City keepsakes range from traditional to odd

When it comes to unique keepsakes, Las Vegas is the souvenir capital of the world.

However, dice clocks and Strip snow globes are so de rigueur these days that unusual souvenirs have become, well, usual.

Still, there are plenty of offbeat selections for the oddball who is willing to get out and look. You'll probably find that it's not so hard to be different; all it takes is a little effort and an open mind. Here are some places to start:

• Gamblers General Store, 800 S. Main St.

Unique souvenirs are the name of the game at Gamblers General Store, says buyer Wendy Rock.

"We're always looking for new items," Rock says. "We're always trying to accommodate people who are looking for this, that and the other."

Parking meters ($129) from Fremont Street are big sellers; they're nostalgic and a little weird as far as souvenirs go. They come with an authentication certificate that states the meters were city property.

Poker card guards (from $10) will make a person feel special, as they come in 25 different styles, Rock says. The small guards, which card players place on top of their hand to let the dealer know they're still in, look like metal coins. There are a variety of designs, including frowny faces, Chinese characters and four leaf clovers.

• Bonanza Gifts Shop, 2460 Las Vegas Blvd. South

A replica of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is one of the more popular souvenirs these days so there's nothing offbeat about that. But the various forms the sign takes qualify it for the downright odd category.

There's the 24-inch inflatable "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign for $6.99. When this polyurethane souvenir has served its purpose of just sitting there, it can double as a flotation device or an oddly shaped beach ball.

Then, there's the Fun Size sign. The 6-inch sign is a replica of the real thing, complete with working lights. According to the box, it's compact enough to fit in any suitcase or carry-on. Unlike the real sign.

If you don't want to leave the pooch out of the Sin City fun, pick up the official Las Vegas souvenir, the Vegas Chew Toy ($5.99). It's in the shape of, what else? The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. Dogs get to chew up and spit out Las Vegas, while Las Vegas chews you up and spits you out. That seems fair.

And, if you need a reminder of where all your money went, look no further than the Las Vegas piggy bank ($5.99). It will collect and hold your meager savings, just like a slot machine. However, unlike a slot machine, the piggy bank takes coins. The ceramic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" pig proudly sports a painting of the sign on its side. Will this souvenir raise eyebrows? You can bank on it.

Unlike the sign souvenirs, the Holy Toast! Miracle Bread Stamper ($6.99) doesn't have Las Vegas written on it. But what says Las Vegas better than a stamp that leaves the Virgin Mary's silhouette on a piece of bread? You take the stamper and press it into a piece of bread then toast for your very own holy vision in whole wheat. As the package claims, everyone will "Behold a miracle!" It beats the heck out of the stigmata bread slicer.

Some people will be happy to learn that the Strip condenses into a 3-foot-wide, one-dimensional representation. In 750 pieces, the Panoramic Puzzle ($15.99) depicts a panoramic overview of the Strip in its full, lighted glory at night. In addition, it has one extra feature that makes it a truly offbeat souvenir: It glows in the dark. Enough said.

Those who want to take home their very own slot machine can with Lucky Jim Jackpot. The One-Armed Bandit action figure ($10.99) has reel-spinning action. The figure, which looks more like a lumberjack, has a movable arm that spins the reels on a mini-slot machine that doubles as its chest. Nothing comes out, though, illustrating that its only purpose is to taunt you.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-4564.