Ultimate Summer Fun List – 10 Items to Help Enjoy the Summer
The first thing to remember is that the Ultimate Summer Fun List is to help create and curate a pleasurable summer season:
- Sun Hat
- Summer Straw Purse
- Blank Postcards & Art Supplies
- Journal or Sketchbook or Photo Album
- Garden Gloves
- Flower Scissors & Flower Frogs
- Bubbles & Sidewalk Chalk
- Backpack & Water Bottle
- Walking Sandals
- Blanket for Picnics & Star Gazing
Here are the Reasons Why I believe These Items Help Me Enjoy the Summer
With this purpose in mind, the 10 items for an ultimate summer fun list will help you enjoy the summer with style, fun, and memories.
#1. Sun Hat
A sun hat that protects your face and hair from the sun, especially my colored hair ~ wink. I like a crushable one that I can throw in a beach bag, backpack, or luggage. I have worn one for years at golf tournaments, working in the yard and at flea markets. I have a Spring / Summer board pinned with hat ideas on Pinterest.
#2. Straw Purse
Nothing is more nostalgic for summer than a straw purse. I admit I have a collection of them (one even perfect for the Kentucky Derby). There are large ones for beach bags, small crossbody versions for art and antique fairs, clutches for dinners and parties, and traditional handbags. Sadly, I lost the cutest vintage formal clutch at a wedding when I stuck it in my husband’s suit coat pocket—I am still looking for a replacement.
#3. Blank Postcards and Art Supplies
I have added postcards to this year’s list. I love sending postcards when we travel, so I decided to make some this year and send them from this beautiful travel location called Home. This idea is shared in a blog, An Herbal SunArt Project.
#4. Journal, Sketchbook, Photo Album
This journal is a place to write down a Personal Summer Activity List and keep photos and mementos. I use my Curated Life Journal and a Photo Album, which I drop pictures into online, write captions/memories, leave space for souvenir tickets, and print in September. Here is an example of a small album for a simple photo album filled with souvenirs.
#5. Garden Gloves
I purchase a new pair and a backup pair every year. I like the kind that has rubber over the fingers and palms. These rubbers withstand water better than others. The reason for the backup pair is to take a pair off when one pair is soppy wet. Besides, taking better care of my hands and nails is part of my New Year’s resolution of better self-care.
#6. Flower Scissors & Flower Frogs
I am a big fan of always having flowers in the house. Often, I use a flower from pruning or come across one perfect flower when I pass it by. In a few weeks, I will have a video and handout showing how to make a simple arrangement of one to five flowers. Please keep an eye out for it. I will send out a message when it is available. I can send you the handout sooner; just message me through Facebook.
#7. Bubbles & Sidewalk Chalk
You are always young enough to blow bubbles or write in sidewalk chalk. What better way to welcome family and friends when they come over? I keep a big jar of bubbles by my back door and swirl bubbles every chance I can. To explain how to make your bubbles, I use one part Dawn dish soap and four parts Water. A side note: We had dozens of these wands and bubbles outside at my daughter’s wedding for the kids to play with. We purchased them from Etsy; there are many available there.
#8. Backpack & Water Bottle
These are must-haves for Adventuring! Use them on everyday walks to enjoy nature. These two items are necessary for exploring farm markets, art fairs, free outdoor events, and flea / antique markets on the weekends. I also use one for traveling. Pick one that calls to you and your style—so many styles of both let you shine through. (And it doesn’t have to be utilitarian: have some fun searching out the perfect ones for you.)
#9. Walking Sandals
Stylish and your color ~ wink, what better way to walk through summer? Please don’t skimp here; you will put some miles on these enjoying the summer. I have loved two pairs these past several years: one pair, Børn, and the other pair, Merrell. I purchased them at low prices at the end of one summer because I had never worn those brands before and was unsure if they were worth their price. They were, and I wore them for many years. I have since replaced them and am going back to the same brand.
(Okay, I will be genuinely transparent—these are the only flat sandals I have worn. I am a wedge or high-heel girl, wink wink. Right now, I have a group of friends nodding and saying, ‘Oh, Yeah.’ LOL.) Please let me know if I need to check out any other brand.
#10. Blanket for Picnics & Star Gazing
Need I say more? We need to do more of these things in our lives, even if we are lying down in our backyard. Or on the porch. When was the last time you made the time to watch summer meteor showers? Or have you had a picnic at the park or beach?
I have checked out these places for stargazing information. There are many options, from printouts to going to a planetarium. I found a few websites to reference what is in my night sky. To begin with, look up TimeandDate.com and EarthSky.org. Another website to check out is one that shows a view of your night sky.
Danine G Cozzens says
Great list! For our coastal California “summer”, I just purchased a new straw tote that holds book/laptop, handwork, plus a light sweater/shawl for aggressive air conditioning or sudden fog. It’s nice having most of this staged to go as I’m now the designated driver for my husband’s musical gigs.
Bobbi Calkins says
I’m glad you like it! I can envision you with your tote and shawl, enjoying his music.