What gifts to take to a beach house

[Anonymous]

We have two upcoming beach vacations and we will be staying at our friend’s beach houses. Both friends are dh’s friends and we do not regularly see them, especially during this pandemic. Both families are affluent and I can’t think of anything to buy to take as gifts. We plan to take some good alcohol. I would like to get something for the kids.

Can you recommend gifts for the following ages?

-7yo girl
-two 11 year old girls
-11 yo boy

Typical gifts like towels, beach toys, puzzles, board games don’t seem nice enough.

Last year, I gifted fishing poles and kites.

[Anonymous]

It's nice of you to think of the kids. DH's parents had a beach house on the Outer Banks and he said nobody who stayed with his parents (and there were a lot of people) ever brought him anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two upcoming beach vacations and we will be staying at our friend’s beach houses. Both friends are dh’s friends and we do not regularly see them, especially during this pandemic. Both families are affluent and I can’t think of anything to buy to take as gifts. We plan to take some good alcohol. I would like to get something for the kids.

Can you recommend gifts for the following ages?

-7yo girl
-two 11 year old girls
-11 yo boy

Typical gifts like towels, beach toys, puzzles, board games don’t seem nice enough.

Last year, I gifted fishing poles and kites.

I am affluent and have a beach house and I don't think any gifts are necessary but I also think if someone brought puzzles or board games for the kids we'd all be thrilled. Personally, we have dozens of beach towels and also beach toys, so we don't need any more of that gear, but something for the kids to play with is nice.

If you wanted to do something fancier you could get nice beach cover ups, but I also have two girls so I'm not sure if I had sons they would want that. To go along with the good alcohol for the adults you could bring a sno-cone machine and syrup for the kids - we have that and it's always a hit with guests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two upcoming beach vacations and we will be staying at our friend’s beach houses. Both friends are dh’s friends and we do not regularly see them, especially during this pandemic. Both families are affluent and I can’t think of anything to buy to take as gifts. We plan to take some good alcohol. I would like to get something for the kids.

Can you recommend gifts for the following ages?

-7yo girl
-two 11 year old girls
-11 yo boy

Typical gifts like towels, beach toys, puzzles, board games don’t seem nice enough.

Last year, I gifted fishing poles and kites.

I am affluent and have a beach house and I don't think any gifts are necessary but I also think if someone brought puzzles or board games for the kids we'd all be thrilled. Personally, we have dozens of beach towels and also beach toys, so we don't need any more of that gear, but something for the kids to play with is nice.

If you wanted to do something fancier you could get nice beach cover ups, but I also have two girls so I'm not sure if I had sons they would want that. To go along with the good alcohol for the adults you could bring a sno-cone machine and syrup for the kids - we have that and it's always a hit with guests.

Thank you for the comment.

I will get some beach cover ups for the girls. One of the dads is a widower. In the past, I loaded up his girls with American Girl doll accessories but I think they may have outgrown dolls.

I was considering water guns and balloons to take. My kids love these. DH thinks the water balloons are a pain to clean up. They are fun though.

[Anonymous]

Homemade cookies. (Or incredible bakery cookies that star homemade)

Or ask the parents what outdoor games they have. Buy one that will also be fun for your kids while there.

[Anonymous]

They make reusable water balls, that act like water balloons.

Light up lawn darts are fun, but I don't know who would have them in stock.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EastPoint-Sports-Light-Up-Lawn-Darts-Game-Set-Entertaining-Outdoor-Game-Includes-Four-Light-Up-Soft-Tipped-Lawn-Darts-Two-Light-Up-Target-Rings-Set-G/560583264

[Anonymous]

I like the sno cone machine idea! I’d get a group gift like this. Otherwise, any type of games or treats they can enjoy at the beach is also a good idea. I don’t think individual gift is necessary and, frankly, would prefer my kids not get gifts when it’s not their bday.

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm...we just left a family member’s fancy beach house and just resupplied their pantry and refrigerator with full bottles of anything we used; olive oil, balsamic vinegar, condiments, beer, cans of seltzer, mixers.

Also left Bombay Sapphire.

They kind of have everything, are practical and specific.

Could you buy gift cards to the kids’ favorite beach ice cream place or toy store or amusement pier? Leave gift certificates at the house with a thank you in their rooms?

My ILs have a modest condo at a beach. The few times we visited I always left a gift. MIL told me to stop, that we are family and to consider it my/our home.

[Anonymous]

Ok sorry, but why are you going to someone's beach house who you don't see regularly during a pandemic?

This is terrible idea.

[Anonymous]

Kids don't need anything expensive - maybe pick up some freeze-pops and glow bracelets/necklaces for running around the beach at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two upcoming beach vacations and we will be staying at our friend’s beach houses. Both friends are dh’s friends and we do not regularly see them, especially during this pandemic. Both families are affluent and I can’t think of anything to buy to take as gifts. We plan to take some good alcohol. I would like to get something for the kids.

Can you recommend gifts for the following ages?

-7yo girl
-two 11 year old girls
-11 yo boy

Typical gifts like towels, beach toys, puzzles, board games don’t seem nice enough.

Last year, I gifted fishing poles and kites.

The word "gift" is not a damn verb! Gifted is an adjective, as in "gifted child."
Stop murdering the English language.

[Anonymous]

Some fun newer board games
Coloring books and really nice pens
GC to the local bookstore

[Anonymous]

We have a beach house and frequently have guests - rarely do they bring gifts, that’s so thoughtful of you! A dozen cupcakes, wine, cookies, etc. are always good. A great family gift is a soda stream machine - ours is in constant use by my DH for club soda and flavored waters and by the kids for soda. The snow cone machine also sounds great - I keep seeing the snow ur shaved ice machine advertised and it would be perfect for the preteen crowd.

For kids, corn hole and spike ball are great games and the idea of gift cards to ice cream stores or the beach candy store are a hit. The girls also might love pedicure kits and nail polish.

[Anonymous]

^ oops - the snowie shaved ice machine.

[Anonymous]

High end booze is always appreciated, plus a dozen bakery cupcakes for the family.