Gifts on a Theme

Best Beach Themed Gift Ideas

It probably comes as no surprise that beach themed gift ideas are all over the place. From jewelry to home decor to phone and tablet covers, beach scenes and beach inspired objects abound. I think it’s safe to say that love of the beach is a popular notion. But why? Your reason for loving it maybe very different than someone else’s. And the same reason someone else loves it might be your reason for not loving it.

If you need a gift for someone you know loves the beach, you might want to do some recon. What is it about the beach he or she loves? Is it simply being away from home and taking a break from routine? Does the wide open horizon inspire a sense of freedom? Is it the scent of sand and sea, or the squishy feeling of sand between their toes? Maybe there are fond memories evoked. Maybe they don’t actually even like going, they just find the colors pleasing. Once you have a grasp on the senses and emotions that draw them, you’ll be better able to chose an appropriate gift.

Be aware that there are a lot of cheap plastic party accessories and favors out there with a beach theme. You’ll probably want to stay away from those if you’re looking for a special gift. Here are a few collections of potential beach themed gift ideas I discovered. Of note, I left out the typical “going to the beach” stuff like beach towels, sun umbrellas, etc. I’m sure you can find those without assistance.

Beach Accessories

Ok, so I didn’t exclude all the typical beach going paraphernalia. Sunglasses could be a great gift, especially if you know your gift recipient has a specific brand or style in mind. Other choices could be a wide brimmed sun hat or a tote bag. And of course there are beach themed t-shirts.

Home Decor and More

Beach themed home decor is nothing new. I’m not sure a beachy shower curtain or toothbrush holder is a great gift idea, but they’re out there if you choose to go that route. Other items that might make more sense include throw pillows, clocks, wall art, and candles. Photo frames are great for honoring a favorite memory. An ornament would be great for the holidays, and can also serve as a memento.

If you’re looking for something smaller, or more useful, you can also find practical items such as wine stoppers, bottle openers, and coasters.

Jewelry

The beach themed jewelry options range in quality from Swarovski to gumball machine. Definitely read the reviews before making a selection. Having said that, jewelry can be a great option for men or women. A charm or pendant could be strung on a cord or a chain, according to preference. Sand dollars and star fish (oh right, sea stars) can have religious sentiment as well.

Phone and Tablet Cases

Yes, of course. There is a great selection of options for beach themed cases. The tricky part might be discovering the model of your gift recipient’s phone or tablet, though.

Other Ideas

Thinking about mementos and more personal gifts, I had a few other ideas.

You could go with the mixed tape idea. For those who don’t know what that is, I’m talking about creating a collection of 10-15 songs and putting the mp3s on a USB drive or ipod or phone or CD or cloud. In this case, all the songs would be about the beach, or maybe sun or water.  It’s actually kind of fun, once you get started.

If you live near a beach, you could write something sentimental in the sand, take a photo, then frame it.

Along the same lines, you could create a beach “memory” box using a shadow box frame. Inside, you could add blue paint or paper to the back, add a photo of a great beach day you shared, then add small items from a craft store at the bottom: a little bit of sand, a mini sand castle or some shells, maybe a tiny treasure chest, a beach ball, or a tiny picnic basket. Whatever brings back good memories.

Which idea did you like best? Do you have other ideas to add? Share your suggestions in the comments.