Summer Gift Bag Ideas

Pouches for Pool Pals
Make it easy for your friend to break away and go splash around in the sun. When choosing your beach bag, look for totes made of natural materials like canvas, cloth, woven wicker or grass. These materials breathe well and help keep the items inside cooler. Here are a few ideas to get you started filling the bag:

• Roll up a decorative beach towel and tie it with raffia or ribbon.
• Gather a few magazines or include a good book from your personal list of favorites.
• A bright, floppy hat won’t just keep the sun out of her eyes. It will also add a nice visual touch to the bag.
• Help keep her skin safe from harmful rays. Sample-sized bottles of sunscreen are the perfect size to toss in.
• To make it extra special, drop in a gift card for a nearby ice cream stand or café.
• Including a waterproof, disposable camera will help her capture her warm weather memories without having to worry about her digital camera getting wet or lost.

Packed with Pet Love
A pet-themed bag is the perfect homemade gift for any pet enthusiast. Depending on the goodies you choose to place inside, it can function as a starter kit for a new pet owner or a great to-go bag for the dog park. Either way, make sure that the bag you choose will hang easily on a wall hook or the back of a door for simple storage and easy access. Next, you’re ready to fill it up with these items and more:

• For a new pet, include common supplies like toys and treats. You can also pick up a small how-to book about pet care if this is her first experience owning one.
• Consider making a personalized collar. Read this article to learn how to emboss a leather collar. For a puppy, you could also try a bandana or outfit.
• For an extra treat, include a brush and a gift certificate for grooming.
• Another great idea is a picture frame so she can display her furry friend at home or show them off at work.

Fit for Toting
Whether your friend has always considered fitness as a passion or she’s working toward a healthier lifestyle, this homemade gift makes getting out to exercise a little bit easier. Plus, it may just be the push she needs to exceed her goals. There are many ways you can customize it to her interests, but here are a few basic starters:

• Choose items that reflect her favorite forms of exercise. Try small hand weights for a lifter, a jump rope for a cardio lover or a mat for a yoga enthusiast.
• A great playlist is essential to a fun workout. Include an armband for her mp3 player or an mp3 gift card so she can download her favorite workout songs.
• If she’s new to the gym, include a small combination lock that will keep her purse safe while she exercises.
• Roll up a few colorful hand towels to wipe off gym machines and fitness mats.
• Add bottles of water or a stylish refillable canteen so that keeping hydrated is easy.
• Help her keep the hair out of her face with extra hair bands and headbands. You can even buy athletic styles that grip into place more effectively.

A Bargain Hunter’s Bag
Some people just have a knack for finding the best deals. If that’s your friend, then we’ve got the perfect way to make her shopping even more fun and easy. This homemade gift will help keep everything she needs for hunting down a great buy, plus it provides room for carrying her finds. When choosing a bag, look for a large durable, canvas tote with thick straps so it’s comfortable to carry. Here are some things to consider including:

• Make list-writing simple with a pen and a small notebook that she can keep in her shopping bag.
• A small accordion folder can help her keep coupons organized.
• Include a small, inexpensive calculator for adding up her savings.
• Consider tossing in a few extra foldable bags for bigger shopping trips.
• To make it extra special, include a gift card or two to your friend’s favorite stores inside a charming, inexpensive change purse.

A Naturally Great Satchel
For nature lovers, this is the best time of year, filled with hiking, camping and other outdoor fun. This bag is sure to make summer adventures seem easier than ever. Look for a bag with backpack-style straps for a cozy, hands-free fit that’s perfect for long walks. Then add a few items like these:

• In case a great park or nature preserve may be hiding right under her nose, include an assortment of maps for local hiking trails and brochures. They’ll help to spark new ideas for camping, biking and canoeing activities.
• Make a bag of healthy, homemade Peanut and Fruit Granola with this easy recipe. Then tie the bag with a bow for a personal touch.
• Inexpensive binoculars and a book about local flowers, trees or animals will make nature observation fun and a little educational too.
• A small first aid kit will help her keep herself and her family safe whether they’re venturing into the woods or out on the water.
• Include some simple picnic items like camping plates and utensils. Or, read this article to create an all-in-one picnic tote for your friend.

With these ideas, you can start creating one of the homemade gifts we suggest or think of your very own theme. Whatever tote you end up gifting, it will be a thoughtful way to show how well you know your friend and it will remind her of you each time she enjoys her favorite interest.