The Summer Holiday Beach Bag: What to Pack Between Christmas and New Year
Between Christmas and New Year, the whole country seems to head for the coast. The days are long, the calendar is empty, and the only real decision is which beach. Pack this bag once, keep it by the door, and you'll be ready whenever the mood strikes.
The Bag Itself
Start with something big enough that you're not playing Tetris at 8am. The Dolly Beach Tote takes a towel, a book and lunch with room to spare, and The Towel Tote is a towel and a bag in one, which is ideal when you're travelling light.
The Checklist
- A sand-free towel. The Lido and The Riviera shake clean and dry quickly, so you're not carrying half the beach back to the car.
- Sun protection. Broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapplied every two hours and after swimming, plus a hat and sunglasses. The Riviera Bucket Hat folds flat into the bag.
- Water, and more water. A big insulated bottle, frozen overnight, stays cold for hours.
- Something for the hair. A silk-feel scarf for the drive home with the windows down.
- A dry bag for wet swimmers. The Bikini Bag keeps everything else in your tote dry.
- A cover-up for the walk to lunch. A Turkish towel works as a sarong, too.
- A good book, and a phone kept in the shade so it doesn't overheat.
- Snacks that cope with heat: fruit, crackers, and anything that won't melt.
For a Lazier Day by the Water
If you're spending the break at a holiday house with a pool, add a float. The Lido Ring packs down small, and the Drift Hammock is made for floating with your feet in the water and nowhere to be.
Before You Head Home
Shake out the towels, rinse anything that's been in the salt water, and leave the tote packed for tomorrow. That's the whole secret to a good summer: make it easy to go again.
