Gifts for beach enthusiasts are often nautically themed, but that need not always be the rule. If you have a friend who adores beachcombing because they live by the sea or a shoobie who likes to make frequent beach trips just to take a walk or get fresh air, chances are this passion qualifies them as a beach enthusiast. After all, there are easier places to get exercise, but none have quite the atmosphere of a healthy beach.
Beach enthusiasts are fans of the sand, the sea, the sounds, and the people. At one time, beach fans were called beach bums because it was often said that if they had the opportunity, they would live on the beach. Nowadays, the term beach bum is reserved for hippie surfers and Jimmy Buffet. If your friend enjoys spending afternoons relaxing on the beach, consider the following ten great gifts for beach enthusiasts:
Seashell Identification Guide – Who can forget the sight of Ursula Andress emerging from the surf, a pair of seashells in her hands, and that classic white bikini with a wide white belt and sheathed knife against her thigh? What kind of seashells were those? If you had a seashell identification guide (or if you would have listened to sweet Miss Honey Rider in the bond classic Dr. No, you would have realized those seashells were none other than . . . well, I don’t know what kind of seashells they were either.) Since it’s impractical to bring a laptop to the beach, The Compendium of Seashells by R. Tucker Abbott and S. Peter Dance is an excellent gift for beach enthusiasts. This book has a whopping 4200 species of seashells and is great for collectors or just the curious.
Metal Detector – Great for exercise or hunting for Spanish gold coins, a metal detector gives beach enthusiasts a great hobby in addition to their passion for the sand and sea. Metal detectors are cool inventions, which enable a user to find metal objects which are covered or buried (like the ones they use to see if you’re carrying contraband in the airport.) Beach type metal detectors have four basic parts. The stabilizer fits on your arm to keep the unit steady as you sweep with it. The control box is the brains of the unit. It’s where you can see a reading or hook up your headphones to hear the squeal of detection. The shaft is a typically adjustable arm leading to the end, and the search coil is that end. It is the head that actually finds the stuff under the sand. You can find metal detectors of every variety out there, ranging from under $100 to over $800.
Beach sandals – Beach Sandals like Reef Butter, Privo Ribbon, Earth Tranquil, or Crocs are all thoughtful gifts that Beach Enthusiasts love to receive. A quality pair of comfy sandals is essential frequently purchased gear for beach enthusiasts, as many beachcombers have the tendency to wear favorite sandals out quickly through frequent use.
Seashell Wreath – Give your favorite beach enthusiast the beauty of the sea all the time with a stunning hand-decorated seashell wreath from Orvis. Shells, authentic dehydrated Sea Grass, and hydrangea blossoms preserved for color adorn this sixteen inch wreath which looks lovely any time of year.
Aquarium kit – What better way for beach enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of the beach from their home than with an aquarium set up? With the Seaclear ™ 40 Gallon Regular Jr. Executive Aquarium Kit available from Petsmart, you can purchase a complete basic aquarium set for just $229.99.
Satchel or Messenger bag – A satchel or messenger bag is one of the most essential wardrobe accessories for a beach enthusiast. With a pouch to hold special found treasures like driftwood and sea glass, your favorite beach enthusiast will enjoy having the handy pouch to carry trinkets. If your beach fan is a lady, for just $26, you can give her a Jellyfish Tote adorned with a clever starfish closure, available from Becker Surf.
Skincare Gift Basket – When thinking about all hours of fun in the sun, chances are you have also considered the danger spending an extended period of time outdoors can bring. With skin cancer a common threat to beach fans worldwide, the gift of skincare and thoughtful skin protection is one your favorite beach enthusiast is certain to appreciate. Be sure to consider moisturizer, lip balm, and foot lotion as well to help your favorite sun lover’s skin stay healthy.
Chocolate Shells – One of the sweetest ways to enjoy the treasures of the sea is through the gift of Belgian Chocolate Seashells. These shells have been a favorite confection for many years, and as many chocolaholics know, the very best come from a company called Guylian®. Delicious. Check them out at Chocolate.com.
Kelsys Backpack Recliner Beach Chair – The Kelsyus Reclining Backpack Beach Chair & Canopy is a wonderful beach item that beach lovers will enjoy. It’s compact design folds up for easy portability, and its canopy is a wonderful way to protect against harmful UV rays. For just under $50 from The Comfort Store, you can give the gift of this fabulous beach chair.
Sunglasses – Though it would be impossible to tell just by thinking about your favorite beach enthusiast which sun glasses would be best for their shape of face, giving them a gift card for a local sunglass shop is a wonderful gesture. Sunglasses help protect the eyes from UV and offer comfort from eye strain caused from sun brightness.
Whether you choose a beach themed gift or one that makes a trip to the beach more enjoyable, gifts for beach enthusiasts should be personal and thoughtful. Good luck in selecting the perfect gift for your beach fan, and be sure to have a happy holiday season!
