4th of July Packing List

It’s summer time! Which means one thing: 4th of July is right around the corner. When I say I love the 4th, I LOVE the 4th. It’s always been a fun week for me because my birthday is a few days after, so it’s a great time to take off work, reset, and enjoy some time with friends and family. This year is no different.

For the last 5 years of so, it’s been a tradition to head down to the Jersey shore for a few days and relax on the beach before celebrating with my family in Pennsylvania. The hardest part for me has always been packing. How do I know what I’ll want to wear for the next week? And am I going to forget something? And what happens when I most certainly forget something super important? Luckily, I’ve created a packing list to help you (and me) make sure you have all your holiday weekend/beach essentials!

First and foremost: sunscreen. Sunscreen. More sunscreen. If you remember nothing else, please remember sunscreen. I’m sure no one wants to be in pain all weekend because they insist they “don’t burn” on day one and end up fried. Don’t be that person–put on the sunscreen. I’m partial to the spray-on sunscreen, just make sure you don’t miss any spots. I use this for my face. After a day in the sun, I love this lotion for a cool-down.

Next up: a bathing suit. I write this more for myself than anyone else: you do NOT need to bring 5 bathing suits if you are going somewhere for 4 days. And if you didn’t wear something in your day-to-day, you aren’t going to wear it on vacation. Save yourself the time and energy packing all that “just in case” stuff, and leave it at home.

I sincerely hope you are able to decompress the entire weekend, but if you’re anything like my boyfriend, you’re going to need to do something work related. Or maybe you have to work the first day you are there, and then you can relax. Either way, your work computer and charger may be needed. Don’t forget the charger!

Something new I’m adding to my packing list this year is my BrüMate, and I am really excited about it. The idea is simple: it keeps your drink cold. They have a ton of options depending on what you’re looking for i.e. do you want to keep your can cold, your drink cold, or even an entire bottle of wine. The color selection is also great–I ended up getting the glitter mermaid color.

In that same vein, you need a cooler! The best parts of the beach (in my opinion) are the snacks and drinks! A BrüMate will handle your drink, but you still need to keep your sandwiches, fruit, and whatever else you decide to bring cool. Do not forget the cooler this 4th of July.

If you’re anything like me, you love reading a good book on the beach. I usually bring 1-2 with me for a beach trip, just in case. If you need inspiration, check out my list of 5 summer must-reads. Same note with the bathing suits applies here; you do not need to pack your entire library for a few days. Be realistic with what you will read, and stick with that. You don’t need to go overboard, or your bag will get very heavy, very fast.

Finally, don’t forget about your footwear. I’d recommend bringing a pair of sneakers and a pair of flip flops or sandals. I love to wake up before it gets too hot and go for a walk along the boardwalk, and wear my flip flops for the beach. I’ve found that if I don’t list both of these here, I’ll pack one and not the other.

A few last things I want to call out by name, just in case: towel, chairs, umbrella, headphones, keys, wallet, hat, and a mask! With that, you should be all set for your 4th of July. Are there any must-haves that I’ve forgotten? Anything you swear by using for sunburns? Let me know in the comments! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.