50 Things To Put In A Summer Gift Basket
Summer Gift Baskets are the perfect gift for the summer months and a great way to celebrate the season! Summer is a season of celebration that encompasses all things hot summer days! Think the 4th of July, the picnic lunches, beach nights, and all things fresh and beautiful. The perfect gift basket has endless possibilities and is so much fun! I am sharing 50 amazing things you can put in a summer gift basket and hope you find time to celebrate the people you love in this wonderful season.
The Essential List of Summer Gift Baskets
Before we jump into our summer-themed gift baskets, we need to do a little prep work to get our gift ideas the best start possible. This includes a few key items, containers, filler cushion, finishing touches, and gift tags and/or cards! These little touches make summer gifts a little extra special.
Containers
- Wicker Baskets
- Beach Bag
- Coolers
- Folding Coolers
- Wagons
- Gift Box – The basket’s best cousin
- Larger Basket- Think Cotton or other fiber material!
- Large Canvas Bags
Gift BasketFillers
Let’s not contribute to landfills! What can you use as filler? Cloth! Think outside of the box.. basket!
T-shirt , tea towel, bandana, scarf, or even crazy socks!
Traditional fillers are often just tossed in the trash.
Recycle products can be used. Shredded paper, old crumpled newspaper, etc.
Try cushions made with color tea towels, beach towels, picnic blankets, a fun t-shirt! Get Creative, find similar items that cushion!
If you must have shredded paper, try for dye free version or this brand MADE in the USA!
Finishing Touches
I love ribbons. They are the one splurge that simply brings me joy. Add beautifully tied ribbon can be as simple as tying a shoelace style bow to something extravagant with 3 kinds of ribbon and maybe a flower or two tucked into the mix. It gives the gift creator the opportunity to show a little of their own heart for a truly unique gift basket. 
Gift tags can really pop with color and layers or be as simple as an old school postal gift tags that say, “A Gift For You”. The sky is the limit! ENJOY the process! That is the best part of giving, the process and the joy on the receiver’s face!
After all, the whole ideas of baskets is to create something special, so why not explore your inner whimsical creative and make unique summer gift baskets! Life is meant to be enjoyed and gift giving can be a super part of that joy!
Need a few printable gift tags for FREE! Find our new summer set of printable gift tags free to subscribers in Momma Can’s Amazing Library! Register at the end of this post!
Now Let’s Fill Some Baskets!
50 Items for the Best Summer Gift Baskets
Got a Beach or Lake Nearby?
- Beach Towel
- Cosy Summer Blanket
- Beach Tote
- Cute Flip Flops
- Summer Tropical Scented Lotion
- Spray Mister Bottle
- Sunglasses
- Swim Goggles
- Skin Protection
- Bug- AWAY! Spray
Hydrate Happiness And Cold Summer Treats
- Travel Cooler
- Keep It Cool Insulated Cup
- Summer Serving Tray – I love this bamboo tray, comes in two sizes!
- Lemonade Mix and Pitcher
- Fun Straws
- Snow Cone Ice Shaver Machine
- Flavor Syrups
- Ice Cream Maker
- Popsicle Molds
- Flavored Seltzers and Waters , Cans and bottles.
BBQ Mania
- BBQ Apron
- Outdoor Table Cloth
- Fun Chip Clips
- BBQ Sauces
- BBQ Seasonings
Green Thumb
- Herb Pots
- Easy Grow Herb and Seed Packets
- Gardening Gloves
- Trowel
- Pruners
- Watering Can
- Spray Nozzle
Sweet Treats
- Cookies
- Fun Candy – try the dollar store!
- Gourmet Chocolates
- Cake Mix and Frosting
- Cute Summer Apron
- Sprinkles, Chocolate Chips, Marshmallows!
Savory Goodness
- Summer Sausage
- Gourmet Cheeses
- Olive Oil
- Crackers and Parmesan Crisps
- Popcorn
Fun Gift Basket Ideas
- Outdoor Games – Bocce, Checkers, Yard Yahtzee
- Bubbles
- Parachute Play
- Bean Bag Toss
- Outdoor Chalk
- Any art supplies, lots of stickers, paper, canvases, and paint brushes.
Ahh a Spa Day In A Basket!
- Scented Soy Candle
- Essential Oils
- Bubbles
- Bath Salts
- Magazines
- Fun Nail Polish
Summer Gift Basket Ideas
Seasonal Fruit Arrangement Basket – filled with all the summer treats from mama earth!Start with a wonderful container, at least big enough for 6 pieces of yummy summer fruit.
Keep in mind which fruits really need refrigeration to last and don’t be afraid to get some hints for the recipients about their favorite summer fruit treats! For a fun variety, add a small mason jar of nuts, summer themed cocktail napkins and Bam! You have an amazing gift for a friend, coworker, or whoever!
Ideas Galore for Themed Baskets
- Beach Lover Basket – fillet to the brim with lots of beach goodies. If this is your jam, I have wonderful ideas in this post. But for starters… you need a fabulous beach towel. Don’t miss this super popular post for an amazing beach gift basket.
- Tropical Gift Basket – Lushes scents, colors, fruits, nuts, all things pineapple and coconut. Think about using as many of the five senses as you can. Taste, Touch, Scent, Visual, and yes Hearing. You can add a playlist or wind chimes made from bamboo or heck, even a fizzing bath bomb has a delightful sound!
- City In the Summer Vacation – Map of the city or state, lots of snack goodies, travel games, and fun socks and a local ball cap.
- Summer Party in a Basket – A unique gift basket that will make any family member happy!
- Spa Gift Baskets – Luscious soaps, bath salts and lotion with a loofah, some essential oils, and other self-care goodies.
Summer Gift Baskets Continued
- Soak It In Summer Essential Oils – Oil Diffuser, Several Essential Oils
- Give Me Some Fruit! Fruit baskets are always a hit and are clutter free, which is a plus to all moms! Fresh fruits are always a hit for busy households at any time of year! Fill a basket with favorite fruits and yes include a cute tea towel to add a little more pop of color and texture.
- Summer Grilling Gift Baskets – This is one of those you can really enjoy making for the crazy meat grilling guy or gal in your life. Fill it with bbq tools and some amazing craft beers!
- Summer Christmas Gift Baskets – Summer is the best time to knock out a few Christmas Crafts for unique gift giving.
Find some simple kits or find a few DIY ideas on Pinterest. Add the instructions and a pic of the complete craft along with all the goodies needed to make the project!
Summer Goodness Continues - Gourmet Ice Cream Gift Basket – Fill this treat basket with chocolate fudge syrup, caramel, marshmallows, rainbow sprinkles, ice cream cups, a scoop and a yummy jar of maraschino cherries. Add a sweet little tag that says “Just Add Ice Cream”.
- Summer Hostess Gifts in Cute Little Baskets – Keep lots of mini baskets on hand for quick hostess gifts through the summer. Add a couple of cut flowers, scented soap, a small candle, and some hand lotion or even a couple of pieces of fruit. Simple clutter free gifting is always good!
- Paints and Pints – A fun at home beer, pretzels, an amazing dips basket filled with instructions for super simple canvas painting, paints, brushes, easels, and aprons for two or more participants.
- Summer Birthday Gift Basket – I love gifting a simple gourmet gift basket suited to a friend, family member or anyone for their birthday! This works great for as a gift to those you know well, because you have probably witnessed the recipient eating their favorite treats! Add a fun coffee mug or tea towel or gift card and you have the perfect gift! Summer birthdays are the best!
Need More Gift Basket Ideas! You have landed on the right BLOG!
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Great ideas!