Do You Have a Shade Umbrella on Your Must-Have List for This Year’s Winter Beach Vacation?
Written by H. Fishman on January 18, 2013
Yes, I know it’s the middle of winter and that right now most people in the U.S. are more concerned with (1) how many layers they have to wear to stay warm outside, and (2) the football playoffs – not necessarily in that order, either – than they are with what they should bring to the beach.
But this is also the time of year when many of those same people, especially from northern climates, head south on vacation to the warmer climates in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. Call it a temporary “mass”-migration – as in all the Red Sox fans escaping the bitter cold of a Massachusetts winter!
(As an aside – if you fellow readers are like me, you’ll agree that there’s nothing more satisfying about a winter vacation than when watching CNN from your warm-weather destination as they report on the big snowstorm or record cold temperatures where you came from. And on the flip side, there’s nothing more aggravating than having your vacation delayed or cancelled by said weather patterns.)
Going on a winter beach vacation? Don’t forget these must-have items – including a portable JoeShade umbrella!
No matter where exactly you’re heading on a trip, or what baseball fans you run into while you’re there, if you’re going on a winter vacation you’re more likely than not to end up on the beach. Rather than getting there and realizing you forgot something at home or back at the house, here’s a list (courtesy of Ocean Holiday Advisor) of what you should remember to bring to the beach with you – this winter, or any other time of the year.
- Lots of Water – The average adult requires 8 full glasses of water each day as recommended by doctors everywhere. This number increases when lying out in the sun. Bring a gallon of water and a couple water bottles so you can always keep one bottle in the cooler and not waste valuable cooler space.
- Good Sunscreen – Remembering the sunscreen is good not just for your wallet, but for your skin as well. A good sunscreen of at least SPF 15 is one of the best ways to prevent premature aging of your skin from being out in the sun. Make sure you know which SPF suits you best. You’ll be happy you did!
- Shade umbrella – A sturdy shade umbrella is a perfect way to keep you or the kids from having to endure all that sunlight, especially if you’re in the sun for long periods of time.
- Extra Blanket – It’s always a good idea to bring a large blanket with you to the beach. That way the beach towels can be used for drying off and you won’t have to worry about wet, sticky sand. Blankets are usually heavier than towels and it will be easier to keep the blanket on the ground rather than blowing away.
- Jug of water for sandy feet – Do you ever find yourself returning from a long day at the beach just to get into the car with half the beach with you? Keep a jug of water in the trunk so you can wash off those sandy feet before you enter the car.
- Change of clothes – How many times have you returned to your car only to have 5 semi-wet people climbing in? Keep a quick change of clothes in the trunk – it can be as simple as some athletic shorts and a t-shirt – you can keep your car’s interior dry.
- Collapsible chairs – A beach chair is a great idea for those who prefer to be on the beach, just not ON the beach.
- Lots of Entertainment – Bring footballs, bocce balls, Frisbees, beach buckets, and any other game activities the whole family can enjoy.
- Book or Magazine – Vacations are meant for relaxing, and my favorite way to unwind is by burying myself in a good book while sitting on the beach. If you have a book sitting on a shelf at home that you haven’t found the time to read, the beach is the perfect place to play catch up!
- First Aid Kit – It’s always best to keep a little first aid kit either in your car or with you at the beach – you’ll be surprised at how handy that will be. You never know if you’ll accidentally cut yourself on a sharp rock or piece of shell and need a band-aid.
- Flip-flops – These are a great thing to have when trekking across the hot sand towards the water’s edge. It’s never fun to put socks and shoes back on with sandy, wet feet – although it is fun to wear flip-flops in the winter instead of layers of wool socks like you would be at home!
- Sunglasses – This may be an obvious choice, but to those who don’t wear sunglasses regularly, you may forget them at home. Of course, once you’re at the beach, make sure to keep track of them, especially if you have a history of losing your sunglasses like I do!
Take the JoeShade umbrella on vacation with you!
Staying protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays is an essential way to avoid sun damage to your skin, one of the risk factors for skin cancer. Did you know that just one sunburn every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer?
While in the sun for long periods of time, like you may be while on a winter beach vacation, use a combination of shade, clothing, and sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. Don’t think that since it’s winter, you won’t get sunburned!
The JoeShade portable umbrella with UV protection is the perfect way to bring shade with you to the beach. Our shade umbrella is unique in its sun safety features – they’re made with a special fabric specifically designed to block harmful UV rays. It’s easy to carry with you, and even easier to set up when you get there, making the JoeShade a great addition to anyone’s must-have beach list!
JoeShade umbrellas love the warm weather – post a comment below and let us know if you’re taking one with you on vacation this winter!
