6 Ways to Make Summer Special Again
Summer used to be this wonderful magical time when anything could happen. We were out of school for three glorious months and all we really had to worry about was what to play and who to play it with. Summer seemed to stretch on forever, filled with pool parties and swimming lessons, sleepovers and movie nights, picnics and games. There was an abundance of watermelon, lemonade and popsicles. We got to stay up late and sleep in. And for my family there was always the family summer vacation. Everywhere from amusement parks like Lagoon and Knott's Berry Farm to camping trips.
I remember looking forward to summer every year and not caring if it was 118 outside. But once I got out of school and got a job, summer kind of lost it's magic. So here are a few things I like to do to make summer still feel a little special.
Scented Candles
I love candles. And I get most of mine at Walmart. My favorite summer scent is Mainstays Strawberry Lemonade. I like to get the one in the jar with three wicks for only about $3. It smells amazing! When placed on a table I can smell it throughout the whole living room. And when the wicks are gone I pour some boiling water into the jar and the remaining wax comes to the top. When it's solid again I can just pull it out, break it up, and use it in my Scentsy! So pick a scent that says summer to you and revel in the season!
Popsicles
My parents and grandparents always had popsicles in the freezer when I was growing up. Everything from twin pops to otter pops to homemade Koolaid ones. In the past, Justin and I have gotten the cheap brand of the otter pop kind, but this year I finally talked him into getting a popsicle mold for about a dollar. So far we've made lavender lemonade popsicles and frozen yogurt pops, but anything will work. Which leads us into the next point.
Lemonade
I love flavored lemonade. My favorite to make is lavender lemonade. It's one of those things that most people either love or hate. (Here's a good recipe if you want to try it.) My all time favorite is huckleberry lemonade, but I can't seem to find huckleberries in the store. Lemonade always makes me think of summer. But you don't have to have lemonade. You can do Koolaid, or juice, or anything that makes you feel like a kid again.
Paint Your Nails
For me this was mostly a summer activity, although we almost always did something for every holiday. My sister and I used to paint fun designs on our nails every summer. Everything from strawberries to flip flops to beach balls. Find a fun summer color or design that you love and show it off.
Flip Flops and Bare Feet
Unless it's cold outside, I hate wearing shoes! In the summer time I always go barefoot as much as possible. If I have to go outside I'll wear flip flops. (I have to wear sneakers for work now, so my feet are going crazy in this heat!) I used to buy the dollar flip flops at Walmart back when they had the bamboo looking inner soles. Those would last me at least two years. But then they quit selling those ones and switched to the squishy foamy ones and those always fall apart on me after about a month or so. The point is do what makes you comfortable!
Take Some Time
Summer used to be about having all the time in the world to do whatever we wanted. So take some time to do things that make you feel like a kid again. Build a fort in the living room. Maybe even spend the night in it. Have a water balloon fight after work. Or use squirt guns. Go swimming with your friends on the weekend. Or have a cook out and make s'mores. Go for a hike, on a camping trip or to the beach. Just do something that you did as a kid that makes you think, "This is what summer is all about." And remember to take some time for yourself. Even if all you can do is close the bedroom door and enjoy some peace and quiet (or at least muffle the noise a little). Read a book or take a bath, but get back to your love of summer!
Do you do anything special for summer fun? I would love to hear about it. I'd also love to hear how any of these worked out for you if you try them. Happy Summer!
I remember looking forward to summer every year and not caring if it was 118 outside. But once I got out of school and got a job, summer kind of lost it's magic. So here are a few things I like to do to make summer still feel a little special.
Scented Candles
I love candles. And I get most of mine at Walmart. My favorite summer scent is Mainstays Strawberry Lemonade. I like to get the one in the jar with three wicks for only about $3. It smells amazing! When placed on a table I can smell it throughout the whole living room. And when the wicks are gone I pour some boiling water into the jar and the remaining wax comes to the top. When it's solid again I can just pull it out, break it up, and use it in my Scentsy! So pick a scent that says summer to you and revel in the season!
Popsicles
My parents and grandparents always had popsicles in the freezer when I was growing up. Everything from twin pops to otter pops to homemade Koolaid ones. In the past, Justin and I have gotten the cheap brand of the otter pop kind, but this year I finally talked him into getting a popsicle mold for about a dollar. So far we've made lavender lemonade popsicles and frozen yogurt pops, but anything will work. Which leads us into the next point.
Lemonade
I love flavored lemonade. My favorite to make is lavender lemonade. It's one of those things that most people either love or hate. (Here's a good recipe if you want to try it.) My all time favorite is huckleberry lemonade, but I can't seem to find huckleberries in the store. Lemonade always makes me think of summer. But you don't have to have lemonade. You can do Koolaid, or juice, or anything that makes you feel like a kid again.
Paint Your Nails
For me this was mostly a summer activity, although we almost always did something for every holiday. My sister and I used to paint fun designs on our nails every summer. Everything from strawberries to flip flops to beach balls. Find a fun summer color or design that you love and show it off.
Flip Flops and Bare Feet
Unless it's cold outside, I hate wearing shoes! In the summer time I always go barefoot as much as possible. If I have to go outside I'll wear flip flops. (I have to wear sneakers for work now, so my feet are going crazy in this heat!) I used to buy the dollar flip flops at Walmart back when they had the bamboo looking inner soles. Those would last me at least two years. But then they quit selling those ones and switched to the squishy foamy ones and those always fall apart on me after about a month or so. The point is do what makes you comfortable!
Take Some Time
Summer used to be about having all the time in the world to do whatever we wanted. So take some time to do things that make you feel like a kid again. Build a fort in the living room. Maybe even spend the night in it. Have a water balloon fight after work. Or use squirt guns. Go swimming with your friends on the weekend. Or have a cook out and make s'mores. Go for a hike, on a camping trip or to the beach. Just do something that you did as a kid that makes you think, "This is what summer is all about." And remember to take some time for yourself. Even if all you can do is close the bedroom door and enjoy some peace and quiet (or at least muffle the noise a little). Read a book or take a bath, but get back to your love of summer!
Do you do anything special for summer fun? I would love to hear about it. I'd also love to hear how any of these worked out for you if you try them. Happy Summer!
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