32 Summer Gift Ideas for All Budgets
Summer Gift Ideas That Your Family & Friends Will Really Use
After what feels like an eternity of staying indoors for the sake of public health, the summer that we have spent more than a year waiting for is finally here. The sun is out, and you can finally attend the backlog of family reunions, graduation celebrations, weddings, and birthday parties (responsibly and safely, of course!). With all these events ahead, you might be overwhelmed with gift-giving.
Our team at OVALWARE has exercised our love for great design and functionality and compiled a list of gifts for every type of person in your life. While your presence is undoubtedly a present in itself, look below for some additional gift ideas, fit for every type of person in your life - from the homebody to the jetsetter, from the coffee-drinker to the cooking fanatic. We hope this gift guide makes the return to normal social life just a little easier for you!
Here are the gifts, categorized by each type of friend and sorted by budget:
Gifts for All
The gifts in this list are fun, unique, and bound to amuse that person in your life that everyone always says is difficult to buy gifts for.
1. For the one that doesn’t like material items: KODAK Disposable Film Camera ($14.74)
Material things aren’t for everyone. If this reminds you of someone you know, perhaps the best gift for this friend is the ability to capture and preserve a memory forever. Film cameras allow you to capture moments, feelings, and sceneries with the push of a button - and can be easily stowed away for you to enjoy the rest of your day without worrying about if the photo turned out okay. If you know someone who likes to live in the moment, this is a great gift for them!
Get the KODAK FunSaver 35mm Single Use Camera
2. For the one that loves shared memories: OVALWARE Double Wall Tasting Glass ($26.99)
So many memories are made to the clink of glasses - freshly brewed lattes enjoyed around the kitchen island, summer spritzers poured over ice shared on the lawn. Give your friend a set of Double Wall Insulated Glass Cups that they can enjoy with friends and family. Our Double Wall Tasting Glass Cups are designed with the ultimate tasting experience in mind: the double walls insulate hot and cold drinks alike, and the unique shape enhances the delicate nuances and flavors of your drink. *
Get OVALWARE’s Double Wall Tasting Glass Cup
*All OVALWARE glass products come with a Glass Quality Guarantee.
3. For the one that loves a good multi-purpose gift: OVALWARE RJ3 Cold Brew Maker ($31.99 / $39.99)
The age-old debate, coffee or tea?, does not need to be settled. This cold brew maker is versatile in that it doesn’t just make cold brew! While this gift can be used to create cold brew concentrate that is smooth and less acidic in two easy steps (just fill with coffee grinds and brew!), it can also be used for iced tea and hot coffee just as easily. Doesn’t hurt that the cold brew maker’s sleek design looks great on the kitchen shelf - and fits perfectly into the fridge.*
Get the OVALWARE RJ3 Cold Brew Maker in two sizes: 1.0L or 1.5L
*All OVALWARE glass products come with a Glass Quality Guarantee.
4. For the one that forgets to water their plants: Dry Flower Bouquet ($59-68)
While some turn to fake plants to do the trick of keeping their living spaces vibrant, why not opt for some real flowers - that have been dried and will therefore stick around for a good number of years? The flower bouquets from The Sill are arranged whimsically with pops of color along with neutral tones. Snag a bouquet for a friend and brighten up their day - literally!
Get The Sill’s Linum Burgundy Bouquet
Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
For our outdoorsy friends, those that enjoy backpacking/hiking and those that simply like to be under the sun, this following list has great gifts to make their outdoor activities even more enjoyable.
5. For the one that drinks coffee on the go: AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker ($29.95)
As much as coffee is sorely needed after hours of hiking, it’s hard to whip out the pour over coffee maker set and electric kettle during a backpacking trip. The AeroPress coffee maker is where coffee meets the outdoors. A coffee press that brews coffee rapidly without bitterness and high acidity, this coffee maker is also lightweight, portable, and compact. This order also comes with a funnel, scoop, stirrer, 350 microfilters, and a filter holder - meeting all your giftee’s caffeine needs during their outdoor trips.
Get AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
6. For the one that likes to hike and chill: Picnic Time’s Portable Recreation Recliner Oniva Seat ($48.95, currently on sale for $29.99)
What makes this recreational reclining seat by Picnic Time so great is that it’s very lightweight and portable, making it easy to bring along to concerts, boat trips, camping, stadiums, and the beach. While easy to take on-the-go, the chair’s design doesn’t compromise on comfort, and has a relaxing foam padding to sink into.
Get Picnic TIme’s Portable Recreation Recliner Oniva Seat
7. For the one that’s an outdoors beginner: Heather Taylor Picnic Basket ($68)
The Heather Taylor Picnic Basket encapsulates French countryside vacation vibes. We love the playful yet classic patterned liner and the quality handwoven willow and poplar body of the basket. Help your giftee curate the most picturesque picnic (perfect for a fun photoshoot) with this gift!
Get Heather Taylor Picnic Basket
8. For the one that stays hydrated: LARQ Bottle Movement PureVis ($78)
At the price of $78, this water bottle with a built-in UV-C LED is not cheap. But, its ability to actively self-clean and purify water is a gamechanger for people that travel long and far on their outdoor treks. The LARQ Bottle Movement PureVis is also great for use on a day-to-day basis, as its self-cleaning function means less time scrubbing away at the bottle, and more time heading to the gym, taking a hike, and whatever activities your giftee might want to spend their time on. This is the water bottle that outdoor lovers want, but will probably never splurge on for themselves.
Get the LARQ Bottle Movement PureVis
9. For the one that never forgets a meal: MSR Windburner Stove System ($149.95)
While some campers bring a couple of granola bars and call it a day, we at OVALWARE have a special admiration for outdoor lovers that can whip up a three course meal at a campsite. If this sounds like someone you know, consider getting them an outdoor stove! We are truly amazed by the amount that this compact stove from REI can do: it maintains a fast boil time and consistent fuel efficiency under different weather conditions, and packs everything (including some light cookware) within the pot. Take away the stress of lugging along a conventional outdoor stove, and allow your friend to make an unforgettable meal even on the peak of a mountain.
Get REI’s MSR WindBurner Stove System
10. For the one that is *in tents* about camping: REI Co-op Trailbreak 20 Sleeping Bag ($109)
On camping trips, the functionality and packability of everything is very important - and the weight truly adds up. The REI Co-op Trailbreak 20 Sleeping Bag is designed for warmth, packability, and weight, and makes for a great trip for the backpackers in your life. Some important features: water resistance; hood contours, face muffler, and full draft tube to keep out cold air; stuff sack that compresses for packing.
Get REI’s Co-op Trailbreak 20 Sleeping Bag
Gifts for Homebodies
Trying to find a gift for someone that enjoys a good day at home? See below for some great suggestions that really help elevate the ~staycation at home~ experience.
11. For the one that needs a pick-me-up: Arabica Coffee Body and Face Scrub ($18.95, on sale for $14.95)
A nice face and body scrub removes the dirt that has accumulated in skin, unclogs pores, and leaves skin feeling smoother. Here, we have opted for a fun face mask that doubles as a caffeine boost (we are in the business of coffee, after all). The Arabica Coffee Body and Face Scrub from Brooklyn Botany provides the benefits of caffeine: from reducing swelling and inflammation to fighting signs of skin fatigue and aging. This is perfect for that friend that loves their coffee and skin products!
Get Brooklyn Botany’s Arabica Coffee Body and Face Scrub
12. For the scent-imental one: Anecdote Candles ($14 for a tin, $24 for a jar)
How do you package a moment into a scent? Anecdote Candles tries to do just that through their playful scents inspired by fond memories and cultural trends. From their Adulting candle (“smells like early nights and steady paychecks” aka fig & cashmere) to their Coffee Break candle (“smells like procrastination and inspiration” aka french roast and coconut), you are bound to find a candle that reminds you of the one you are gifting.
13. For the one that loves luxury: Silk Pillowcases from The Noble Collection ($46+)
As a small business ourself, we would like to use this opportunity to highlight a small business that we love!The D. Noble Collection is a Black woman-owned company that makes the most luxurious home items. Introduce some cozy glamor to the one in your life that loves to stay in with these 100% mulberry silk beauty pillow covers.
Get Mulberry Silk Beauty Pillow Covers from The D. Noble Collection
14. For the one that never wants to go out: Subscription to Cocktail Courier (Customizable gift card, or subscribe at $29.99 for just the mix, $49.99 for alcohol included)
Bring the bar experience to your giftee, without them having to step a foot out of their front door! Cocktail Courier delivers delicious cocktail kits (including the alcohol, ingredients, and garnish) with step by step instructions. Their cocktails are specially curated: top local bartenders compete to have their cocktails featured! Each box contains all the ingredients needed to make 6-12 cocktails. You can choose between customizing a gift card that can be redeemed for subscriptions or directly setting up a gift subscription!
Get a Gift Card to Cocktail Courier
15. For the one that watches everything on their phone: Vamvo Mini Projector ($99.99)
For the ones that are burning 6+ hours a day of screen time watching Netflix on their phone screens, the gift of a mini projector not only improves their watching quality - but also saves their eyes from further stress. This Vamvo Portable Video Projector is one of the highest rated on Amazon - at 2,561 ratings for an average of 4.4 stars. It comes with multiple ports (including HDMI, USB, audio, and AV interfaces), has a built-in speaker, and provides a 49-200 inches project size with 4.9-15 feet projection distance.
Vamvo L4200 Portable Video Projector
16. For the napper: The Gravity Blanket ($195)
Get THE blanket for THE napper in your life. The use of a weighted blanket can transform a simple sleeping experience into a restful, deep slumber. The Gravity Blanket comes in a premium micro-fleece duvet cover, and uses a gridded stitching that ensures uniformly-distributed weight to the blanket. Sleep is so critical to our cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and physical health - help your giftee get in a solid nap or good night of sleep with this gift!
Get a Gravity Weighted Blanket
Gifts for Coffee and Tea Enthusiasts
At OVALWARE, we love nothing more than a great cup of coffee to start the day. We consider the morning brewing routine an art form, and strive to create products that can spread the joy we feel when consuming freshly-made coffee. Whether the person you have in mind is a brewing beginner or an at-home barista (or a tea-lover perhaps!), we have a gift suggestion for you. Take a look below!
17. For the latte-lover: Zulay’s Original Milk Frother ($12.57)
If your giftee is someone that loves a good cafe latte, cappuccino, or tea latte, a milk frother is the perfect gift for them to make their favorite drinks at home. Simply immerse the whisk in the beverage of choice, switch the milk frother on, and you can create rich froth in the matter of seconds. We chose to feature Zulay’s milk frother because it comes with a stand for quick storage, and is designed with an ergonomic handle for easy frothing. Keep in mind that the milk frother is powered by two AA batteries, which are not included!
Get Zulay Original Milk Frother
18. For the one with a sweet tooth: Monin Gourmet Flavorings Premium Coffee Collection ($12.95)
For those that enjoy vanilla lattes, pumpkin spice lattes, peppermint mochas, and such, a collection of flavored syrups would definitely be a welcomed gift. Monin’s syrups don’t only taste great, but also look great on the kitchen counter. This collection comes with Caramel, Amaretto, Hazelnut, Irish Cream, and Vanilla flavorings that are made with pure cane sugar and natural flavors. At 50 ml (1.69 fl oz) per bottle, the amount of syrup is also just right for a person making coffee solo or with a couple of loved ones.
Get Monin Gourmet Flavorings Premium Coffee Collection
19. For the one that’s throwing a housewarming party: OVALWARE Double Wall Espresso Cups ($14.99 for 2-pc set, $26.99 for 4-pc set)
Do not be fooled by the name. OVALWARE Double Wall Espresso Cups are the perfect size for all sorts of drinks beyond the traditional shot of espresso: macchiatos, flat whites, cappuccinos, whiskey, chai, and more. The cups are stackable, double-walled (which keeps your drink at the same temperature, whether hot or cold), and designed with a unique butterfly handle. If you are trying to give a gift to someone that has just moved, these espresso cups are perfect for sprucing up their empty kitchen.*
Get OVALWARE Double Wall Espresso Cups
*All OVALWARE glass products come with a Glass Quality Guarantee.
20. For the one that appreciates nuance: OVALWARE Pour Over Coffee Maker ($33.99)
The pour over coffee maker gets a lot of use in our OVALWARE office. Because of the reusable stainless steel filter that comes with the coffee maker, we no longer need to purchase paper filters, and feel good about making coffee that is good for the environment. The 3-in-one multifunction cup that also comes with the coffee maker acts as a measurement cup, temperature stabilizer lid, and filter stand, which cuts down on prep time. Easy to use, and designed to lock in the essential oils and nutrients of coffee that are otherwise lost in paper filters, OVALWARE’s Pour Over Coffee Maker is perfect for the one in your life that appreciates a rich cup of coffee with all its nuanced aromas.*
Get OVALWARE Pour Over Coffee Maker
*All OVALWARE glass products come with a Glass Quality Guarantee.
21. For the one that loves summer: OVALWARE RJ3 Cold Brew Maker ($31.99 / $39.99)
While we’ve already mentioned our Cold Brew Maker in the Gifts for All section of this guide, it would be remiss not to include it again in this section. Our most popular product, the OVALWARE Cold Brew Maker is the ultimate blend of good design and functionality. There is nothing quite like a refreshing glass of cold brew in the summer, and this cold brew maker makes it possible to make smooth and less acidic cold brew right at home - in batches of 1.0L or 1.5L. Remove the filter, and your giftee can also serve up some fresh lemonade or iced tea in the carafe.*
Get the OVALWARE RJ3 Cold Brew Maker in two sizes: 1.0L or 1.5L
*All OVALWARE glass products come with a Glass Quality Guarantee.
22. For the one that keeps things fresh: Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill ($90, on sale for $59.95)
For the coffee connoisseur, whether the coffee beans are freshly ground can make or break an otherwise perfectly made cup of coffee. The Cuisinart Burr coffee grinder is for the one that likes to customize their coffee to their tastes. Equipped with 18 grind size settings and a 4- to 18-cup slide dial, this coffee grinder can grind your beans from ultra-fine to extra-coarse. For the friend that really knows their coffee - this is a great gift.
Get the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Gifts for Home Cooks
Whether you are trying to gift someone who is still learning their way around the kitchen, or someone who is a cooking aficionado, we have a list of suggestions that are just *chef’s kiss.*
23. For the one that loves flavor: Master Culinary Herb Scissors ($7.88)
Too often, we hear people around say, “I love to cook, but the meal prep time just takes too long.” It’s true: with all the washing, peeling, dicing, and chopping that goes into a single meal, it can be hard to stay motivated about cooking even when it’s a hobby. If your giftee finds themself skimping on the herbs and spices because that’s just another thing to add to the list of meal prep tasks - get them these 5-blade herb scissors! Help them cut herbs quickly and comfortably, and elevate their meal. These scissors also come with a “long-finger” cleaning brush that makes clean-up just as efficient.
Get Master Culinary Herb Scissors
24. For the environmentally-conscious one: Xomoo Reusable Food Container Silicone Bags ($15.99)
Sustainability is very important in the kitchen, when each meal has the ability to generate lots of waste. Reusable storage bags go a long way in cutting down the usage of plastic, and have the same great ability to keep food organized and fresh. What we love about Xomoo reusable bags is that they hit the perfect spot between convenience and affordability. They are designed to stay upright when you are filling them up. The leakproof design of Xomoo zipper closures are also ideal for food storage. These bags can be used in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. While the bags can take a lot of wear and tear, we do suggest that you hand-wash them to keep them at maximum reusability.
Get Xomoo Reusable Food Container Silicone Bags
25. For the one that likes to entertain: Picnic Time’s Acacia Circo Cheese Cutting Board Set ($34.95)
Charcuterie and cheese boards are some of our favorite items to whip up for dinner parties. They look appetizing, are shareable amongst big groups, and are quick to put together. They are also a fun way to display all kinds of snacks: chips, pretzels, cookies, you name it. There is also a great current trend to make unconventional charcuterie boards - see: spring roll board, pancake board. For anyone that likes to entertain, and anyone that likes to be creative with presenting food, a cheese board (equipped with cutting tools) is a must.
Get Picnic Time’s Acacia Circo Cheese Cutting Board Set
26. For one that can take the heat: Fuego Box’s All-Star Hot Sauce Gift Crate ($49.95)
For those that like to experiment with flavors and love spicy food, get them an all-star crate of hot sauces! This gift set comes with a good mix of classic and creative flavors, ranging from mild to hot, introducing various ways for your giftee to *spice up* their meals. It also arrives in a custom handmade wooden Fuego Box crate, which is a nice touch as a gift.
Get Fuego Box’s All-Star Crate - Hot Sauce Gift Set
27. For the classic one: Dinnerware Set by Ro-Smit ($100)
There is something special about using a cohesive dinnerware set - dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, and coffee cup - in a meal. For the one that likes ambience, design, and elegance: gift them this classic dinnerware set by Ro-Smit. We love this set not only for its earthy elegance, but also because of its positive social impact. The set is handcrafted from clay sourced in the Kathmandu Valley, and is part of efforts to promote sustainable trade in Nepal.
Get this dinnerware set by Ro-Smit on GOODEE
Gifts for Travelers
As the ability to travel is slowly coming back, we have a list of gifts for the ones that cannot wait to get back on the road.
28. For the snacker: Snack Gift Box from Snack Crate ($14-$49)
In these unconventional times, it may be hard to find a gift for that special someone that is restless about traveling again. Gift them the ability to try snacks from around the world without leaving their home! Choose between the Mini (5-6 snacks), Original (9-12 snacks), and Premium (16-20+ snacks) snack crates to give as a present.
Get a Snack Gift Box from Snack Crate
29. For the one that likes (or needs) organization: Bettlemory Packing Cubes ($21.99)
Traveling is all fun and games - until packing time comes along, and you find yourself stuffing three weeks worth of items into a single carry-on. Travel cubes are very helpful in minimizing the space that items take, as well as keeping the contents of your luggage organized and easy to find. We think that these Bettlemory packing cubes make a great gift for a traveler that enjoys some organization. This cube set comes with 8 separate cubes of various sizes and uses, including a waterproof shoe storage bag and waterproof toiletry bag. No more tossing dirty shoes in with all your clean clothes.
30. For the sentimental one: Mini Cork Globe from Globe Trekkers ($39.97)
For the intrepid global explorer, consider getting them a cork globe to track where they have traveled to. This globe from Globe Trekkers comes with 50 different colored push pins and a stainless steel base. This gift is not only a fun way to display your travels, but also doubles as subtle home decor.
Get this Mini Cork Globe from Globe Trekkers
31. For the music-lover: Bose Soundlink Micro: Small Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($99)
Small, portable, waterproof, and bluetooth-compatible - this speaker is perfect for the frequent traveler. The Bose Soundlink Micro comes with a tear resistant strap that makes it easy to carry around, and is equipped with up to 6 hours of playtime. For the friend that likes to blast music when they travel, this is the perfect gift.
Get Bose Soundlink Micro: Small Portable Bluetooth Speaker
32. For the one that means a lot to you: Travel Gift Voucher ($ up to you)
Why not help your giftee get a headstart on their post-pandemic travel plans and provide a gift voucher for them to use towards any flight they want? Or for them to use for an upgrade to business class?! Find the airline your giftee frequents and choose the amount you want to gift! This is undoubtedly the most foolproof gift idea for someone that loves to travel.