Ideas for Making the Most of Summer

Written by our Founder and CEO, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.

For a good nine months of the year, I find myself caught in a cycle of anticipation and nostalgia for summer. As soon as fall’s chill arrives, I start longing for the warmth and freedom of the previous season. And then a few cold months later, I’m eagerly counting down the days to its return.

My pining for summer is always accompanied by two thoughts. First, I’m constantly amazed at how quickly the time passes. And then I ask myself: Did I make the most of it? The thoughts are intertwined. You can’t ignore summer’s perceived brevity while still maximizing the experience.

With summer officially underway (as of last Thursday), it’s time to make a plan. I’m not talking about booking plane tickets, reserving hotel rooms, or remembering to pack sunscreen. This plan is all about strengthening your relationships with your family, friends, and community over the next two-plus months.

It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Let me explain.

The family road trip

For those of you with kids, school most likely ended in the last week or two, and you might be planning how you’ll be spending time together over the next couple of months. For many, that will include the annual family vacation.

When I was growing up, the annual family vacation entailed our parents piling five kids and a few of our friends into the family car and heading to a small rented house in Upstate New York. Flying somewhere with seven people was never an option!

Those few hours in the car still stick in my mind. We talked to each other and battled for control of the radio. I felt like I got to know my family better – and our evolving music tastes – during those trips.

Today, families have a lot more portable entertainment choices. Here’s an idea: Give the smartphones and tablets a little vacation of their own. Leave them in the trunk, or even at home entirely if you can, and spend those hours on the road sharing stories and even sparring over the radio. Consider introducing your kids to the sweet sounds of AM radio…

Create experiences for your children

The only time that passes faster than summer are the years that you have children living in your home. You can maximize your summer and your time with them by introducing them to new experiences and people.

My dad, who was a painting contractor, often attended trade shows and conventions during the year. On occasion, when I was out of school during the summer, he’d bring me along for the adventure.

These short trips with Dad not only gave me the opportunity to spend time with him but also the chance to meet other entrepreneurs and characters. This outside perspective got me wanting to start my own company someday. Well, those meetings certainly paid off.

If you have kids, consider involving them in your interactions with your adult friends. Introducing them to your social and professional circles can open their eyes to a whole new world. They can learn valuable lessons from listening to adult conversations, observing different dynamics, and understanding various career paths and life stories. As well as build confidence in public speaking.

These experiences can be transformative for children. Plus, they can deepen your bonds and create lasting memories that you both will cherish for years to come.

Destination: Family Reunion

For many, the destination of the road trip is the annual family reunion. Such gatherings offer a wonderful opportunity for children to meet relatives for the first time and be introduced to family rituals and traditions that span generations. Apart from holiday gatherings, reunions provide the best chance to reinforce the vital bonds of family. 

One way my family makes sure everyone is engaged during the reunion is to assign jobs far in advance. Someone is tasked with figuring out the games, while others are given the all-important responsibility of picking the meals. Even the grandchildren are expected to help with baking and cleanup throughout the weekend.

If you don’t have a reunion planned, it’s not too early to start. My colleagues at 1-800-Flowers.com have created several guides on planning and executing a reunion, from doing it on a budget to popular games that promote togetherness.

And don’t forget: If distance prevents relatives from attending, open your pandemic playbook and have virtual visits!

Staycations

For those who like to remain close to home, staycations are still a great way to get away. And to make them even more meaningful, you can sprinkle them over the course of the next 10 weeks. After all, having a busy itinerary gives kids and adults something to look forward to.

Staycations can take place around your city – or they can be entirely at home or in your backyard. Here’s a terrific guide that was just published on Nerdwallet with 99 ideas that you might consider scheduling that range from arts and crafts and movie marathons to learning an instrument and creating a backyard circus.

If you’re staying close to home, don’t forget to keep talking just like you’re all in a car with no devices except a staticky radio. Make sure you and the kids use the time to take a break from your phones and social media accounts.
It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives and forget that every moment we spend with our children, while they are in our nests, should be cherished, so in that spirit, I hope that you make the most of the summer of 2024. Enjoy it while it lasts!

All the best,

Jim