Nobody looks forward to packing for vacation, but here's a list of the essentials to get you started!
Sunscreen - No matter what time of year you go, sunscreen is a must for a sunny day at the beach! Trust me, I've learned the hard way.
Swimsuits/trunks - Pool, beach, enough said...even in the winter!
Sandals/flip-flops - Don't miss an opportunity to put your toes in the powdery white sand! Kick off the flip flops and take a stroll.
Sneakers - Gulf Shores is full of great walking paths, and you don't want to miss out.
Hat/Sunglasses - Bring on the sunshine!
Beach towel - Bath towels are provided in the condo, but you'll want to bring your own towels for the pool and beach.
Sand toys - If you want to become a master sand artist, check-out Sand Castle University.
Book/Magazine - It's always nice to read a book on the beach or balcony!
Jacket - It can get breezy along the coast, and it's nice to have a jacket for those cooler days/nights.
Don't stress if you forget something! It's vacation, and you can likely get whatever you need at the Dollar General or the Walmart.
Whether you're planning to eat most of your meals in the condo or just have some essentials for breakfast and lunch, you have options for stocking the fridge and keeping your vacation stress free. Personally, I like to schedule a Walmart pick-up order for us to grab when we come into town. One of us usually has to wait in the car for the order while the other runs in to grab whatever I managed to forget and the essential bucket of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Blue Bell Ice cream is a must since we can't get back home, but it's never an option to add to my order. Our favorite is the Cookie Two-step flavor with both cookie dough and cookies'n cream mixed together, but there are tons of great options for whatever your sweet tooth is. Plus it will save you from visiting the ice cream shop every night and spending way more! I haven't used Instacart personally, but I know others do if that is your preference.
After we pick up our Walmart order, I like to stop by Sarah's Homemade to grab a couple home cooked meals that I can just throw in the oven after a long day at the beach. It's in the same shopping complex as Rouse's. Try the lasagna roll-ups or homemade chicken salad, two of our favorites. Visit their Facebook page for what's cooking and hours around the holidays.
Really want to avoid the grocery store and pamper yourself, contact the Beach Moms. They offer a variety of conceirge services from stocking the fridge for you and beach chair rentals to helping you plan a night in with a personal chef.
Whatever option is best for you, the condo has all the cooking supplies you should need to prepare and cook meals for your family. We also provide single use packets of laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent (don't get them mixed up, but if you're being frugal you can get two uses out of each) and hotel size dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, and bath bar. Each bathroom will have a new roll of toilet paper, and there will be a new roll of paper towels in the kitchen.