If you're visiting a friend's or family member's lake house this summer, bring them a gift that capitalizes on the serene surroundings—like hand-poured soy candles with scents of nature—or a gift that the whole family can enjoy—like a bocce ball set for some family activity.
Nothing screams "the Great Outdoors" like a lake in the summer. You can be at one with nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy recreational activities as you splash, canoe, or swim in the lake. So, if you're invited to a lakehouse for the weekend, you’ll surely want to bring a gift appropriate for the festivities!
Luckily, Jerry
, the home insurance
expert and super app
, has you covered. Here are some gift ideas for your lake house host, from practical cooking and lounge items to cute and quirky decor. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What makes a good lake house gift?
People often escape to a lake house to get away from the stresses of everyday life and engage in some rest and relaxation. If you're invited to a friend's or family member's lake house, it's likely that they think of their second home as a retreat—a place to unwind and have fun with loved ones.
Given that, choose a gift that fits the vibe of your host. If your host likes to go to the lake and curl up with a good book on the porch, maybe get them a fleece blanket or cozy slippers to add some warmth to crisp mornings.
Or, if your host has an active family running about, maybe you should get an inflatable float or something they can take out on the water—part of the fun of a lake house is being on a lake, after all.
Maybe your host is a culinary expert—in that case, look for fun foodie gifts that you can enjoy while you're there. A fun recipe book or breakfast kit can bring new life to cooking for guests.
Here, we've compiled our favorite best gifts for lake house hosts—no matter their interests—so you can find the perfect gift for everyone.
Best cozy lake house gifts
DOWN UNDER OUTDOORS Waterproof and Windproof Blanket, Available at Amazon
This machine-washable picnic blanket is the perfect addition to those long summer afternoons on the lawn. It’s quilted, waterproof, and folds into a portable bag—so you can take it with you anywhere.
Curl up under the cozy fleece to enjoy a book on the porch on chilly mornings, or use it as a picnic blanket when you take your lunch to the banks of the lake.
Adorable lake house-themed pillow covers
The Lake House Lake Paddle Throw Pillow Covers, Available at Amazon
Nothing says “Welcome to the Lake House” better than these pillow covers—because they literally say “Welcome to the Lake House”. These cute and quirky pillow covers add a bit of nautical, summer camp flair to any lakeside retreat.
To complete the gift, pair these pillow covers with a memory-foam pillow
insert, so your host can lounge with the lower back support they deserve. Soy candles that smell like summer
Paddywax Candles Apothecary Collection, Available on Amazon
One of the best parts about being on a lake is the smell of the great outdoors. With scents like amber and smoke, teak and tobacco, and chamomile and fig, you can bring the aroma of nature into the home with these hand-poured soy candles. Plus, the decorative jars look great on a mantle!
Memory foam slippers that feel like you're walking on air
Homitem Women's Slip-On Knit Slippers, Available at Amazon
Mornings can be chilly on a lake, and no one likes to leave a warm bed for a cold floor. Give your host these comfy slippers that they can wear on a cold morning at the lake house.
Available in three fun color combinations and with indoor/outdoor soles, they are perfect for relaxing by the fire on a winter evening or stepping out onto the deck on a crisp summer morning. Plus, the memory foam material conforms to the wearer's foot to prevent foot stress and be as comfortable as possible.
MORE: How to settle into a new house
Best active lake house gifts
A fun game for the whole family
HeadsUp!, Available at Target
This quirky guessing game is fun for all ages! Started as a popular app by Ellen Degeneres, the Heads Up! Game has expanded to be a party game for everyone. Categories range from Blockbuster Movies to Animals, and participants can play through classic word guessing rounds or have the chance to test their acting skills.
Bring it for after-dinner fun or to play around the picnic table while the kids are swimming.
Lawn games to play with a group
Croybi Bocce Ball Set, Available on Amazon
Bocce is a classic lawn game that will keep the whole crowd entertained on a summer afternoon. The durable and weighted lawn bowling set comes with four distinctly colored pairs, so up to 4 teams (or individuals) can play at a time. It even includes a regulation tape measure, so you can have backup when you claim your ball is the closest to the target!
The carrying case makes it a great gift for a family on the go, and it's a great way for the kids to entertain themselves while you're barbecuing or chatting after lunch.
An ancient lawn game that's sure to be a new favorite
Maggift Kubb Game Set, Available at Amazon
While it looks like a bunch of wooden stakes and blocks, Kubb is an ancient Scandinavian lawn game that is thought to have originated over 1000 years ago. This fun game is known as "Viking Chess", but it has a decidedly easier point of entry.
To play, toss the wooden dowels towards the other team's Kubb (or king) and try to knock it over—whoever can do that first is the winner!
This set comes with a convenient carrying case, so you can play wherever you go.
An inflatable pool lounger when you want to be on the lake
FindUWill Inflatable Pool Lounge, Available at Amazon
If your host owns a lake house, it's likely they enjoy the water. Bring them these inflatable pool floats so they can be out on the lake in style. These rafts are specially designed to keep you cool on a hot summer day and bring you in close contact with the water while not getting you drenched.
Even better—the rafts come with a 30-day warranty, so they can be easily replaced if they leak or get damaged within that time.
A light up beach ball for party nights in the lake
LED Beach Ball Available at Amazon
If your host gets bored of relaxing in the water and want to splash about, this is the perfect thing to get them. This light-up beach ball will make night swimming adventures all the more fun—it's perfect for games of keep away, volleyball, or just to pass along to the music.
With a convenient remote control, your host can change the color of the beach ball depending on their mood—keeping things exciting all night long.
MORE: How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you
Foodie lake house gifts
A wine carrier perfect for wine o'clock and lakeside picnics
Baleine Two Bottle Wine Carrier, Available at Amazon
For lakeside picnics, bring this insulated, leak-proof wine carrier along. The tote is compact, stylish, and can keep two bottles cool for the perfect outdoor occasion. Plus, it comes in nine fun patterns, so you can choose the vibe that fits your host best.
The adjustable shoulder strap makes carrying this tote extremely convenient, and the insulated padding will keep that rosé chilled all day.
A new way to do charcuterie
The Cheese Board Deck: 50 Cards for Styling Spreads, Savory and Sweet, Available at Paper Source
This delightful deck of cards has everything you need to style the perfect charcuterie spread for your lakeside picnic. With board ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the cards give you everything from styling ideas to your shopping list.
Follow the recipes on the card, or you can mix and match! Some of our favorites include the vegan board, the build your own hot dog board, and—of course—the candy board!
Extendable skewer sticks to roast the perfect marshmallow
CORQUE Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Available at Amazon
If you’re ending the night around a fire singing your favorite camp songs, you’ll probably need a snack to go with it. These extendable skewer sticks are the perfect addition to a campfire hangout.
The set comes with eight, color-coded skewers, so you can keep track of who is using which stick. Plus, they extend to a safe distance, so you don't need to worry about kids getting too close to the fire. Just add marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, and you’ve got a s’more going!
A pancake pack for the perfect short stack
Downhome Breakfast Gift Pack, Available at Amazon
Start your weekend at the lake with the perfect homemade breakfast. This breakfast gift pack provides everything you need for the perfect pancake breakfast. It includes a pancake mix, artisan preserves, and maple syrup—plus some fruit candies for dessert.
Want to treat your host? Make breakfast one morning and bring them breakfast in bed!
A pour over coffee maker for the perfect morning brew
Bodium Pour Over Coffee Maker, Available at Target
To go with your pancake breakfast, you’ll need some good coffee. Grab this artisan coffee maker for the caffeine connoisseur in your life.
While many pour-over carafes are small, the Bodium coffee maker is meant for eight cups of coffee. It also comes with a stainless mesh filter, so you can make your coffee sustainably.
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