6. A large blanket that's easy to bring to the beach

Grand Trunk Parasheet Beach Blanket, available at Amazon, $23.97

As a native Michigander, I thought I was giving up my summer days at the beach when I moved to New York City, until I discovered how easy it was to take the subway to Brighton Beach from my apartment in Brooklyn. The Parasheet Beach Blanket from Grand Trunk makes the commute even easier because the 7-feet-by-7-feet blanket can be stuffed into its amazingly compact carrying case, which weighs less than a pound. Plus, the material repels the sand so it doesn't track any unwanted mess into your bag when you're packing up and heading home. —Danny Bakst, senior content producer

Read our review: This $30 beach blanket lays flat and doesn't fly away — here's why I'll never go to the beach or park without it