Preparing For Our First Family Vacation With BJ’s Wholesale Club

This post was created in partnership with BJ’s Wholesale Club. I’m partnering with BJ’s for the next several months to share how BJ’s is helping our growing family. All images and opinions are my own. #BJsSmartSaver

While this summer is going to be one of the most exciting ever as we get used to life as a family of three with Baby Nicholas, I am probably most looking forward to our first family vacation planned for August. For our first family vacation, we are heading over to Martha’s Vineyard for a week and we couldn’t be more excited! MJD and I both grew up going there with our families so it is super special to start what is hopefully a new tradition with our own family :). We booked our vacation home there just a few weeks after we found out I was pregnant so it was something we have had in mind for quite a while now.

Besides the fact that we are going to have a three month old with us, this vacation is different from any other M and I have ever planned together. All of our trips together have been either at a hotel or resort of some sort as opposed to renting a home. With a week long stay as a family, a house definitely makes more sense- not only is it more common on the island, but it also gives us the space we need for all our newly acquired baby necessities. Another perk-  by staying in a house we will have the chance to barbeque and cook in the comfort of our own home which is much more enjoyable with a new baby. Of course, this also puts a bit more prep work on us from packing our own beach chairs and towels to bringing some cooking essentials and groceries along.

When I was growing up, I always remember my mom doing a big BJ’s Wholesale Club trip before similar family beach vacations. Now that I am thinking about my own, I can absolutely see why! During a recent trip to BJ’s, I was able to pick up most of our family vacation must-haves like Tommy Bahama beach chairs and umbrella, plus beach towels sets to Huggies Little Swimmers diapers for the little guy and Coppertone sunscreen for all of us. I may have been a bit premature in this, but I also picked up some fun sand and beach toys for Nicholas. While I doubt he will be playing with them this summer, maybe he will like watching us build a castle! BJ’s also carries baby clothing – so when I go in for my vacation shopping, I had to pick up Nicholas a few new summer outfits, plus a cute sun hat to block the rays. Oh and my mama friends probably think I am dreaming with this, but BJ’s has tons of summer reading options- like the most popular magazines and bestselling books- so I was sure to pick up a few for Nicholas’ nap time.

Beyond the beach items, it’s the best place to stock up on cases of water (Poland Spring 40 pack for less than $6!) and some of our favorite snacks to bring to the beach or for happy hours on our deck. For nostalgia’s sake, I had to get a big tub of Twizzlers– my family always had those on our vacations! Going to be quite dangerous seeing as only M and I can eat them 🙂

The wide selection of everything from groceries to diapers to sunscreen and beach chairs makes BJ’s Wholesale Club the perfect one stop shop for any and all family summer vacations or staycations. Beyond the selection, the values on brand name favorites cannot be beat- and they are definitely MUCH better than the prices on tiny New England vacation islands 😉 . Besides shopping in Club or online, BJ’s is now available for ordering on Instacart which is the best news ever! I love delivery services so the combination of BJ’s and Instacart is one I am very excited to try- I’ll keep you guys posted once I do.

What are your summer vacation plans? Do you prefer staying in a hotel or renting a home for your vacations?

PS- Interested in trying BJ’s Wholesale Club for your own summer vacation prep? You can get your own plus a $25 gift card by signing up here!

xoxo, Jenna