LABOR DAY WEEKEND: TIME FOR A HOT TUB PARTY

August 28, 2008

Entertaining with a hot tub as a party focal point is easy.  Everyone is already psyched to have a good time.

Follow these Top 10 Tips to create a fun evening with good times to remember:

10. Invite the Fun People in Your Life-Omit the Grumps

Some friends will want to get in the hot tub, and others will be content to hang out by the snack table all night. Make your guest list according to who you think will have the most fun at your hot tub party. Keep in mind the maximum occupancy of your tub, so you don’t leave any guests sitting out in the cold.

9. Clean Clear Water

Just as you’d clean your house before a big party, make sure your hot tub water is clean and sparkling before guests arrive. Check your supplies and make sure you have clarifier and sanitizer on hand. You want your guests to go “aah” with delight when you roll back the cover, not “yuck!”

8. Have a Plan B

Bad weather, a power outage, or crabby guests- you never know what could crop up to spoil your hot tub fun so plan other activities just in case you can’t go in the hot tub.

7. Party Food: Keep it on the Light Side

Stick to finger food that can be eaten in or out of the tub. Easy to eat items like veggies & dip, fresh fruit on skewers, chicken or shrimp kabobs, egg rolls, etc work best.

Avoid chips in the tub. If spilled, they make a party-ending, gummy mess!

6. Drinks: Save the Alcohol for After Soaking

Have a selection of bottled waters, juices and sodas on hand to keep soakers hydrated while soaking. Alcohol? Alcohol’s effects are felt much more quickly in a hot tub-overconsumption and a major hangover is a sure thing the next day. Save wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks for after soaking. You don’t want your guests to rue the day they accepted your invitation.

5. Provide Extra Bathing Suits

Most people are self-conscious around strangers. Some guests might “forget” their suits” in order to avoid soaking. Once they see all the fun everyone’s having, they’ll want to jump in, too. Have a selection of extra bathing suits and swim trunks on hand for guests who left their suits at home. Shop the end of season sales on now for bargains in swimsuit.

4. Extra Towels for the Thoughtful Touch

You can never have enough towels! Guests may get in and out of the tub multiple times, leading to damp towels that stop doing the job. Keep lots of clean, fresh towels on hand and stay on top of putting wet towels in the washer & dryer. Your guests will love you for it and so will your carpet and upholstered lawn furniture.

3. Add Hot Tub Accessories, Games and Door Prizes and Consider a Theme for your Party

All of the action will be centered around your hot tub, so pick up fun party favors, small door prizes, ducks for everyone to race, waterproof cards, floating checkerboards, etc. Solar powered lanterns are a beautiful way to light up the night. The Hawaiian theme is always in style. Waterproof leis add to the fun.

2. Cue the Soundtrack: Music is Must

Every party needs a soundtrack. Many newer hot tubs come with music and an iPod docking station. Choose your music with your guests’ taste in mind. Throw in some songs that add pizzazz to your party’s theme.

1. Have Fun

If you, the host, aren’t having a good time, your guests won’t either. Sit back, relax and have a ball at your own hot tub party. You can never foresee all of the problems that can and do arise, so just go with the flow. Your guests will appreciate your approach to the evening and have fun themselves.

That’s the recipe for a great hot tub party!