6 Tips for Thanksgiving by the Pool
We have many unique advantages living in sunny Florida. One of them is the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy Thanksgiving outdoors instead of indoors, the way much of the rest of the country must do.
Pool Works Pools & Spas of Auburndale, FL, would like to share a few ideas that might get you thinking about your own unique ideas for having your next Thanksgiving around the pool.
Planning Is Key
Thanksgiving can get complicated and be a great cause for anxiety if you don’t plan ahead. Areas you’ll probably want to address include:
- The number of guests you’ll invite
- Outdoor seating arrangements
- Weather contingencies
- Food preparation
- Pre-holiday pool maintenance
- Thanksgiving pool safety
Let’s look briefly at each one:
1. Outdoor Seating Arrangements
You likely have a lot more furniture inside your home than outside in the backyard pool area. Consider investing in some outdoor stools, chairs and tables, or plan to move some of the inside furniture to the outside to accommodate your guests.
The rule of thumb is to have a seat for every person, even though they won’t all be sitting down at the same time.
2. Weather Contingencies
Determine how you’ll manage if an unexpected storm blows in on Thanksgiving. It might be a good idea to erect some temporary canvas awnings or purchase a few poolside table umbrellas.
If you end up having to move the gathering inside, know in advance how you’re going to manage this and where you’re going to put everybody.
3. Food Preparation
Take the number of guests you’ll be inviting and then determine the maximum amount of food each guest might eat. Multiply the number by the amount, and that tells you how much food to prepare. Leftovers are better than shortages.
Shop ahead – don’t wait till the last minute. Stuff happens, especially on Thanksgiving Day, so begin the main cooking earlier than you think you need to. Enlist the help of some family members and friends for this task.
4. Pre-holiday Pool Maintenance
Decide if your pool will be just a backdrop or an active part of the holiday. In either case, have the pool cleaned and the chemicals adjusted.
If the pool will be used, keep tables and other items a safe distance away from the water. Assuming children will be there, put all the pool toys in a place that’s easy to access.
5. Thanksgiving Pool Safety
An active pool with a bunch of people means you need to be conscious of safety. At least one of your guests should know CPR, and there should be first aid supplies in the pool area.
Make sure children know to not run around the pool or throw pool toys or other objects recklessly in the air. It’s a smart idea to designate one or two adults to be the official “child-watchers,” keeping an eye on the little ones and knowing where they are at all times.
6. Get Your Pool Ready For Thanksgiving
Pool Works is here to help with expert pool cleaning and maintenance year-round, including as part of your Thanksgiving holiday preparations. We’ll get your pool looking beautiful and running just like it should.
As to the cooking and entertaining, you’re on your own with all that.
Call us today, or reach out with our handy contact form.
