May 2012
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5 Tips for Planning the Season’s First Pool Party
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It’s Pool Season, But Don’t Forget about Your Hot Tub
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Pool Safety: 7 Essential Tips
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Pool Workouts: Start Slow, Stay Strong
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Related Articles
Many pool owners have put off family vacations in recent years, opting instead to spruce up their yard with cool pool features, expanded decks or new flower beds. But what’s the fun of a beautiful pool or fancy yard if you don’t share it with friends?
Not only does July 4 mark the middle of summer, it’s also the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones for an afternoon of holiday festivities around your beautiful, sparkling pool.
But a Fourth of July celebration doesn’t have to mean a ton of work. All you need is a few simple refreshments, some visual touches to honor the day and a little advance planning.
Create anticipation with invitations
The best way to ensure a successful party is by giving guests something to look forward to in advance. Why not let your friends know how excited you are to see them by sending out holiday or pool-themed invitations? If you’re feeling crafty, consider visiting your local craft supply store for cardstock and scrapbooking paper to create your own American flag-shaped invites.
In addition to offering the details and location of your party, use your invitations to inform your guests of which pool amenities to bring. Remind them to tote bathing suits, towels, a change of clothes, sunblock and a dish of food to share.
Set up game stations
For a little variety, offer two or three “game stations” to keep kids and adults entertained all afternoon. Set up a card table where teams of players can play ”Go Fish”, board games or backgammon. For the younger crowd, try a beanbag toss game. But not everyone will be in a gaming mood, so don’t forget to dust off the lawn chairs for those partygoers who just want to kick back and relax.
While you’re setting up the game stations, don’t forget about the main attraction—swimming pool fun! Be sure to have pool toys and extra towels in poolside baskets for your guests. And populate your pool with inflatable toys, rafts, and maybe one or two floats for the adults.
Decorate with patriotic flair
You can honor our country’s independence by decorating your yard with splashes of red, white and blue. Try adding patriotic ribbons to the backs of chairs and table legs, or create table arrangements with white flowers and mini American flags.
If your pool party stretches into the evening, plan to add some warmth after the sun goes down. The combination of light and water always adds a magical touch to surroundings. Start with white votive candles around the pool and on tables. For extra lighting, mount citronella torches around the deck or in the lawn surrounding the pool. If you want a more intimate after-dark setting, arrange paper lanterns or floating pool lights in and around the pool. As the night winds down, consider using a fire pit to keep people warm and setting up a s’more station as a sweet, late night treat.
Offer patriotic punch and dessert
Iced tea and lemonade are refreshing, but consider offering a special Independence Day alternative. A simple, patriotic-themed punch will fit the spirit of the occasion.
Recipe 1: Red, White and Blueberry Freeze
Ingredients
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 dash lemon juice
Sugar to taste
Small strawberries for garnish
Directions
- Mix together the whipping cream, blueberries, lemon juice and sugar in a blender.
- Serve in punch glasses and top with a few strawberries.
Recipe 2: White Coconut Cake
In keeping with the patriotic theme, serve white coconut cake for dessert, and garnish with blueberries and sliced strawberries or raspberries.
Ingredients
18.25-ounce package of yellow or white cake mix
14-ounce can of cream of coconut
14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
16-ounce container of thawed whipped topping
8-ounce package of flaked coconut
Directions
- Place the cake mix in a Bundt pan, and follow the baking directions on a box of white or yellow cake.
- Remove the cake from the oven, and while the cake is still hot, poke holes all over it using a fork.
- Mix the cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk together.
- Pour cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk mixture over the hot cake, allowing all of the liquid to soak in. Put the cake in the fridge to cool for one hour.
- Frost the cooled cake with the whipped topping and spread flaked coconut over it.
