It’s no wonder that everyone loves a hot tub party – between the pulsating jets, the warm bubbling water, spending time outdoors with family and friends, and the ambiance of music, food and lighting – a hot tub creates the ultimate party setting without costing you a lot of money or effort.
Memorial Day is celebrated both as a day to honor the men and women who have fought for our country and as the unofficial start to summer. It is a favorite holiday for many Americans and brings to mind memories of fireworks, barbecues, warm weather, and the beach. Thankfully, you can bring that ambiance and everything that Memorial Day signifies right into your backyard – saving the headaches and hefty costs of weekend travel.
Even though Memorial Day is only a weekend away, you still have plenty of time to plan that perfect hot tub party. Just follow our simple advice to prepare your hot tub and your home for a Memorial Day that your friends will be remembering all summer long.
Perfect water for a perfect party
If you want a perfect party, you will want to make sure you have perfect water. Preparing your hot tub for the party is simple and easy – just make sure that your spa is clean, your chemicals are balanced, and the temperature is right.
If you have plenty of time
Give your hot tub a deep cleaning by draining, cleaning and refilling.
If you are short on time
The quick route to hot tub preparation is to give your hot tub a quick shock the night before the party, and then on the party day before your guests arrive.
We suggest that you set your hot tub to 100 degrees since your guests will be hopping in and out of the hot tub between socializing, eating, and participating in the other activities you have planned. You want your guests to be able to jump right into the spa to join the conversation, so keep the temperature on the lower side.
We encourage stringing lantern lights, and having music and other entertainment at your party – but make sure that no electrical equipment is anywhere near the hot tub.
House rules for a drama free party
You want this Memorial Day party to be one that your friends are talking about all summer – in a good way. To keep it safe so you can focus on having fun, establish some simple “house rules” for your guests to follow.
Not everyone knows the ins and outs of hot tub safety like you, and since you are the hot tub owner it is your responsibility to establish the safety guidelines. Following the tips in our article, 16 Tips Every Hot Tub Owner Should Know, either print out or verbally inform your guests of the rules, and then get back to the party!
What’s a party without food, drinks, and music?
Your hot tub is clean, the house rules have been established, and now it’s time for the fun. Decorating for Memorial Day is easier than other holidays; all you have to do is keep the decor with the American theme of red, white and blue.
Since this is a hot tub party, you’ll want to setup tables and seating areas outside so that food and drinks are easily accessible to your hot tubbing friends.
Whether you are planning a traditional BBQ, a potluck, or a buffet style party, you will also need plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks readily available.
Keeping in the theme of red, white and blue; you can get creative with your non-alcoholic drink selection.
Mixologist expert Lara Englebardt Metz, a member of American Diabetic Association, suggests adding fresh berries to your favorite juice like the cran-raz ‘mocktail’ made with crushed raspberries and cranberry juice. Safe and healthy, it also gives a festive red hue.
Non-alcoholic drink ideas
- Red and blue homemade slushies
- Non-alcoholic twists on typical drinks like the Pina Colada
- Fresh fruit juice with berries
- Add a sugared rim for a sweet touch
- Freeze juice and use as an ice cube alternative
- Spice it up with paper umbrellas, crazy straws, and fancy (plastic) cups
Food
Good food will make any party memorable. The most traditional of Memorial Day parties will have a BBQ with burgers and hot dogs, but you don’t need to stop there.
If you want to try something different, how about a New England clambake, a lobster fest, or a southern style BBQ?
Music
With all the fun, celebration, and anticipation of summer, it’s easy to forget the real meaning of Memorial Day. Bring it back by adding these American classics to your Memorial Day
playlist:
- Spirit of America – Beach Boys
- American Pie – Don McLean
- America the Beautiful – Frank Sinatra
- American Girl – Tom Petty
- God Bless America – Celine Dion
- American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
- Red, White, and Blue – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
- God Bless the USA: Proud to be an American – Lee Greenwood
Water fun
Instead of sitting in beach traffic, you’ll be sitting in your hot tub, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the beach to you. Add some beach balls and fun, waterproof games. Have plenty of extra towels and even spare bathing suits so no one will be left out of the water fun.
If you live in an area where it will be extra hot the day of your party, you can still “chill” in your hot tub. Just turn the heater off and leave the jets running. The temperature will drop quickly and be a refreshing splash for your guests.
Wrapping it up
You’ve covered everything. Your spa is clean and chemicals balanced. The hot tub is set at the ideal temperature. You have plenty of tasty food, fresh drinks, and a music playlist that will have people dancing in their hot tub seats. You’ve set the house rules, have plenty of towels, and no one will be without a bathing suit. Congratulations! You already have set up the perfect hot tub party. If you want to take your perfect party to memorable, consider adding some extras.
- Spa scents. Smell is the most ‘memorable’ of all our senses.
- If you have a bubbling system – you’re in luck. Who doesn’t love bubbles?
- LED lighting. An colorful light show for when the sun goes down. There are your fireworks!
How about you? Will you be throwing your own hot tub party this holiday weekend? Do you have any Memorial Day party suggestions? Tell us in the comments below!
