Hot Tubs & the Run-Up to Christmas: Creating a Festive Retreat at Home
Max PiggottDecember is busy. Between shopping, hosting and the school calendar, there isn't much time to stop. A hot tub gives you somewhere to switch off at the end of the day and a cosy place to get together with friends and family in the weeks before Christmas.
Here is why a hot tub is worth making the most of in the run-up to Christmas.
Take the edge off a busy month
The build-up to Christmas is fun, but it can also be stressful. A soak at the end of the day helps you:
- ease tension, with the jets working on tight muscles
- wind down before bed during a hectic month
- clear your head before and after a long to-do list
A short soak each day can make the whole month feel calmer.
Make the garden festive
Winter is one of the best times to use a hot tub. Warm water, cold air and Christmas lights make for a memorable evening.
To add to the festive feel, try:
- LED lighting in seasonal colours
- Aromatherapy scents such as pine, cinnamon or peppermint
- Outdoor decorations and some quiet music
- Warm robes or throws for when you get out
It turns the garden into somewhere you actually want to be on a December evening.
Bring friends and family together
People naturally gather around a hot tub, and Christmas is about getting together. Through December you can use it to:
- have a relaxed drink with friends before Christmas
- spend time with visiting family
- mark smaller celebrations before the big day
A festive soak makes a change from the usual Christmas drinks, and guests tend to love it.
Keep up a winter routine
Cold weather often brings stiff joints, tired muscles and low spirits. Regular soaks in the run-up to Christmas can help:
- warm you through on cold evenings
- ease aches from shopping, decorating and winter jobs
- relieve tension and lift your mood
Making time for a soak in December is good for body and mind.
A Christmas treat for the household
If you have been thinking about a new hot tub or some new accessories, the run-up to Christmas is a popular time to buy. It is a present the whole household can enjoy, long after December.
A hot tub gives you:
- somewhere to relax all year round
- a spa at home
- something the whole family can enjoy together
- a warm escape on the coldest nights
Get ready for Christmas with Canadian Spa Company
Our hot tubs are designed for Canadian winters, so cold December nights are no problem. With energy-efficient features, good insulation and effective hydrotherapy jets, they are comfortable and reliable all season.
Festive checklist for your spa
| When | Job |
|---|---|
| Late November | Rinse or replace the filter, check the cover straps and seals, clear leaves from around the cabinet |
| Early December | Test and balance: total alkalinity 80 to 120 ppm, pH 7.2 to 7.6, free chlorine 1.0 to 1.5 ppm |
| A week before guests | Stock up on chemicals and test strips, as deliveries slow over the holidays |
| Christmas week | Test every couple of days if the tub is busy, shock after a party |
| Before New Year | Rinse the filter again and check the water level |
Our essential chemicals range has everything for the list above. Hard-shell spa filters usually last 6 to 12 months; Glacier filters every 6 months for best performance, or up to 12 for economy.
Winter safety over the holidays
- Icy paths: grit or salt the route to the tub and keep a non-slip mat by the steps.
- Alcohol: festive drinks and hot water do not mix well. Alternate with water, and do not use the tub if you have had a lot to drink. The NHS explains the risks of drinking too much.
- Getting out: have a warm dressing gown ready. The NHS page on hypothermia is a reminder that cold air on wet skin cools you quickly.
- Children: under-12s at 36°C or below, always supervised.
- Pregnancy: you shouldn't use a hot tub or sauna while pregnant.
- Decorations: keep fairy lights and extension leads well away from the water. Only use outdoor-rated, RCD-protected sockets.
- Cover: lock it on after every use, especially with visiting children around.
Festive touches that are spa-safe
- Set the spa lights to red and green, or add a floating colour LED (£12).
- Use an aromatherapy cartridge such as eucalyptus (£10) in a spa with an aromatherapy basket, rather than oils or bath products in the water.
- Put blankets and a hot drinks station on a table next to the tub, not on the cover.
Gift ideas for hot tub owners
| Gift | Price |
|---|---|
| Universal weighted headrest | £25 |
| Water-filled booster seat cushion | £12.95 |
| Lavender aromatherapy cartridge | £10 |
| Top mount cover lifter | £108.50 |
| Hot Tub Health Check | £225 |
For more ideas see our Christmas gift ideas for your hot tub.
Choosing a hot tub?
Compare our hot tubs and swim spas, or visit our showroom near Gatwick.