Category Archives: Holidays and Gift Ideas

Pool Accessories For Summer

Pool Caddy Pool Side Organizer
Check out our selection of pool accessories that will help you start summer off right! We carry all of this, and much more, at BYCP!

  • Pool Alarms, which alert you to large objects breaking the pool’s surface
  • Pool Fountains that add elegance and charm to your pool
  • Maintenance Equipment, such as brushes and nets
  • Pool Lights, for dazzling decoration and function
  • Outdoor Clocks and Thermometers
  • Anti-Entrapment devices which provide safety
  • Pool Signs with safety message, clever reminders, etc.
  • Pool-side organizers

Put Your Pool to Work for Outdoor Gatherings

The next time you plan a romantic dinner or cozy gathering on the patio or at poolside, put your swimming pool to work.  Pool fountains create a dramatic backdrop for any outdoor event, and they provide an easy and tasteful way to dress up your outdoor areas.

Some pool fountains spray in multi-leveled tiers and provide an elegant effect:

Other pool fountains feature spinning parts that create beautiful arcs and patterns of falling water:

Raindance Spinning Fountain

For a more subtle visual effect, there are also pool fountains that recreate the naturally soothing sounds of waterfalls:

Kutstone Cubic Scupper Pool Fountain

Using any kind of pool fountain allows you to turn your swimming pool into a key contributor to the ambiance and style of your outdoor gathering.   Whether dramatic or subtle, your pool fountain will certainly impress your guests.

New Year’s Resolutions for Pools

Now that 2011 is coming to a close, have you started thinking about what your New Year’s resolutions will be?  If you own a backyard swimming pool, will any of those resolutions include a plan to open up your pool sooner in 2012 rather than waiting until the swimming season has long begun?

Part of what makes this kind of resolution successful is to start planning early for opening the pool.  Take the time now to check your existing stock of pool chemicals, and keep an eye out for off-season sales so you can nab these necessities at the best prices.

Take a look, too, at your pool equipment to evaluate whether it may be time to replace or upgrade items like the pool pump, pool heater, or pool covers.  Test your pool alarm while you’re at it to be sure that it is still in good working order.

New Year’s resolutions like these can be accomplished easily and with little stress involved, especially if you enlist the help of family members.  Make a short list of tasks you’d like to accomplish in order to get your pool opened in a timely fashion, and stick to it.  Before you know it, the warm weather will return, and you’ll be ready to relax by the poolside instead of scrambling to complete pool-opening tasks.

Relax by the Pool

The Only Sport That Can Save a Life

Did you know that swimming is the only sport that can save a life?  By learning how to swim, or by strengthening your existing swimming skills, you have a much better chance of staying safe in the swimming pool.  Lessons for adults and children are available year round at many community centers, YMCAs or YWCAs, and Red Cross facilities.  Now is the best time to improve swimming ability because there’s plenty of time to learn this vital life-saving skill well before swimming season begins again.  

If you like to give meaningful gifts for the holidays, consider giving swim lessons to your favorite water-loving adult or child.  Swimming lessons make a unique, long-lasting, and life saving gift.  It would be hard to find any other gift that offers benefits like that! 

For more information about the importance of swimming lessons and knowing how to swim, watch this short and helpful video from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely campaign.

Warm Weather Gifts for Year Round Fun

Not everyone lives in a climate that requires closing the backyard swimming pool at some point in the year.  In fact, many of our southern friends are probably reading this blog poolside while soaking in the warm rays of the sun.  Before you step away from the computer to top off your iced tea or fruity beverage, consider adding a couple of sure-to-please pool gifts to your holiday giving plans this year.  Your pool-loving family and friends will get the pleasure of enjoying them right away, and you’ll be done with your shopping all the sooner.

Here are just a few ideas that always bring big smiles and even bigger fun:

1.  Remote controlled water soaker

Remote Control Water Soaker

2.  Floating basketball game

Floating Cool Jam Basketball

3.  Mermaid swim fin

Mermaid Swim Fin

4.  Starfighter pool float

Starfighter Pool Float with Squirt Gun

Even if you don’t live in a warmer climate and you’re reading this snuggled up by the glow of your fireplace, you will still bring a thrill to your pool-loving friends and family members with these gifts.  They can look forward to using their new pool gear when swimming pool season rolls around again, and the anticipation might just inspire them to help you with pool-opening tasks this time.  An unexpected gift for you, too!