Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: stuart on December 15, 2004, 02:58:29 pm

Title: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 15, 2004, 02:58:29 pm
I’ve thinking a lot about this Christmas season (of course) and I feel very lucky to be in the industry that I am. As people shop for a new iPod for their loved ones to listen to music by themselves or a new game controllers that they can play games alone or even a set of high end head phones so they can shut the rest of the world out, I thankful that we encourage people to spend their money on items that cause loved ones to interact.  

As we have all posted here many times, Spas bring families together in a great “gathering” environment. Pool Tables, Ping Pong, Foosball, Dartboards and other game room items encourage conversation and interaction instead of sitting in front of a TV screen and ignoring one another.

What I want for Christmas is family time! I don’t want a bunch of menial gifts that meant nothing more than a quick “this will do” decision at a mall somewhere, in fact, I would prefer a home made candle or picture frame or anything that meant someone put something of themselves into it.

Quite often we get into the realm of buying the coolest or latest gadget, spending a small fortune on Christmas yet not stopping our fast pace long enough to actually enjoy one another.

As you work your sales floor this Christmas season remember that your adding to the real spirit of Christmas with your wares by creating more family time!

Merry Christmas and thanks to all of you that help promote such a great industry and to all of you that give your time so freely on this board encouraging so many to join us in Spatopia!


BTW, what big things are all of you guys doing this Christmas with your families?
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: shoemaker on December 15, 2004, 03:16:48 pm
Hey Stuart,

We are gathering at our house for the Holiday. We will have 15 family members from age 81 to 18 months. I love this time of year because as you say, it's much more than just gifts. (Of which we stopped exchanging about 5 years ago.) Each family (within the Family) now makes a Donation to a local charity which makes a lot more sense than giving to each other. Not that we are rich, because we are not. But we had been exchanging gifts for almost 25 years and it seemed pointless when other people could use the help.

Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: HotTubMan on December 15, 2004, 03:43:39 pm
Hey Stu!

Nice post. This my babies first Christmas, so I anticipate that she will get spoiled as she is the first grandchild for both of our parents, and I think that is just great.

Luckily both our parents are located in the same city, so we will be staying at both houses, likely gatering as a larger group at some point. Next we travel for 6 hours so my little one can meet the only great grandparent she has not met yet. This will be a huge fanily gathering as my mother-in-laws family is comprised of 9 siblings.

I am more interested in receiving things that I need this year than things I might want. I did ask for a fancy 7 button mouse so that I can be even more lazy while spending time here.

I am most excited about spending time with my parents, her parents (Is it weird to like and get along with the in-laws?) and to see all the joy the baby will bring all of us.

HotTubMan
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Gary on December 15, 2004, 03:52:32 pm
I want more chrome for my motorcycle ;D
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 15, 2004, 04:05:19 pm
Quote
I want more chrome for my motorcycle ;D


Isn't the pavement a bit hard on that stuff?        
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: zzaphod42 on December 15, 2004, 05:28:31 pm
Congrats HTM!

I experienced something similar last year with my son's first Christmas. He was also the first for both sets of grandparents...though my sister had a little girl four months later.

Although non-religious, I am very greatful for the quality time that I get to spend with my family this time of year. A last minute "gotta get SOMEthing" gift doesn't compare with time spent with loved ones...not to mention the turkey dinner(s)  :) :) :)

Joe
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 15, 2004, 07:21:42 pm
Quote
Although non-religious, I am very greatful for the quality time that I get to spend with my family this time of year.


No matter, the closes thing to Heaven on earth that I know is when I little girl wraps her arms around my neck and says, "Daddy your the best!".  HTM, your in for a lot of increadible moments!

Shoe,
I gotta say, I commend you and your family buddy! That is exactly what I was looking to hear when I did this topic....
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Yorag on December 15, 2004, 07:50:49 pm
....my dam* Cal Spa fixed. >:(

The wonderful, oh so helpful factory in Pomona is now jerking their authorized service tech. all around about the acrylic repair kits. It seems the kits cost $100 each and are supposed to repair about 10 blisters. Tech. got 2 kits thinking that would be plenty for my dozen blisters..well guess what...2 kits gone and only 2 blisters patched. :-/

At this rate it's going to cost me $1500 to repair all of the f'n blisters. I'm not even sure the spa is worth that....
The tech. is looking for another source for the acrylic patch kits.
If any of you have any ideas on this, please feel free to share them.
It's been almost 3 months that I have not been able to use my spa.  :'(
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: shoemaker on December 15, 2004, 09:31:02 pm
Quote

Shoe,
I gotta say, I commend you and your family buddy! That is exactly what I was looking to hear when I did this topic....


Thanks, Stu......
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: ZzTop on December 16, 2004, 04:55:10 am
Well I will be spending my Christmas with my Wife in a Nursing Home.

While that does not seem like much fun, I feel fortunate to see a side of life that I have not been exposed to before.  Makes me feel humble.

I look at the Residents, some of them over 100 years old, and see them smile and I wonder about their life experiences and watch them interact with their extended families.

Anyway I wish you all Peace and Goodwill

Merry Christmas

Regards, Zz
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Tman122 on December 16, 2004, 06:01:57 am
Make your wife some ice candles for x-mas (if you live in a climate condusive to it) Take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it about 6 inches from the bottom with water, set outside. After it is completely frozen set a weighted coffee can in the center on top of the ice fill to top of coffee can. Here's where you can get creative, food coloring, bottom half, top half, pine bows, holly, any number of things you can freeze inside the ice. Use the weighted coffee can to hold your pine bows down inside the ice. After it has frozzen completely use hot water to remove the coffee can and hot water on the outside to remove it from the 5 gallon bucket, insert candle and wait for the oooows.
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Tman122 on December 16, 2004, 06:03:18 am
Don't pour water inside the coffee can pour it around it, had to clear that up. Ice cream bucket and a soup can will work to.
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Lori on December 16, 2004, 07:33:32 am
 :'( A new hot water heater...my spa fixed...an acceptance letter...safe passage to and from my grandparents house...a pancreas transplant for another Lorie (but thankful she got the kidney this year)...I could list a million things, really!

When I first read the title, I wanted to reply, "My Two Front Teeth"!!!  LOL!  
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: xrdirthead on December 16, 2004, 07:39:28 am
Thanks Stuart!
I sent this to my wife asking for a "family" present for Christmas this year......what could be better than a present that brings the family together to just sit, soak and talk.
(don't know if she'd go for the "Sarena Bay" but it's worth a shot)
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 16, 2004, 12:54:04 pm
Quote
Thanks Stuart!
I sent this to my wife asking for a "family" present for Christmas this year......what could be better than a present that brings the family together to just sit, soak and talk.
(don't know if she'd go for the "Sarena Bay" but it's worth a shot)

Well just be willing to take a step down and do the "Lotus Bay"! (ya, like that would be a step down) ;)
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Drewski on December 16, 2004, 01:06:12 pm
Hey Guys:

Not to put a damper on stuff, but I think you should read Zz's post more carefully...

Zz, I hope your wife is doing better and things are OK. Going through resident care during the holidays is NOT fun. I recently went through this with my mom, so I appreciate what you may be facing.

Take care and God bless...

Drewski

:-/
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 16, 2004, 01:14:50 pm
I have been in contact with Zz by email for a while and have to say, he's a trooper! With his world turned upside down he looks for treasure on the bottom!

Your my kinda guy Zz and I think often about your situation….

Understand that you've become a part of people you don't even know and we pull for you daily. I'm proud to call you my friend and to know that there are people like you out there that don't grovel in depression at times like this but maintain an active role in life as addition to the drive of human beings and look for the tools to move forward.

We greatly appreciate your part of this forum!
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Chas on December 16, 2004, 02:17:51 pm
Quote
Take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it about 6 inches from the bottom with water, set outside. After it is completely frozen set a weighted coffee can in the center on top of the ice fill to top of coffee can.
OK, I've got all of that done. Now, how long should I wait for it to freeze up?
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Chas on December 16, 2004, 02:20:05 pm
Quote
Well I will be spending my Christmas with my Wife in a Nursing Home.

Anyway I wish you all Peace and Goodwill

Merry Christmas

Regards, Zz


??? What's up???
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: HotTubMan on December 16, 2004, 02:21:02 pm
Quote
OK, I've got all of that done. Now, how long should I wait for it to freeze up?

Chas;

If you are placing it outside, it should freeze up are the same time that hell freezes over. 8)
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 16, 2004, 02:21:29 pm
Quote
OK, I've got all of that done. Now, how long should I wait for it to freeze up?

Have you ever heard the expression "it will be a cold day in....."

I would say in California you won't have to wait more than a century for the elements to change enough for freezing conditions there. ;D ;) 8)
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: HotTubMan on December 16, 2004, 02:42:29 pm
.....and dumb ones seldom differ........
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: Lori on December 16, 2004, 02:59:00 pm
Zz!!

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!

You are a valuable member here, and I have wondered where you got off to...now I understand a bit more.  Thank you for your insights!  

I wish you all a very safe, happy, and rewarding holiday season!!!
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: stuart on December 16, 2004, 02:59:16 pm
Quote
.....and dumb ones seldom differ........

We posted that at the exact same time....
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: shoemaker on December 16, 2004, 04:49:48 pm
Quote
Chas;

If you are placing it outside, it should freeze up are the same time that hell freezes over. 8)


Too late. That already happened in October when the Red Sox won the World Series !!

;D
Title: Re: All I want for Christmas is....
Post by: shoemaker on December 16, 2004, 04:54:47 pm
Zz,

I never spoke with you or sent PM's or anything. But you and your family will be in my prayers.

Let's hope that God looks down on you and puts peace in your heart.