Hot Gift Ideas for Your Pool and Patio Lover

I've examined their products at a few design shows, including Dwell on Design, and they are remarkable. They look good, they even feel good. While their patio-sized fire pits are a bit pricey, a smaller, tabletop version could provide the right amount of warmth and ambience as you cuddle with your special person at a patio table or balcony.

For many warm and fuzzy moments after enjoying a relaxing soak in your spa, a towel warmer may be the hottest gift idea for your Valentine. Towel warmers will heat up towels quickly, making them nice and toasty for when you're ready to exit the hot tub and make the mad dash back into the house. Some are large enough to warm robes, blankets, mittens, hats, slippers, etc.

The movie that put hot tubs back on the map, or at least the idea of the hot tubbin' lifestyle that some people enjoyed in the 1970s and 1980s. While Hot Tub Time Machine didn't win awards at Cannes or Sundance, it is a goofy, brainless, time-travel film that guys and college students seem to love. So ladies -- this may be his favorite film since Animal House, Porky's, or Caddyshack. Let him be the judge.

Rose petals are usually available at your local florist or online. Earlier in the day, heat up the spa to a comfortably warm, not hot, temperature, then turn off the jets and put on the cover. Shortly before "tub time," simply scatter the rose petals on top of the water.

Make sure the jets remain off, so that your filter doesn't fill up with rose petals or you don't end up with boiled petals. If you have platforms or edges on the sides of the hot tub, light a few candles for added intimacy. Collect the rose petals with a leaf net, turn on the jets, and enjoy a relaxing, sweet-scented soak.

An alternative to the real thing: soap rose petals (compare prices) -- which smell nice and might last a bit longer than real ones.

Create a little night magic by setting the mood with subtle lighting effects. The Floating Glow Lantern adds ambiance to any outdoor setting. Hang the lantern from an umbrella, set it on a table, float it in a pool, pond or spa. Buy several to light up a walkway for safety reasons or to illuminate your landscape.

The Floating Glow Lantern expands to 7 inches high and features four light patterns. A ring hook on top of each lantern makes it easy to hang or join together. Automatically shuts-off after three hours; powered by three AA batteries (not included).