Oh My Gosh, You’re Putting in a Pool! Channel Your Inner Clark Griswold This Winter.
One of our favorite Christmas movies is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s a classic story of a wholesome Midwestern family, the Griswolds, who experience just about every mishap that could occur throughout the holiday season, from Christmas lights not working to an inedible, overcooked turkey.
Quite a few of the hysterical “problems” throughout the film are a direct result of the well-meaning, yet slightly daft, Clark Griswold making questionable decisions. Let’s be honest, greasing the bottom of a metal sled with non-nutritive food varnish before going down a tall sledding hill is never a good idea. But part of what makes the movie such so well-loved is that everything Clark does is fueled by his desire to create the perfect Christmas for his family – including using his Christmas bonus to put in a pool. With all of Clark’s snafus, let’s focus on the things he gets right when it comes to his pool dream.
Start Planning Early
When the ground is frozen, it seems a little counterintuitive to consider putting in a pool, doesn’t it? Not really. By starting the planning process early, you will be able to enjoy your pool as soon as the weather warms rather than the entire summer season being consumed with construction. Not only does the design and permitting process take time, but the most in-demand design and installation companies (as in, the ones you can trust to create the pool of your dreams) book out months in advance. If the winter weather has you dreaming of sunbathing poolside in your own backyard, now is the time to get started.
Related: Putting in a Pool in the Western Suburbs Doesn’t Have to be a Hassle
Think About How the Pool Will Be Used
One of the most iconic scenes of the movie is when Clark is looking out the kitchen window, envisioning his family (well, and Mary from the lingerie counter) enjoying the pool. Even Cousin Eddie gets to be there – though you will most likely want to exclude him from your vision. When you’re daydreaming about your own pool, think about how it will be used. Do you want to have a shallow section for your kids to play with a deeper end for swimming? Perhaps you love to entertain and know the pool needs to be large to accommodate all your guests. Or do you love the relaxing and skin-soothing benefits of salt water and prefer it to a traditional chlorinated pool?
When we first start working with a client who is interested in installing a pool, one of the first things we ask is what their goals are for its use. It’s always helpful when a client has given that some thought before the initial consultation because we are able to get to the first phase of the design that much sooner. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what options exist – tell us what you’d love in your pool, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Related: Creating a Luxurious Backyard Poolscape: An Insider View
Don’t Get Discouraged
If there is one major lesson we can glean from Clark Griswold’s adventures, it is to remain focused on the end goal despite setbacks. Having been in business for more than 30 years, we know all too well that unexpected challenges occur when installing projects. We are at the mercy of permits, the weather, the availability of materials, and even subcontractors. What sets us apart from many other companies, though, is our communication. We pride ourselves in keeping you informed throughout every step of the process, including any potential delays. Our focus is to complete projects efficiently but never at the expense of quality. Our expert craftsmanship ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy your new pool for years to come.
We hope that in the busyness of the holiday season, you are able to connect with family and spend some time outdoors (we know, we know…just bundle up). Family memories are so important; Clark Griswold demonstrated that for us as he tried to create the perfect holiday for his loved ones.
Montano’s loves to create the perfect outdoor spaces for families to make memories, and we’d love to help you with yours in 2025. The happiest of holidays from our family to yours!