10 Outdoor Living Gift Ideas the Entire Family will Enjoy

The holidays are a time when families gather and in Dallas, with its milder climate, that can mean gathering indoors or out. Here are ten outdoor living gift ideas that will bring ongoing enjoyment to the entire family.

1.) A Fire Pit creates an instant atmosphere of intimacy: a space where families and friends can gather around a glowing fire and talk about past memories while creating new ones. Custom fire pits are a wise investment in Dallas where the fall/winter/spring seasons are mild and the warmth of a fire pit extends entertaining possibilities outdoors. In fact, we find our clients end up using their outdoor fire pits much more than their indoor fireplaces. Store-bought, portable fire pits are often poorly constructed and do not offer the same ease-of-use and aesthetic benefits of a professionally built custom fire pit. Contact Bonick Landscaping at 972-243-9673 to find out how we can design the perfect fire pit to complement your yard and landscape.

2.) Up the ante in your outdoor living space with an Outdoor TV where you and your family and friends can enjoy your favorite sporting events, movies, games, and TV shows. Outdoor TVs are well-designed to stand up to outdoor weather conditions, including temperatures up to 122 degrees and as low as -24 degrees, as well as rain, dirt, insects, and scratches. Popular outdoor TV brands include SunBrite (the market leader), MirageVision, and SkyVue.

3.) Everyone has heard of flower-of-the-month clubs and the giving of flowers and plants on special occasions has always been a well-received and thoughtful gift. In fact, the custom of giving flowers dates back to prehistoric times and history, stories, and myths dating back to ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt indicate the giving flowers was considered one of the best ways to express emotions. For a new twist on an old custom, and one that makes a grand statement that can be enjoyed year-round, the gift of Seasonal Color Services from Bonick Landscaping is the ultimate in romantic gestures. You can purchase customized seasonal color services for the entire year, one season, or anything in-between. Our seasonal color services include adding colorful plants and annual flowers to beds and containers in your yard and to porches, patios and other outdoor areas.

4.) You don’t have to be a scientist to know the many benefits of music and nothing creates that “extra something” in terms of outdoor ambience (especially for outdoor parties and entertaining) than music. Outdoor Speakers come in many sizes, shapes, and prices. The good news is that you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get great sound. With so many choices, we recommend you read online reviews and/or visit your favorite audio store before choosing; this is a category where “most expensive” doesn’t necessarily translate into “best.”

5.) How often have you eaten outdoors on a restaurant patio and enjoyed the benefits of a Patio Heater? While they don’t create the ambience of a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, they are a good heat source and like other heat options, can extend the season for outdoor entertaining in your backyard. Propane patio heaters can be difficult to light in windy conditions, which can also disrupt their flames, but if it’s too windy, you’re likely to head indoors at that point anyway.

6.) Like seasonal color landscaping services, water features such as a Fountain also present the opportunity for a meaningful romantic gift to your spouse. Water features add beauty to your landscape and are appreciated not just for their looks but also for their soothing ambient sounds that provide tranquility while blocking out less desirable neighborhood noises, such as traffic. Bonick Landscaping has an impressive portfolio of custom fountains and water features, each designed to fit the architecture of the home and the style of the overall landscaping. Call us at 972-243-9673 to learn more or visit our website to see examples.

7.) For both fun and a place to relax and perhaps read, Porch Swings are now back in vogue. Many are actually day beds, making them the perfect place to catch an outdoor cat nap and the perfect gift for the ultimate leisure-lover. Porch swings also offer ample seating room for social gatherings. Our only caveat: because of their weight and the motion, a sturdy beam and careful installation are required.

8.) Another popular gift idea for adding heat and light to an outdoor area that is particularly popular in the southwest is the Chiminea. Chimineas are based on traditional Spanish fireplaces and like fireplaces, some are well-designed and built to produce heat and others are not. This is a category where it is worth doing your research as most of the clay versions on the market that you find in big box stores etc. are not a good heat source. Better options are the cast iron and cast aluminum versions.

9.) Although not an item that is necessarily on people’s minds this time of year, a Ceiling Fan on an outdoor deck or mounted in a pergola can extend your outdoor living in the warmer months in Dallas. While it may not be a romantic or “sexy” gift, it is one that will be greatly appreciated and enjoyed. There are two types of outdoor ceiling fans: wet-rated and damp-rated. Wet-rated fans are sealed and their wiring is specifically designed to not short. If your fan is going to be exposed to moisture, you need a wet-rated fan designed to withstand rain, wind, and snow. Damp-rated fans are designed for enclosed exterior spaces and high humidity indoor spaces. The interior wiring for a damp-rated fan is protected and a non-corrosive cover is used over the motor.

10.) Who hasn’t thought at one time or another about how nice it would be to have a Hot Tub or Spa for the ultimate in relaxation after a stressful day? The word “spa” is an acronym for the Latin “salus per aquam”, which literally means “health from water.” There are many choices when it comes to hot tubs. Many people don’t like the look of above-ground or prefab hot tubs. A more aesthetic alternative is a custom-built, in-ground spa or small plunge pool that can be heated or cool, depending upon the season. Like all of the gifts listed here, a spa is a gift for the entire family to be enjoyed for years to come. For more information on custom-built spas contact Bonick Landscaping at  972-243-9673.

For over 30 years, Bonick Landscaping has served Dallas area clients with the highest standards looking for out-of-the-ordinary luxury landscape design and pools by offering the best in service, workmanship, and plantings. Services include hardscape and landscape design, pool designs, pool construction and installation, estate management, lawn care services and garden maintenance, pool maintenance, and more. For discerning clients in Dallas who want to express their own distinctive style through their landscaping, Bonick Landscaping can help you realize your dream. Call us at 972-243-9673 or visit our website at www.bonicklandscaping.com.