Planning a Staycation
Need a little R&R, but don’t have the time or money to get out of town? Try a staycation with these tips and ideas from the Domestic CEO!
Amanda Thomas
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Planning a Staycation
As the summer draws to a close, you may be feeling like your vacation wasn’t enough R&R. Isn’t it crazy how you can come home more tired from your vacation than when you left?
So maybe before the kids head back to school, or before the busy times of the holidays start creeping closer, take a weekend to unwind. Plan a staycation for yourself and your family–whether that’s just you and the spouse, or you include the kids, as well. A staycation is when you stay at home all weekend and do fun, relaxing things–or when you stay in your hometown, ideally at a hotel, and make unwinding your main goal. Here are some great ideas for a relaxing staycation!.
Set Some Ground Rules:
This might be the trickiest part of the entire staycation. Staying at home and not doing what you normally do is harder than you think–especially for women. You might be tempted to just do that quick clean up job, or that little load of laundry. So set these rules ahead of time, and hold each other accountable:
- No phone (except for emergency use)
- No e-mail
- No computer
- No TV–unless it’s a planned at-home movie night
- No work
- No worry
- No fighting
- Family or couple time only–no going off on your own.
- No cooking
- No cleaning
- No laundry
The point of this staycation is to have time off from the norm. Plan ahead so you can take the time away from work and household duties. Tell people at the office you will be “off the grid” and unreachable for the weekend. Plan your work accordingly so you can make this happen.
Plan Your Staycation Budget
Plan Your Staycation BudgetSet a realistic budget. Part of the idea of a staycation is that you spend less than you would on a regular vacation. However, this doesn’t mean not having any fun. Make sure you’ve got money set aside for eating out and doing a few fun activities that may cost a bit.
Do a Family “Power Clean” of the House Before You Start Your Staycation
This will remove a good amount of stress and let you enjoy your time off. It’s tough to relax if you know there’s a pile of dirty laundry waiting on the couch!
Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
Whether that means you eat out, have food delivered, or throw a pre-planned meal in the crockpot, no one should be slaving over a hot stove or even a grill during your staycation.
Visit your local deli ahead of time and grab some prepared salads, deli meats and cheeses, so you have easy meals on hand that can be enjoyed at a moment’s notice. Use paper plates and plastic utensils so dirty dishes are not part of your weekend.
If you plan to eat out, try a new local restaurant or one that you’ve never been to before. It will be exciting to make a rule that you won’t eat at your usual places! Ditch the fast-food in favor of something local and fresh. You might even want to enjoy a “dessert only” meal!
Plan Some Local Activities You’ve Never Tried Before
Make sure you have ample time to relax during your staycation, but try to enjoy a little bit of activity, too. If you like things planned out, do a little research in your area and find some cool new things to do or places to explore. If you and your family are the more adventurous at heart, have all family members write down a few ideas (approved ahead of time) on individual slips of paper. Drop all those choices in a jar and agree to one activity per day. Whatever gets chosen from the jar is what you’ll do that day!
Here are a few fun activities you may like to try:
- Paintball or Laser Tag: Larger cities usually have this option available. You might be surprised at how much fun this can be for every member of the family!
- Visit a nearby National Park: If you are lucky enough to live near a national park, take a day trip to go for a visit. Pack a simple picnic lunch and enjoy some relaxed time on a picnic blanket, eating and listening to the sounds of nature.
- Take a hike: There are hiking trails everywhere in this country! From easy beginner hikes to the more strenuous paths, there is a level of hiking that’s perfect for anyone. Does the word “hike” make you tremble in your boots? Then take a lovely stroll in a nearby park instead.
- Take in a movie: Go see a movie–and do splurge on the popcorn and candy. If the movie is available to see in 3-D or in an IMAX theater, why not spend the little extra and provide a treat for the whole family?
- Check out a local museum: Just about every city has at least one museum, if not more. You’ll be surprised at what you might learn about the area you live in by visiting a museum. Many museums will offer free admission one day a week, so check in beforehand to see if you can take advantage of that deal.
- Visit the zoo or aquarium: Everyone loves animals and fish, and a relaxed stroll around the zoo can be a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon. If you’re looking for a bargain, check for admission deals on Groupon, or call ahead and ask where you can find a coupon. Most zoos and aquariums are usually running a deal on admission tickets somewhere.
- Go bowling: Bowling is a great way to have fun and still stay cool on a hot summer day. Better yet, try nighttime cosmic bowling; if you’ve got kids, they’ll get a big kick out of this!
- Camp in your backyard: This activity costs nothing, but can create some amazing lifetime memories. Even if you don’t own a tent, construct a tent from old bed sheets. If you’ve got a fire pit, build your “campfire” in the pit and roast weenies and marshmallows. Construct s’mores and eat them under the stars.
- Take a bike ride: A family bike ride is a great way to enjoy your neighborhood. You might meet a few people or find a park or playground that you didn’t know existed. To make the ride even more fun, plan a scavenger hunt. Equip everyone with a list of things to find and a backpack. When you get back home, everyone can compare their findings.
No matter what you choose to do on your staycation, try to make it a stress-free, enjoyable time. Don’t watch the clock, don’t adhere to strict bedtimes, and don’t stress about the little things. Do go with the flow, do enjoy each other’s company, and do eat dessert first!
What have you done on a staycation? Tweet me your pictures @thedomesticceo.
Until next time, I’m the Domestic CEO, helping you love your home!
Photos of laughing family, family hike, and family snuggle courtesy of Shutterstock.
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