Simple Pleasures: 25 Ways to Make the Most of Your Staycation
Taking time off from work to stay at home is a wonderful way to save cash while still getting the R&R of a vacation. At least it can be … as long as you commit to enjoying yourself and don’t just spend the time catching up on household chores. To make the most of your time off, it’s important to do what you can to shut off the outside world and rid yourself of your usual routines. Choose one or more of these ideas to help you rock your staycation.
1. Savor the outdoors. Part of what is so delightful about being on vacation is being outdoors, so get out there. We may not have a water view, but we can bring our coffee outside in the morning, carry a glass of wine to the deck in the evening or simply sit with a book in the shade and feel the breeze. To boost ambience, set candles and a few bud vases of flowers on your table. If you want to go a step further, hang up outdoor curtains — they make any outdoor space feel special.
2. Host a movie night on the lawn. Hang up a white sheet, rent or buy a simple projector that connects to your laptop or smart phone, and invite some friends over. Bring out some lawn chairs or spread blankets on the lawn, and hand out yummy snacks. The beauty of being at home is that you can serve whatever you want, whether that’s classic popcorn and candy or grownup drinks and cocktail nibbles.
3. Splurge on a plush new robe. And wear it every morning! Let your fresh, fluffy robe signal the start of vacation.
4. Listen to beachy music. Cue up some of your favorite summer tunes and make a few playlists to get in the vacation spirit. If you’ve been wanting to get a few new albums, your staycation is a great excuse to splurge. Music can give us a major mood boost, so listen more often than usual.
5. Hire a massage therapist to come to you. You don’t need to go to a fancy spa to bliss out — have the spa come to you instead. Find a local massage therapist who makes house calls and get ready to relax.
6. Sign up for a one-day class. If you love trying new things on vacation, don’t feel you must miss out just because you are at home. Check out the continuing education department at your local university or community center, or search listings in the free paper to locate upcoming workshops that sound appealing. Try a cooking class, a painting or pottery workshop, or a lecture.
7. Take a guided tour, nature walk or boat ride. Have a beautiful outdoor space or historic landmark in your area? Be a tourist for a day and sign up for a guided tour or hire a nature guide to lead you on a hike. Live by the water? Hop on a whale-watching or fishing boat, or take a dinner cruise.
More Ways to Make the Most of Your Staycation
Simple Pleasures: 25 Ways to Make the Most of Your Staycation
