What is a Staycation?

The travel media is very excited about staycations these days. A staycation is when you take time off work but you stay home, with your family, friends, kids, dog, neighbors, etc. When you follow these tips, you’ll return from your staycation refreshed and recharged.

1. Take a complete break from all work. Don’t check your email or call work for updates. Leave the beds unmade.
2. Don’t cook if you can avoid it, order take out and use disposable plates and silverware for easy meal clean up, splurge on a night out at a fancy restaurant.
3. Act as you would on a vacation away from home, let the kids stay up past their bedtime.
4. Relax in the sun and read that book you bought months ago and put on the shelf unread.
5. Most importantly have fun with your family – play board games together, make popcorn and rent movies.
6. Go to the park, take family bike rides or long walks in the neighborhood, maybe take in a concert under the stars
7. Visit a museum near you – often they offer entrance fee free days or discounts for locals.
8. Participate together in a creative activity like ceramic painting or a mini-course in photography at the community center.
9. Set aside time for any home activities you enjoy, like gardening or scrap booking, for example.

10.  Remember to include the universal vacation ritual – take lots of photos and videos to share with your friends.

11.  Ask yourself, “If I had company from out of town, where would I take them for the day?” What are the must-see attractions and the secret hideaways in your city?

12.  Check the website of your city’s convention and visitor’s bureau or chamber of commerce for upcoming special events and a list of local attractions.

13.  Treat It Like a Vacation. Make an itinerary for your sightseeing plans. Buy attraction tickets in advance. Grab a city map. Don’t forget your camera!

The decision to spend a staycation at home this year, without either the tension that travel creates or the stress of considerable expenditures in this uncertain economy will be great. You really do deserve this rest and respite. So instead of “bon voyage,” it’s “bonnes vacances a la maison!” This year, just sit back and relax and let your bank account do the same. Come this time next year, your wallet will thank you!