The word of the year has to be ‘Staycation’. Apparently it’s the only way to have a holiday this year as we’re all so cash strapped during the credit crunch. But what is a staycation?
Read on to find out more…
Essentially it’s a holiday at home. Simple as that.
However, it can be so much more. It’s always useful to have a few ideas and handy hints to ensure your holiday at home is as enjoyable as possible. So I’ve compiled my Top 10 ideas for making the most of your staycation, whether its a weekend, a week or a fortnight.
Top Ten Tips For Making The Most Of Your Staycation
1. Unplug The Phone
That’s right – switch off your mobile, unplug your landline and hide your laptop. Truly get away from it all for the ultimate relaxing break away from work and your normal life. This is a time for no interruptions.
2. Food & Drink
There’s no need to spend a fortune if you can’t or don’t want to. Keep it simple.
- Think European chic – a baguette, some scrummy camembert and a bottle of red vino and you have a succulent lunch.
- Think Mediterranean – the Italians have it nailed. A simple spaghetti dish with prawns, garlic and chilli oil and a tricolore salad with parmesan shavings makes a tasty tea.
- Have a BBQ in the garden, take a picnic to the park or buy fish and chips at the beach.
- Find all the recipes you need on the BBC Food website
- Stock up on food before your staycation to avoid shopping, or if you have to shop do it online and get it delivered straight to your fridge door!
- If you do want to splash out, treat yourself to a takeaway or splurge on a nice bottle of wine rather than the cheapest one going.
3. Dogs and other pets
If you have a dog, it seems unfair (and expensive) to cart them off to a kennel but why not get a pet sitter to walk your dog every day and give you a break? Alternatively use this time as an opportunity to spend more time with your family pet; long walks in the country, swimming in the sea etc…
If you have smaller caged pets you can always see if a friend will look after your hamster or budgie for the week.
4. Household Chores and Bills
Avoid at all costs! You can survive for a fortnight without washing or hoovering when you holiday away from home, so why not when you holiday at home.
- Pay your bills before you go so it’s one less thing to worry about.
- Have a thorough tidy up before your holiday is due to start – it’ll last all week then and save you dusting, scrubbing and hoovering.
- Pack your clothes into a suitcase as you would for a normal holiday and just use these and avoid washing any clothes.
5. Day Trips and Meals Out
The Money Saving Expert forum offers the perfect opportunity to find some great deals which helps you pay less for day trips and eating out.
All the information you need is at your fingertips on UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments and is regularly updated.
6. Evenings
Don’t get stuck into the routine of plonking in front of the TV and watching what you’d normally watch. Make the effort to do any of the following.
- Go to the cinema
- Have a meal in your favourite restaurant or go to one you’ve always wanted to try
- Enjoy a long romantic walk whilst the sun sets
- Play tennis in the evening at your local park or fitness centre
7. Indulge
- Find your local health spa and spend a day lounging in the jacuzzi, sitting in the steam room or sauna or swimming in the pool.
- End your day with a steaming hot bubble bath, light some candles and pop open a bottle of bubbly wine whilst you read a good book.
8. Relax
- If you’re lucky enough to have the sun out, do some sunbathing in the garden, a local country park or head along to the nearest beach with a good book. Don’t forget the sunscreen though!
- Do as the Spanish do and have a siesta
9. Explore
Investigate your local area. Our doorstep is often the one place we don’t get to see in all its glory, so use this time to visit those interesting places.
A good place to start is your Tourist Information Centre, or try The National Trust or English Heritage for interesting places to visit. If you plan on visiting a few, it could be cheaper to invest in an annual membership card.
10. Learn A New Skill
Take this opportunity to discover a new hobby or learn a new skill. Suggestions include:
- Try a Yoga or Tai Chi class.
- Learn how to bake bread, fresh pasta or make a cake.
- Have a go at playing a new sport at your local leisure centre such as badminton, tennis or trampolining.
- Try your hand at photography (everyone has a camera) or painting a favourite scene.
A few last words…
Plan your staycation so you make the most of your time. You’d do this on a holiday away – treat this exactly the same. Plus it helps make your holiday at home a stress-free occasion.
Set a budget. Remember this is one of the reasons you’re doing a staycation, to save money. Without a budget to stick to you’re likely to overspend and defeat the whole objective of holidaying cheaply.
Take lots of pictures! You’ll look back on your holiday snaps in the future with a smile on your face and lots of happy memories.
(Image from m o d e on Flickr)