It is official – staying in is the new going out. Can you remember your last vacation? Taking a holiday is a great way to escape your everyday life, but it is no secret that heading to a tropical beach or jetting off on a glamorous city break can be expensive.
Consequently, a fantastic alternative has been born – the staycation. In case you are new to the idea, a staycation is all about taking a break from your day-to-day duties by staying at home. According to figures from VisitBritain, 59 million staycations took place in the UK in 2017, an increase of almost 6% compared to statistics from 2016.
So, should you be considering a staycation this year? And what can you do to make your staycation that little bit more special? Let us discover 3 tips that can help you to plan a refreshing and revitalizing staycation at home.
Plan Your Staycation Carefully
To ensure that your staycation gets off to the best possible start, be sure to figure out precisely how you want to spend your time. What activities would you like to try in your hometown that you have never done before? Or which activities do you already know about that go down well in your household?
Planning activities holds everyone to account and ensures that you do not waste your staycation without accomplishing anything new or exciting. It can be far too easy to use your time off unproductively by watching television or browsing the internet. Furthermore, if you plan on staying with friends at your home, your internet speed might slow down due to multiple devices. It’s a good idea to schedule ahead of time if you want to switch to a new internet service provider that may provide better speed and security with a fiber-optic internet connection. You can take a sneak peek at Xfinity internet plans or other ISP plans in your vicinity to select from a variety of options that can meet your needs! Also, look for providers who provide online ordering and same-day installation, so you don’t have to worry about the installation process taking too long.
Consequently, if you are craving some rest and relaxation, but the nearest spa is just out of your reach then do not panic. A home spa can be just as effective. Treat yourself to some luxurious face masks, hand creams, and body washes, and enjoy a pamper night from the comfort of your own home. Just make sure that you get something like AC installation in Ocoee and other places to fit an AC system into your home so that you can escape from the heat during the summer period.
Alternatively, if you are more of an adrenaline junkie, a hiking adventure in your closest forest could be just what you need to blow away the cobwebs. If you are a keen cyclist, you could even bring along your bike. Just remember to pack a picnic to make your experience even more special.
Set a Staycation Budget
A huge benefit of opting to take a staycation is that you can save a huge amount of money by not needing to purchase airline tickets, pay accommodation costs, or fork out for any other travel related payments. Deciding how much you want to spend is still important though,
No one should get into debt to pay for a vacation at home or away. While it is okay to splurge every now and again provided that you can afford to do so, remember that your goal is to spend less than you would on a traditional vacation. Additionally, if you do fancy splashing out on something to make your staycation something to remember, make sure it’s something that can be enjoyed for years to come. Perhaps you want to spend money on creating the best log cabin holiday ever – from your own garden. Spending money on sheds and garden buildings (try logcabinkits.co.uk for some inspiration) is an investment, not just spending on something that isn’t going to be loved for many staycations to come.
That being said, there are plenty of free and cheap ways to make memories from the comfort of your home. Dust off those old board games for a competitive game night with some friends or host your own film night by streaming the latest movies from your living room. You could even splurge a little on a new TV or soundbar from a site like https://www.vizio.com/en/tv/overview to really add to the cinematic experience.
A staycation is also a fantastic opportunity to support your local eateries. You can dine in at one of your favourite restaurants, or order a takeaway, the choice is totally up to you.
Do Something Different
One of the main reasons that people go on vacation is for a change of scenery. Therefore, when planning your staycation, you might need to go above and beyond to bring the holiday feeling into your home.
Why not treat yourself to some new bedding? Fresh flowers can brighten up just about any space, and you could also consider setting up a cozy reading corner where you can finally get through the books on your reading list.
You can slip into your comfiest clothes or go all out and dress up – just do whatever makes you happy. Be sure to schedule some time away from social media too as your staycation should be all about connecting with your loved ones in person.
Moreover, quite often there are historic sites and popular tourist spots in your own backyard that you would never have had the time to visit otherwise. Use your staycation as an opportunity to learn about your local area and soak up the sights and sounds of your hometown.
Finally, for any creative souls, a staycation is a unique time to take on a DIY project. Art, textiles, and basic construction tasks can fill your days surprisingly quickly and you should even feel a sense of accomplishment once your project is complete.
Ultimately, planning ahead is essential if you want to get the most out of your staycation. Take some time to think about how to make your time at home feel special and relaxing and use the opportunity to catch up with family and friends. Above all, it is the small things that will make your next staycation worthwhile.