Hey Guys!
Let’s talk vacations. Taking a winter vacation can be an alluring escape from the cold weather, ESPECIALLY since most people are already taking time off of work for the holidays and schools are out. Laying on a beach instead of freezing my butt in the snow? YES PLEASE! But let’s be real, vacations can put a huge strain on your bank account, especially if kids are in the picture. Not to mention sometimes you end up feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation because you come home feeling exhausted from trying to make the most of your trip. I am totally THAT person, and as much as I enjoy going on vacation, sometimes I prefer to just use my time off to stay at home, relax and do fun things locally. Staycations are my JAM! I get soooo much extra rest and relaxation and save a ton of money by doing local activities. In today’s post I’m sharing a few tips and ideas for planning a winter staycation.
NO WORK
This is kind of a no-brainer for any type of vacation, but it’s honestly SO hard to stop yourself from doing any work when you’re at home with a ton of things that you need to catch up on. No matter how hard it is, put your to-do list away and don’t do any work! If I’m being honest, I don’t even like to cook while I’m having a staycation. With all the money you’re saving from flights and hotels, why not treat yourself to dinner at a nice restaurant or order take-out instead? Less work = more relaxation.
TREAT YOURSELF TO A SPA DAY
The BEST way to start a staycation is to have a spa day! You would get your nails done for any other vacation, so why not? Throw in a full body massage and you’ll be in full relaxation mode. Honestly, this is such a MUST for me whenever I do a staycation. We always plan a couples massage and follow up with a candle-lit soak in the tub once we get home and a lazy night in. If you have kids, take them with you and make it a fun day out. I can’t wait until baby Mia is big enough to go get her nails done with me!
GAMES NIGHT
This is such a fun idea no matter if you’re single, in a relationship, or have kids. Plan a games night – either do a variety of games or pick one game and do it tournament style and let everyone get a little competitive! I freaking LOVE board games, and its such a great way to let loose and have some fun without spending a dime.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
In my opinion, winter staycations are extra special because there are SOO many fun holiday and winter-themed activities to do. It’s the most magical time of year, so why not take advantage of all the activities happening locally? I’m talking ice skating, skiing, going to see festive lights, visiting the Christmas market, the whole shabang! Another great thing about doing a winter staycation during the holidays is that it’s the perfect opportunity to start your own holiday traditions. This is super fun if you have kids, but can also be really fun if you’re single or in a relationship. Spend an afternoon decorating gingerbread houses or baking cookies. Theres so much to do and most of them are free or quite inexpensive which is a double win!
STOCK UP ON BOOKS
I LOVE reading, but I don’t always have the time to indulge in a good book without getting sidetracked by the many other things I have to get done. Stocking up on all the latest books and getting lost in them while cuddled in front of the fireplace is the PERFECT way to spend a quiet afternoon. Don’t forget the hot chocolate to make it extra special.
BINGE WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE SHOWS
OK, let’s be honest here. The absolute BEST part about the holidays is all of the Christmas movies on TV, am I right?! I could probably spend the entire Christmas holidays just binge-watching movies on TV, because why not? It’s also a fun idea to make a family movie night out of it, complete with comfy PJs and snacks.
SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP!
Last but certainly not least, spend some time during your staycation catching up on some Zzz’s. One of the problems with traditional vacations is that you usually end up coming back exhausted rather than well rested. This is probably one of the greatest things about staycations, so take full advantage!
If you have some time off this holiday season and aren’t planning to travel out of town, use some of these ideas to plan a fun staycation for you and the family. It’s such a great way to make the most of your time off without spending too much money and while taking advantage of all that’s happening around you locally. I feel like I’m on a permanent staycation while I’m home on maternity leave, and I plan to do ALL of these things!
Cheers to a merry staycation this holiday season,
