Work from home, exercise from home, a night out… wait, does picking up take out and eating it at home count? Recently, our homes have become our offices, gyms, restaurants, spas, movie theaters, classrooms, and more. If you’re feeling cabin fever, it makes total sense. However, safety is still a top priority. Forget the luxury beach resort and plan a staycation! You’ll be saving cash while penciling in plenty of quality family time. Quarantine prompting your first staycation? Read below for some essential staycation tips.
4 Staycation Tips For You And Your Family During The Holidays
1 Make a Meal of It
One of the best parts of vacation? The food.
Everyone loves a chance to relax, ditch the diet, and eat to their heart’s content. But when you’re the one doing the cooking, dinner becomes a real chore. Switch it up by preparing simple but delectable dishes for dinner. Here are some ideas for building a no-stress feast:
● Appetizer – Nothing gets the party started like some two-bite foods (preferably melty or crispy). Grilled cheese bites and jalapeno poppers are stand-bys. Feeling lazy and fancy? Make cheese fondue served with plenty of apples, crackers, and crudité.
● Main course – The family may swear they love your tuna sandwiches. But when it’s a staycation, don’t be afraid to indulge a little. One-pot pasta, pan pizzas, and roasts will hit the spot without draining your energy.
● Dessert – It’s not a meal unless there’s a sweet treat as the grand finale. Ring in the holidays with some festive bonbons to make this final course as exciting as the last. Even better, get creative and decorate cookies as a family!
2 Think Relaxing, Not Hectic
When staycation-ing, it can be tempting to pack the activities tighter than sardines. But sometimes, people just want to unwind. After all, vacation is about relaxing, not working.
Take a chill pill and plan a family spa night. With younger kids, think of the typical salon activities but with an engaging twist—colorful face masks and soothing toys like kinetic sand will fit the bill.
And don’t forget the family pooch! Even dogs could use a day off. To calm a hyperactive furry friend, CBDfx has a soothing pet tincture that’s non-toxic and effectively soothing.
3 Roll the Cameras
Nothing sets the holiday mood like a picturesque movie, complete with real-life snow swirling outside. On a stormy night, screen your favorite seasonal classics for the family. Need some recommendations? Check out a few kid-friendly holiday favorites (that the ‘rents will still find equally charming):
● It’s a Wonderful Life
● Elf
● The Year Without a Santa Claus
● The Grinch
● Home Alone
● Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Want to spice up your home theatre? Buy a Roku streaming device for your television to increase your movie options tenfold. And if your hometown stays tropical throughout the holidays, there’s nothing like a backyard screening among the holiday lights.
4 Get Outdoors
A staycation doesn’t have to mean stay-inside-cation. Even in the wintertime, there are tons of exciting outdoor excursions for the entire family to enjoy. Get your spirits and your heart rate up with a few of these cold-weather activities:
● Sledding – When the fresh snow falls, it means one thing: grab a sled and hit the park. Don’t forget warm and cozy kids’ snow pants (and to give your little rugrats a good lesson in steering before sending them on their merry way).
● Hiking – Got some aspiring athletes at home? Sweat it out with an uphill climb that may or may not end in a breathtaking view (snowshoes optional, depending on your climate).
● Ice skating – Whether it’s the frozen pond by your home or a public rink, ice skating is a special seasonal delight. Make sure to enjoy some hot chocolate off the ice.
Final Boarding Call for Home Sweet Home
If you’re fantasizing about island beaches or foreign cities, don’t lose hope. With these staycation tips, your family will see your home as not just a source of comfort, but the destination of the year.
What are some of your staycation suggestions? Please share them in the comments below or on our social media channels!
*This post contains collaborative content.