Thursday, September 2, 2010

Five Great Ideas For A Stay At Home Vacation

By Ellen Parsons

Families used to count on going on vacation once a year, but many are finding it too costly to travel on holiday these days. Even if you can't afford a get-away this year, there are still many exciting activities you can indulge in for fun. Vacations might not be an option this year, so try a staycation. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite.

You might actually enjoy the process of renovating your home, preferring to do improvements instead of hiring professionals. Since you've got a week off from work, why not take one room and work on changing it into something bold and new. There are so many options to explore, including painting it a vibrant color with accent trim, shining up light fixtures and fans, and moving furniture around.

Make it a day of culture by visiting museums, libraries, and local art galleries. Tour historic sites in your area and read up on what your city or state is famous for. If you're in New Jersey, look into why it's called the "Garden State." For Missouri, check out why your state is called the "Show me State." There's always a story worth hearing, so make a day of it and get an education in the process.

Schedule a day of you-time by going to a day spa, perhaps even getting a manicure and pedicure. Make time for a massage, and get your hair done in a different, dramatic style. You might consider changing the color of your hair or adding highlights. If you're open to the idea, you may want to try out a henna tattoo.

Try a theme for each night of the week. On "picture day," you can see a movie, take pictures of the sunset, and then rent a movie for later on that night. On "animal day," you might consider visiting a zoo or local farm and then watching animal shows on television. Perhaps you could go root for a local baseball team on "sports day," then watch "Field of Dreams" later on at home.

Try to get outside if the weather allows, perhaps hiking or camping. These are great ways to soak up the beauty of nature while also getting in some exercise time. If you can convince your friends to camp out with you without all of their usual electronic devices, such as cell phones, portable games, and PDAs, you can enjoy a night under the stars like they did in the old days.

Even if money is tight for you right now, it is certainly possible to enjoy your time off from work without traveling far or spending a fortune. Looking around the area in which you live, you'll find interesting sights to visit and things to do that don't require much travel. Take a chance on a staycation instead of a vacation, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you'll have.

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