Happy Summer!!

With all this lovely sunshine ☀️, I’m right in the mood to plan some adventures – and where better to begin than in my own backyard?

Let’s get right into it!

What IS a Staycation?

A staycation is an alternative to the traditional vacation. Staycation quite literally means a stay-in, vacation!

This allows you to be fully present without the many additional stresses of travel, and to spend quality time alone, or the people that really matter in your life 🤍

It can be easy to take your most important relationships in life for granted, including the one with yourself. When you’re caught up in work and life tensions, you can often overlook the small joys in life with those you love.

These kinds of vacations are great because they are totally customizable. You can make it an expensive, pampering, luxury stay, or as different and unique as you like!

A vacation often requires an extensive plan and a long journey. If you’re headed to a more remote place, sometimes you’ll need to plan even multiple methods of travel. And maybe learn a little of another language! 😵‍💫 This can easily turn overwhelming. With that being said…

Welcome to the staycation!

Benefits of a Staycation

Planning this type of vacation usually involves staying at home and visiting local attractions. Some people may also choose to stay at a local hotel.

With a staycation, you won’t have to worry about catching a tour bus or flight on time. And you will save several thousands of dollars. Even more ideal if you have a large family! 💸

You will be able to enjoy more time with yourself. There isn’t any packing to do, just relaxing, and you can forget about the extra suitcases needed for babies, toddlers, or multiple kids to manage.

What to Consider, and How to Plan

Are you going to go for more of a family setting, a romantic couples-oriented stay, or do you relish some solace alone? Tropical or home-style oasis? Do you want to decorate, or just declutter and relax in your newly calmed space? Decide on the purpose, and you can create any theme imaginable!

You also have the option to stay in your own city or visit a nearby one. Your stay-in vacation can really be that – staying in – or you can plan to visit some local attractions and events.

Be a tourist in your own city!

6 Ideas for the Perfect Staycation

1. Get Outside

A great way to soak up the sunshine and connect with those you love is to plan a local hiking trip with your sibling or best friend. If you’re not a rigorous hiker, you could also go walking around a new neighborhood to see some different sights!

Planning a picnic with family or friends is always fun too! 🧺 Each person can bring a different dish potluck-style or you can create your own charcuterie boards.

It’s also super trendy right now to decorate your picnic blanket with pillows, a small communal table, flowers, and the like 🌼

Being influenced by new recipes will also help you improve your own cooking skills. And who doesn’t love to be surrounded by delicious food, favourite people, and beautiful scenery?

2. Restyle your Home

Curtains are an easy decor change, but one that makes a lot of impact! Consider swapping to something more light and fresh, or if you’re going for a tropical theme, colorful and citrusy!

You can also rearrange your furniture (I love this!) to create small conversation nooks. Make sure to allot plenty of walking space in between pieces. Move furniture away from the windows to let in more natural light and create a sense of “breezability.”

3. Declutter to Reduce Stress

Staying inside when your house is cluttered and cramped with “stuff” – not relaxing.

Putting on some jazzy music, pouring a glass of wine (this is vacation right?😉), and sorting that procrastinated mountain of mail – verrrry relaxing.

Sort through the pieces of decor you feel need a refresher and set them aside to be replaced or moved to another location in your home. Also sift through your miscellaneous everyday items and your closets for linens, board games, and storage.

Think of a lovely resort – it’s not filled with clutter and unused items. It highlights complimentary decor pieces that have a relaxing, inspiring feel. And gives you plenty of open space.

While you’re relaxing at home, work on creating that sense of lightness and openness you’re craving – so you can keep it all year long.

4. Host a Wine Tasting

A really fun, social idea!

Invite some friends over and have each couple bring one bottle of wine that is cheaper, and one more expensive. Place them in paper bags (to hide the labels), then everyone can try them and choose favourites, before revealing which was the finer wine 😄

This event needs a couple pre-event materials like a corkscrew, two decanters, wine glasses, simple palate-cleansing snacks, and if you’re feeling crafty, wine glass charms! These charms would even be an extra little fun activity to make.

Want to host an even more memorable night? Make a charcuterie board or appetizer plate.

Alternatively, if you live near some wineries, most tour companies offer a package for a guided (optionally romantic🌹) “Staycation-Themed” wine tour.

5. Indoor Oasis at Home

Do you have a spare room at home?

This could be a blank canvas for you to create a fun, tropical indoor oasis – all year round. This is also a great activity to get the kids and whole family involved!

Some great additions could be hammocks, tropical plants, a misting machine, painting patterns or using wall stickers. And for reading materials, travel magazines and books!

A great spot to decompress from work and it will help you feel like you’re a million miles away.

6. Try Out a New Restaurant

What about checking out that new place on the corner you see every day on your drive home from work? The one that is always busy, full of people laughing, and pumping out great music!

This is a fantastic (and delicious!) way to support a local small business and try something new at the same time.

Or head out appy-hopping on a downtown street with yummy tapas-style restaurants.

Try a few dishes at each place!

So What Will Your Staycation Plans Be?

Start planning your staycation now while the ideas are flowing! You deserve it 😌

Make a list of all the local attractions that you have always wanted to enjoy. Search up the new restaurants and entertainment venues in your area. Check your city’s local events calendar!

And savour going easy on your mind and body.

Comment below to share your relaxing summer plans!

And which staycation tip will YOU try out?

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