Staying at home can feel like a drag if you’ve been doing it every day for the past year. With travel and vacation plans delayed or cancelled, now is the time to embrace the staycation!
A staycation doesn’t have to be boring. Sure, it may seem like there’s nothing interesting to do in your own home, but that just isn’t true! There are plenty of exciting things you can do without leaving your house.
In this article, we’ll share some of my best advice on how to make the most out of staying at home. From splurging on new furniture to learning a new hobby, we will explain how you can make a memorable staycation experience for yourself and your family!
Set up your space in advance
Set up your space in advance to make the most out of a staycation. You want everything to be as comfortable and inviting as possible, so you can relax and enjoy your time off.
Try to recreate all the feels of being on vacation by setting up your home accordingly. Put away the bills and other reminders of reality while refashioning your living area into something serene, like a beachy oasis or a cozy cabin retreat!
Take out books, magazines, music and anything else that will help you get into a relaxed mode. Light some candles, place some flowers around, or maybe even bring in some aromatherapy.
With just a few small improvements you’ll be feeling far away from reality in no time!
Spa day
Give yourself a spa day at home! All you need is some essential oils and a few soft towels. Plus, you don’t have to worry about an appointment or transportation.
A spa day can help soothe your senses and melt away stress. Take a hot bath or give yourself an aromatherapy facial– relax in the comfort of your own home!
Making time for a spa day allows you to shut out the world and focus on taking care of yourself. Better yet, invite a few friends over and host a DIY pampering party together!
Creating your own spa day can also be very affordable. You don’t have to splurge on luxury items as everyday items around the house—like olive oil, oatmeal, sugar– make great ingredients for homemade scrubs and masks!
Spend more time than usual in your robe
Why not treat yourself to some indulgence and just wear your robe all day? Spending more time than usual in your cozy robe is an easy staycation idea that costs you nothing but makes you feel extra special.
After all, when was the last time you gave yourself permission to have a robes-only day at home? Taking a break from your regular outfits, makeup routines and hairstyles just might be exactly what you need.
Staying in your robe makes it easier to enjoy lounging in different areas of your home. Why not grab a cup of coffee in the morning while nestled in the warm embrace of your robe? And later sip on a glass of wine with friends or family back in it?
Make the most out of your staycation by taking full advantage of those too-rare days when staying in your robe is totally acceptable.
Play vacation music
Want to get your staycation in the mood and create a tropical atmosphere without leaving home? Put on some vacation-style music!
It may not be the real thing, but it’s a great way to get your mind and body into “vacation mode.” Whether you prefer island tunes, beach sounds or something more exotic, you can find something perfect for letting loose and having fun!
Start off with some classic reggae instrumentals or go full tilt with steel drums and other Caribbean favorites. Get creative with whatever genres you want – there’s no wrong way to make music!
Choose songs that will evoke sunny vibes while still keeping energy up. That might include tropical house, electronic beats or feel-good pop hits. Let the music take you away while staying at home!
Go for a hike
Going for a hike is an amazing activity for any staycation. Not only does it get your heart pumping and give you some fresh air, but it can also teach you a lot about nature.
Exploring your outdoors is a great adventure and it offers wonderful views of the world around you. Breathtaking landscapes and unexpected wildlife sightings can make for some unforgettable memories!
Plus, there’s no need to leave the safety of your backyard or even your city limits when going for a hike. Look up local hiking trails in parks, nature preserves, or even urban forests such as Berlin’s amazing parks!
Wherever you choose to go, take a few snacks along with plenty of water so that you can make the most out of your staycation adventure!
Fill pitchers with water and cut fruit
Turning your home into a mini-resort is easier than you think. To make it feel like you’re still on vacation, fill up pitchers with water and add lots of colorful fruits!
Filling pitchers with fruit-infused water not only looks dreamy, but it tastes fantastic as well. Imagine sitting poolside drinking delicious berry-lemonade or pineapple-coconut spritzers? It certainly adds an exotic touch to any staycation!
Adding sliced oranges, lemons and limes is also a nice way to add flavors that everyone will enjoy. Fill the bottom of the pitcher first with the fruits and then layers of water (taking care not to mix the fruit juices).
Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries can garner conversation among family members while adding a bit of pizzazz to your staycation night!
Prepare something that reminds you of a favorite vacation destination
If you want to make the most of staying at home, why not prepare something that reminds you of a favorite vacation destination? It will give you much-needed vacation vibes right in your own home!
For example, if you usually take a tropical getaway for your vacations, try preparing a dish that evokes memories of lounging by the beach with mai tais and pina coladas. Or if you prefer city escapes from time to time, cook up some savory street food dishes from wherever it is you love exploring.
The best part about planning out meals based on favorite travel spots? You get to be creative with the recipes since there won’t be any language or cultural barriers preventing you from perfecting the recipes. Get creative and have fun!
Make a themed movie-night dinner
It’s easy to transform a typical movie night into an incredibly fun and delicious dinner. Make a themed movie night dinner by picking a favorite film that your family loves, or even one that you have always wanted to watch.
Then make fun snack ideas inspired by the movie and serve it during the screening. You could make popcorn using flavoring inspired by the movie like pumpkin spice popcorn for a Halloween scary movie night or fruit flavors for a summer time rom-com!
Don’t forget to also create dishes or snacks directly inspired by the characters in the film. Making creative food choices for your themed dinner will make it more exciting and enjoyable for everyone.
Finally, curate a playlist of songs from the soundtrack of your chosen movie to play in the background as you all enjoy your evening together!
Bottom Line
Staying at home doesn’t have to be boring! A staycation can be a great way to relax and spend some quality time with your family.
Take the opportunity to explore new activities, get some fresh air, and appreciate everything that’s right in front of you.
With this list in hand, there are countless ways to make the most out of your staycation and find something fun for everyone to try.
