Blog
« Evolution - changing the status quo
a new year’s resolution »
Summer has arrived!!
We are getting our first real glimpse of summer here on the west coast and it is delightful — for those of you headed off on grand adventures for your holidays this year, have a great vacation. For those of us sticking around the area I am re-posting an article written by the Marketeer last year about enjoying your ’stay-cation’…
The “Staycation” - Another word for the vocabulary
According to Wikipedia a staycation is defined as:
”a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current hard economic times in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high.”
So how do you go about planning a staycation? Well after doing some research I found that there are “Staycation Rules” that have been devised to help you get the most out of your staycation.
- Set the Time and Date - Every vacation has a start date and an end date, so should your staycation. Not doing this can make your staycation feel like any other night spent at home.
- Make it clear that although you’re staying in town you’re still away - One downside to a staycation is that because you are staying close to home the urge to pop in to the office, or check your work email can be pretty strong. However; a staycation, just like a vacation, is just for you and your family so turn off all outside distractions and make it clear to your work, relatives and friends that you are unavailable.
- Make plans - Treat your staycation like you would a regular vacation, make plans and stick to them. When staying at home its easy to fall into sloth mode leaving you and your family feeling like they “did nothing” on their holiday.
- Buy a guidebook - The area you live in probably has plenty to offer its tourists, why not find out what those things are and become a tourist in your own town. You may just find a local hotspot you never knew about or a great attraction just off the beaten track.
- Take pictures - Make a permanent record of your staycation just as you would a regular vacation. Snap pictures of the different sites you hit, or restaurants you ate at and create fun memories for the whole family.
- Tackle that Book you’ve been meaning to read - There’s no better symbol of relaxation that a finished book. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, settle yourself in a lounger outside and immerse yourself in another world.
- Become a member at your local museum - Many museum memberships provide you with free entry to a myriad of other attractions in the city as well as give you insider tips to special events, exhibits and lectures happening at the museum.
- Take a local on & off bus tour - these inexpensive bus tours (often called “Hop-on, Hop-off Tours”) let you tour around to see many attractions at your own pace and may show you areas of your city you didn’t know about before.
However, the most important rule for your staycation is to make sure that you relax and have a good time. You and your family can have fun and create great memories even when the times are tough.
