(by 12 people)
With work, kids, activities, the weather, and the cost of gas, you can't always go out of town for a long vacation. Don't fret, I just gave you five good reasons to take a vacation without leaving home!
That's right, in the comfort of your own home, you can go on vacation for a day, a week, or even just a few hours if that's all you can do. Learn how to plan for your at-home vacation to make sure it truly is an enjoyable vacation, and not just another weekend stuck at home.
Why Vacation at Home?
- You're poor. Broke! No money! Payday is too far away! Vacationing at home saves you a lot of dough. There's no hotel to pay for, no expensive restaurants to eat at, and no gas guzzling vehicles to feed.
- Not enough time. Sometimes you need a day or two to recharge your batteries and it isn't enough time to plan a trip away from home.
- Poor weather. In the winter, especially in Wisconsin, driving can be stressful and downright dangerous. When the weather outside is frightful, cozy up with some hot cocoa and a good book in the comfort of your own bathrobe. Hire someone else to shovel the driveway.
- You're ill. It doesn't take a critical illness to bog you down. Perhaps you are too sick or too uncomfortable to travel, or perhaps you're sick BECAUSE you need a vacation. A quick rest at home will do you wonders.
- No babysitter or petsitter. Ah, kids and pets. They're joyful but still need to be taken care of when you skip town. Save the expense and hassle of a babysitter or kennel, and spend the weekend enjoying their company instead.
- A "real" vacation would be too far away. In rural Wisconsin you have to go pretty far to get to anywhere that could be considered a "real" vacation. Staying home saves hours of driving and flying time.
- No wheels! Uh oh, the car is in the shop. Guess you're not going anywhere. No problem. You can find plenty to do within walking distance.
What will you do on vacation?
If you and your significant other were alone (babysitter for the kids?) what would you do?
- What don't you normally make time for? Vacations at home are the perfect time to catch up on those great craft projects that you enjoy but don't normally make time for, such as painting, scrapbooking, woodworking, or sewing. Make sure it's not work-related crafting!
- What would you like to read? Reading has fallen on the list of hobbies and past-times, and it's time to bring it back. Catch up on your reading by finding some great new books.
- What would you like to watch? A weekend of DVD rentals can make for an awesome mini-vacation. Find out what's available at your local video store.
- What would you like to eat? Vacations at home are a time for comfort, and that includes comfort food. Shall you order pizza delivery from that favorite homemade restaurant? Get a supply of sliced strawberries and champagne? Don't forget the ice cream!
- How long will your vacation last? When will it officially start and end? Do you need to take off work, call the babysitter, or let anyone else know about it?
Clean house
A day or two before you officially go on vacation, clean the rooms you're going to be spending time in. Shine the tub, get out the fluffy sheets, stash the clutter, and decorate the family room fireplace mantel.
If you wish, use paper plates and plastic silverware so you won't have to do dishes. But, it is even more fun to use the GOOD china.
A vacation will be much more enjoyable when you're not worried about laundry and dishes!
For an extra vacation bonus, hire a cleaning service. Check your local paper, ask around, or visit Merry Maids to find out about a service near you.
Rules of Vacationing at Home
- Turn off the phone. All of them. Cell phone too.
- No email or computer work! You can do it. It's just a few days.
- No laundry or dishes. If you're taking an extended vacation at home, you might need to do dishes. If it's three days or less, rinse them and then go back to enjoying yourself.
- Commit to your timeline. Sometimes vacations are so nice you don't want them to end! But don't get in the habit of dragging out your timelines. You need to work so you can get time off for the next vacation!
- Don't cancel on yourself. If you're going to take a vacation at home, do it. Cancelling isn't fair to your kids or significant other, and it's not fair to yourself. Pamper yourself and enjoy!
Music to Vacation By
Echoes of Nature: Thunderstorm
Sometimes it's fun when it rains on vacation.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Glenn Miller - Greatest Hits
Fun and funky hits to enjoy while hanging out.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Vacationers Have to Eat
- Fun breakfast foods - unless you have someone to cook for you, you'll either have to cook your own breakfast, run out to pick it up, or keep some great breakfast goodies on hand. Cereals are a good standby, or get berries, croissants, muffins, sliced fruits, and juices.
- Order in - have ordering menus and phone numbers available for local restaurants, and plan your meals ahead of time so you don't get too hungry waiting. Make sure you have plenty of cash on hand for delivery drivers, too.
- Frozen dinners - frozen meals aren't as bad as they used to be, in fact many are quite tasty! They come with a variety of entrees, including ethnic dishes, vegetables, and dessert.
- Dessert! - don't forget dessert! Wrapped snacks, fruit, yogurt, muffins and cupcakes, cookies, strudel, smores, or even a chocolate fondue. Tasty!
Vacation Movies
The Shawshank Redemption (Two-Disc Special Edition)
A drama with a great twist ending.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Wild Wild West
Fun comedy with a bit of science fiction mixed in.
Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
An all around fun movie that spans four decades.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Emperor's New Groove - The New Groove Edition
The most hilarious animated film I have ever seen.
Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Games for the Entire Family
Toysmith Super Surge Blaster
Start a war in the backyard. Get one for everyone!
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Fall Reading List
The Devil Wears Prada: A Novel
A young woman gets a job at a fashion magazine, and a difficult boss.
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
A doctor's decision to secretly send his newborn daughter, who has Down syndrome, to an institution haunts everyone involved.
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 10/12/2008)
Marker
A pair of New York City medical examiners investigate a series of hospital deaths following routine surgery.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
The Lincoln Lawyer
A criminal defense attorney takes a case that proves more dangerous than he expected.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Kite Runner
An Afghan-American returns to Kabul to learn how a friend has fared under the Taliban.
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 10/12/2008)
Have you ever taken a vacation at home?
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