After the stress of working all year, we all deserve a relaxing summer vacation. However, with a struggling economy and mounting bills, we may not always be able to afford the luxury. A frugal alternative to costly hotel stays, fancy dinners and travel expenses is the increasingly popular
staycation. A staycation is a day of fun that you spend locally--or even within your own home! If you don't have the means or the time to plan your dream getaway this year, read on for some creative and affordable tips for an awesome staycation that you and your family will love.
Have a camp-out
Get in touch with nature and rough it in the woods! Many state parks have camping grounds that you can utilize for a minimal fee. Spend the weekend letting the great outdoors entertain you--take an invigorating hike, roast modest fare like hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire, then snuggle up in your sleeping bag and snooze under the stars. A weekend camping trip is the optimal cost-efficient plan to get away without really going away, especially for any lover of the outdoors.
If you don't live near any camping grounds or can't manage to take the time for a full-length trip, stage a camp-out right in your own backyard! Be sure to check with local ordinances first to make sure backyard fires are permitted before you begin trading scary stories and making s'mores.
Create an in-home spa
Instead of forking over hundreds of dollars just to relax, live in the lap of luxury by turning your home into your own personal spa. Start by turning off all of the electronics in your house--that means your laptop, television, and your mobile phone. Set the mood by playing some soft, relaxing music and lighting scented candles throughout your home. Begin your day by wrapping yourself in a fluffy terrycloth robe and enjoying a cup of coffee on your porch while leafing through a beauty magazine for some ideas. You can give yourself a manicure, apply a facial mask, and draw an aromatherapy bath. If you have daughters, they will surely enjoy this as much as you will.
If you want to splurge a little, you can book an appointment with a masseuse or a manicurist that does house appointments. This way, you can still enjoy some of the pampering without the full cost of spending a day at the spa.
Have a theme party
The summer is a great time to host a party. The weather is beautiful and conditions are perfect for the simplest and most affordable cuisine--barbecue. However, you don't have to settle for just any cookout--spice it up by giving it a fun theme. Give out flowered leis and serve tropical drinks for a luau, hang a piñata from a tree and dish out some guacamole for a Mexican-inspired fiesta, or get everyone in their bathing suits and set up a volleyball game for a beach-themed party.
Whatever your idea, get creative and crafty with decorations and keep food and drinks simple. You can even suggest a potluck and have guests each bring a little something to contribute to the spread.
Create a backyard water park
If you have children, this is a great activity to keep them busy until the sun goes down! Turn on the sprinklers, fill up some inflatable pools, set up the Slip n' Slide, and supply everyone with a water gun. Invite the neighborhood kids over to play and don't forget to slather everyone in sunscreen.
Set up a table for drinks and healthy snacks such as apple slices, baby carrots, and whole grain pretzels. At the end of the day, wrap the little ones in towels and order a couple of pizzas to enjoy in the backyard.
Organize a block party
Block parties are a great way to have fun as well as get to know all of your neighbors better. Since everyone contributes something to the event, it is cost-effective and easy to plan. Just send out a mass-email to your neighbors (or drop a note in their mailbox if you don't know their email address) asking what they would like to bring. Don't forget to supply your phone number so that they can easily contact you.
To avoid multiple guests offering to bring similar items, divide your neighbors into groups. Designate each group a separate category--such as food, drinks, and games for the kids. Now you can request that members of each group contribute something related to their category for a perfectly-planned block party. Keep the budget at a minimum so no one spends a fortune-- suggest simple fare such as hot dogs and burgers, chips and dip, and salads.
Tip: Be sure to check if your township requires a permit for the event before you begin the preparations.
Play tourist in your own city
While you may not be able to travel to new and exotic places for your vacation this year, that doesn't mean you can't explore unfamiliar terrain. Your own city (or the closest one if you are a suburbanite) is sure to be chock-full of places you have never visited. Take a day trip and check out the museums, parks, and other cultural sites. Your city website's section for tourist information is likely to suggest places with which you are already familiar--you might have to delve deeper to find more unique points of interest. Rather than planning dinner at a popular, high-profile restaurant, select a secluded little hole-in-the-wall that you have walked past a hundred times but never tried.
Treat the trip like an authentic vacation and take tons of pictures. Not only will you have a great time, but you will discover a slew of new places that you can easily come back and visit whenever you want!
Photo by: Marin (Freedigitalphotos.net)