With gas prices at an all-time high and everything in general being more expensive right now, many families will be staying close to home this summer. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your “summer vacation”. Just turn it into a fabulous staycation! There is a plethora of benefits to a staycation. Not only will you save money on travel and accommodation expenses, but you will have the comfort of your own bed at night…and BONUS…no packing! And with your savings, you can spend more money on activities. Just set a budget for your staycation including the costs for groceries, entertainment and activities and you are on your way to a fun family adventure that won’t break the bank!

Check out these ideas for planning the perfect staycation:

  • PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME

If you are taking time off work to spend a week together as a family, don’t wait until that time starts to think of what you want to do. Get any chores done before your staycation starts so that you don’t have to worry about them during our time off. Create an itinerary for your time together. It doesn’t have to be written in stone…you can always change things up if you want to. What you want to avoid is wasting time each day trying to figure out what everyone wants to do.

  • HAVE A VACATION MIND SET

Yes…you are home. But YOU ARE ON VACATION. That will mean different things for different people. Some might want vacations where they are up and at ‘em first thing every morning and going on one adventure after another. Other people might think a true vacation is sleeping in every morning and not having to wake to an alarm. Whatever the case may be…be sure to make your vacation time different from a normal week at home.

  • VISIT OTHER COUNTRIES…VIRTUALLY

Choose a country you would like to visit and revolve your day around it. Watch a show about the place you would like to visit, play music from that country, and cook traditional meals from there. If there are restaurants in your area that serve foods from the country you choose, check them out!

  • GO BACKYARD CAMPING

Set up a tent in your backyard (weather permitting) and camp out at home. Do all the things you might do if you went camping somewhere else. Go on a nature hike, have a campfire and make s’mores, play outdoor games and sleep overnight in the tent!

  • HOLD A THEMED MOVIE NIGHT

Whether there is a new movie you all want to see, or if there is an old movie you all love and want to revisit, make it more fun by having a themed movie night. Create snacks, décor and costumes that go along with the theme of the film. Or take it a step further and hold a “Hollywood” premier. Dress up in your finest and walk the red carpet with “paparazzi” snapping photos. Turn your kitchen counter into a movie theater snack bar with popcorn, candy and drinks. Cue up the movie and enjoy a spectacular event at home!

  • HAVE A FAMILY GAME NIGHT

Choose some board games that will be fun for the whole family. Try several different games and have a little tournament to determine the “grand champion”.

  • EAT OUT OR ORDER IN

Use some of the money you saved by not traveling to eat out or order food in for the entire staycation! Who wants to cook and clean while on vacation? Have easy options for breakfast and lunch and then choose a restaurant for dinner each night. Take this time to try some new places you haven’t been to before just to spice things up a bit. Also…enjoy treats that you might not normally have during a regular week. You’re on vacation!

  • GO FOR A FAMILY HIKE OR BIKE RIDE

If it’s nice outside, gather the family and find a local trail where you can go biking or hiking (or both). Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy nature without having to venture far from home.

  • CHECK OUT “THINGS TO DO” IN YOUR HOMETOWN

Often, when you live somewhere, you don’t take advantage of all the tourist opportunities there are there. If you’re planning a staycation, it’s a good time to check out what your local area has to offer. You might be surprised to find all the things there are to do close to home. Go online and search “things to do in Montgomery” and see what you find. You might even discover special events that are happening the week of your staycation.

  • SPEND ONE NIGHT AT A LOCAL HOTEL WITH A POOL

If you don’t have your own pool, this will be a real treat for you and your kids! Splurge for early check-in and late check-out so you can spend as much time as possible having family fun at the pool!

  • HAVE A LAZY DAY

Save this one for the end of the week. After you have been on the go for several days, a lazy day might be just what you need to relax and rejuvenate before you go back to “normal” life. Sleep in, stay in your pajamas, read, watch tv, and definitely order food to be delivered. Just kick back and enjoy!

Your family may be disappointed that you aren’t going AWAY on a vacation this year, but with a well-planned staycation, there is a lot of fun and adventure to be had!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

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