Spring break is here, but there's no flight out of town on the itinerary - maybe you're saving up for something else, or you're simply choosing to kick back in the comfort of your own home. No matter your reasons for choosing to live local this year, these spring break staycation ideas will ensure you make the most of your downtime at home.
Just because you're not flying doesn't mean your vacation stops feeling like an escape. It’s time to get into full vacation mode – relax, indulge, and recharge. Transform your home into a paradise for the senses. Get out and explore the local area and finally make time to do things you might not have time for. Make this a week of good food and upgraded wine. Go ahead and sleep, but be sure to create a schedule to make the most of your free time. The last thing you want to happen on the weekend is to feel like your time was wasted, stuck in your apartment, fretting about the vacation you could have taken. Whether you choose a staycation, these simple tips will help you plan your way into the new week and know what you want to get out of it.
1. Closing technology
Before you embark on a staycation, commit to spending some time away from technology. Of course, you can still keep your phone on so you can make plans with other staycationers and check text messages and emails regularly, but don't do anything else. That means no gaming, social media, online shopping, or endless browsing. Minimize your use of technology and you'll start to enjoy the ease of being at home without any responsibilities. Your downtime will feel more like a vacation than a super lazy Friday night. Even if everything you do this week is idle, you'll still feel more productive and accomplished by the end of it than if you were staring at a screen. (You're also less likely to experience FOMO if your friends post about their vacations.)
2. Transform your home
Dress yourself up nicely and put yourself in a good mood to enjoy familiar surroundings. Pick out a bouquet of fresh flowers to liven up the space, and buy or bake a few extra treats for those special occasions. Enhance the scent of your space by simmering spices or using a natural diffuser. Treat your apartment as your own private sanctuary, enjoy it as you wish, and prepare it in a way that transforms your experience from everyday life to vacation .
3. Make a travel playlist
Take a break from your usual mixes and playlists transport you to another place. Make choices outside of your normal range and venture into other places beyond your radar and geography. New music brings new energy to your apartment, and certain tracks can take you to different places. Add some Serge Gainsbourg to turn your studio kitchen into a Parisian café, listen to songs from south of the border that will keep you warm no matter the outside temperature, or blend in with the rhythms of New Orleans brass.
4. Make every meal delicious
Even if you're staying home, it's still a holiday and a time to treat yourself. Whether you order takeout or cook your own meal, make sure every meal has something special. Prepare lunch to look forward to and breakfast to wake up to.
5. Allow yourself more sleep, but make a schedule
Your vacation is all about relaxing, but make sure not to overdo it. Sure, forget the alarm and sleep in every morning, but once you wake up, make the most of your days off. If you create some plans and daily goals, you'll be less likely to get bored or start wasting time. Scheduling your time will make downtime more enjoyable—even if it's for something like a "move from Monopoly to Scrabble" or an "ice cream sundae break."
6. Read quickly
Finally, tackle that mountain of magazine subscriptions and journals, or books you’ve been reading for the past few months. You'll never have downtime like you would on a staycation, so use the open time to work on things you don't have the time or energy for.
7. Launch a board game
When you're on vacation at home, game night can turn into game day. Bring out your favorite items and bring out your inner child. There’s no limit to when game action can take place during your staycation. Play Monopoly first thing in the morning and then Scrabble with your afternoon snack.
8. Get artsy
Use the extra time to get creative. Grab some art supplies and let your artistic talents shine. No one will judge your efforts from the comfort of your own home. Make the experience exactly how you want it - you can control the music and even pour some wine - like your own private BYOB painting class.
9. Enjoy a spa treatment
Get into complete relaxation mode with an at-home spa experience. Light some scented candles, chop some cucumbers, and whip out that clay mask. There's no better time to rejuvenate than a staycation where you can relax and have no pending plans.
10. Go treasure hunting
A stay-at-home vacation doesn't mean you have to stay at home during that time (although there's nothing wrong with that, either). Get outside and explore your surroundings in new and original ways. A great way to do this is through geocaching. Grab a GPS device and get going.
11. Explore the Botanic Gardens
Take a relaxing stroll to a local botanical garden. It feels like a mini-vacation wandering among exotic plants, a low-commitment way to get into “nature” without traveling too far from home.
12. Visit a local brewery or winery
Whether you consider yourself an amateur beer connoisseur, a sommelier in training, or just looking for a fulfilling daytime activity that might include drinking, head to a local brewery or winery. Plan your visit during one of their tours to maximize your experience and enjoy free tastings.
13. Attend a concert or local theater
See what's happening in the area during your staycation. Keep an open mind and think about venues you've never been to before, research some local theater or comedy shows you haven't paid attention to. Then spend a late night without worrying about making it to work the next day.
14. Drink like a tourist
No matter where you live, you probably have your usual go-to spots when you go out for a night out or have a drink. Switch it up during your staycation and explore venues you might not have tried otherwise. Do some research or even pick up a travel guide to see what attractions are recommended to tourists. You might just find your new favorite hangout, or at the very least, you'll get out of your comfort zone and explore your city with new eyes.
15. Make your own drinks at home
On a typical weekend or work week night, drinking at home usually means a beer or a glass of wine. Use the extra time on your staycation to take your drinks to the next level by trying your hand at whipping up some cocktails.
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