Ideas for a Staycation This Winter

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To get ready for Christmas, I’ve decided to do 12 blog posts every day leading up to Christmas.  Here they are!  Check back each day for a new post or go HERE to see what’s been posted already.

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While we’re living in Japan we take “staycations” all the time.  We love going to visit all corners of the country but because of time restraints or because, well, Japan is expensive, we don’t always get to take long weekends away.  But, we do want to experience as much of Japan as possible.  One good thing, is we’re right outside of Tokyo so virtually anything we want to do is a (crowded) train ride away.  We try to make it a point to try something or visit somewhere new every weekend.

Even if you’ve been living at your current location for a while, I guarantee you haven’t done everything there is to do in your location.  So just bear with us and we might change your mind about staycations in the future.

Benefits of the Staycation

Staying at home may sound a bit boring, especially when it’s freezing outside. But keep these benefits in mind:

• You save a ton of money when you stay at home. Just think about how much it costs to travel: plane tickets, car rentals, hotels, eating out, activities. Especially for a family, that adds up.
• Staying at home gives you the chance to learn about your local area. You might be surprised at how much there is to do in your city, town or region.
• Staying at home can, in fact, be more relaxing and restorative than traveling. You don’t have to deal with packing, crowded airports (and the headache of cancellations if there’s a storm), navigating an unfamiliar place, or keeping the kids entertained. You also don’t need to worry about dealing with cold or flu remedies and treatment while traveling. While I’m all about heading out, showing the kids new places, and getting them started early, sometimes it’s just too much.  If you’re a parent you know traveling with your kids is not relaxing unless you are lucky enough to have a nanny or a big family traveling with you.
• Staycations keep the money you spend local, helping benefit the people in your own community.

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Tips for a Staycation

So if you’re anything like me, staying home kind of means just taking care of things at home.  So I’ve put together some tips you need to live by when having a staycation.

• Only do the minimum chores. Now I’m not saying don’t do laundry or the dishes.  You can’t just create a giant pile of either that you’ll have to deal with later. But, don’t try to tackle that big cleaning project you’ve been putting off like shampooing the carpets.  Just tidy up after yourselves.  After all, this is a vacation.  Take the time to relax.
• Don’t work. So I work from home. So when I take a staycation at home, it’s tempting to use the time while my husband is home to get caught up or get ahead on work.  But that’s not the point of a staycation!  Just put the computer away.
• Get out of the house. So I said to relax.  And I said to stay home.  But that doesn’t mean you are confined to your house.  Get out.  See things. Do what you might on another vacation. But have the comfort of coming back to your home bed, with the kids in their own beds.

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15 Winter Staycation Ideas

1. Explore your local state or national parks. If you live in a snowy area, then try cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing. Here in Japan we take the train to the mountains, only about 30-minute ride away to get some nature.
2. Visit local museums or historical societies. Being just outside of Tokyo we have SO MANY museums right at our fingertips. But even if you’re not near a huge city you can find museums or historical societies to learn about your local area.
3. Try new recipes. You can make gourmet coffee recipes at home for leisurely breakfasts, make some gourmet meals, or try a new dish. You can even save money by picking up some frugal gourmet food and cooking ingredients.
4. Go ice skating.
5. Stock up on some books from your local library you’ve been wanting to read (a good way to save money on books and magazines).
6. Splurge on a visit to a local spa for a massage, or a day lounging in the hot tubs and saunas. If you live close to a nice hotel or casino, keep in mind that these places often have lush indoor pools and spas for their guests. You can often buy a day pass for under $50.
7. Do a craft project you’ve been thinking about trying. I’m not exactly a crafty person but I enjoy creating things. And, there’s no time like a staycation to learn a new skill.
8. Plant an indoor windowsill herb garden. This can also help you save money all winter!
9. Throw a winter party with your friends. Mulled wine, fondue, and games will warm you up.
10. Go to a local sporting event. Basketball and hockey season are both during the winter months.
11. Find some indoor fun like bowling or miniature golf.
12. Go to your local botanical garden. Most cities and many universities will have a conservatory or greenhouse you can visit. Inside the air is hot, tropical and filled with lush plants and flowers. This is one of my favorite wintertime activities!
13. Try a new restaurant you’ve had your eye on. Use deals sites like Groupon and Living Social for ideas.
14. Tackle fun DIY projects or life skills like home canning. There are plenty of recipes that use dried or winter fruits such as citrus.

Will you be taking a winter staycation this year?

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