How to Take a Money-saving Eco-friendly Staycation (stay-at-home Vacation)
Posted on | January 24, 2010 | 9 Comments
Here is a vacation idea that won’t break the bank. It will give your family many fond memories and that well-deserved rest AND will keep you eco-friendly (get more tips and join the movement on being eco-friendly at www.ecofriendlymovement.com). ESPECIALLY IN THESE TIMES OF HIGH GAS PRICE TIMES…
Take a “Staycation”
You say “What in the world is a Staycation?” Well, very simply it is a vacation where you stay home, you do all the fun things that you don’t have time to
do while you are working or going to school, AND you’ll have fun doing it right in your home or in your local area. Staycations are very eco-friendly because you are limiting your use of precious fuel by not traveling to a destination; your home is your destination. You will also see Eco-tips mentioned throughout this article.
Okay, are you ready to have fun! Here are the steps you need to take:
As with any “traditional” vacation, you need to plan and make some decisions before you “embark” on your trip. REMEMBER—The planning and anticipation of the trip is part of the fun.
PLANNING AND PREPARATION PHASE:
Coordinate calendars
1. Decide when you will all be available
2. Who you will invite (other than immediate family); don’t forget to ask Grandma, Grandpa or that favorite aunt to join you on your Staycation. Be sure to mention that this is a staycation and fun times only…no worries or problems discussed.
3. How long will your “trip” last?
4. Choose a trip coordinator to be responsible for ascertaining from the family what activities/ideas they would most like to see happen during the staycation and this person is responsible for setting the daily planned activities (see below). TIP: In our family Mom or Grandma is the coordinator.
Planned activities for each staycation day
5. Delve into interests of each staycation member and form activities around that interest…take turns with each member…this will also get everyone thinking about each other and sharing each others interests.
6. Play tourist and go to your Chamber of Commerce or Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pick up brochures, maps, or anything that will get you thinking about “short trips” in your area. You will be surprised at the places you didn’t know about, right in your own back yard. Don’t forget to go on-line and learn about your town, city, or state and see what you can see (It doesn’t hurt to slip in a few educational items; along with the fun…nobody will know the difference if you do it correctly).
7. Produce a planned activities calendar and post it in your staycation home (see below for Planned Activities Ideas). This will let every staycation member know what’s going to happen during the staycation. Remember no stress…if someone wants to suggest changes or has some other fun things to add to the schedule…that’s what you want to see…PARTICIPATION!
8. Plan downtime in the activities calendar. This is time when everyone can do their own thing; like hide it their rooms, go on-line, nap, or just plain do nothing. Every vacation needs a certain amount of downtime. TIP: Remember to schedule this time, but if someone is not feeling well, don’t stress just let them have a bit more time. They will come around when they feel they are missing out on some laughs. Also remember it is like a vacation, so get up late and stay up late.
9. Planned Activities are fun to create specifically geared toward your staycation members. Here are some ideas that have been successful:
a. Visit museums, aquariums, historical sites, or any places of interest in your area. Most of these places are free, fun, and educational. Don’t forget even libraries can be fun places to visit. No matter how small your town is you can ALWAYS find something to see that is interesting.
b. Visit any national parks, state parks, town parks or even school ball fields. Getting outside is the best way to have fun and be healthy at the same time. It’s a great place to have a picnic, play ball, swim, hike, walk, and fish or just plain read a book under a tree. Eco-tip: Remember to not pollute; whatever you take with you, bring home with you and dispose of probably.
c. Visit your own backyard. You can have a bunch of fun right in your own backyard. Have a cook-out, invite people over (remember to have every member of the staycation invite a friend), cook ‘smores, tell ghost stories, do star-gazing astronomy, arrange a scavenger hunt, run a drive-in (outdoor) movie (you can put blankets on the grass, bring your biggest TV/DVD outdoors, rent a family-friendly movie or pay-per-view event, serve popcorn and let the fun begin.
d. Plant a tree in your yard, have a dedication ceremony, invite the neighborhood (maybe they’ll get the idea and will want help the environment by planting their own tree). This is a big Eco-Tip!
e. Hold game night, every night. You can play cards, board games, build jigsaw puzzles, charades, interactive electronic games, movie night, scavenger hunts or you could go to a local arcade or movie theatre. This is one that you try to get everyone to participate in, the more the merrier. TIP: Some families do this kind of activity at least once a week; even when it isn’t a staycation.
f. Run a Talent Night, if your family is so inclined to be performers or possess any special talents. This is a great way to have a lot of laughs (Remember to laugh with someone not at someone, haha!).
g. Join an organization as a family and donate your time and effort to helping the “cause”. With this staycation article you are already well on your way to becoming environmentally eco-friendly so why not join the eco-friendly movement as a family by going to www.ecofriendlymovement.com you can join and learn all the ways your family can begin to SAVE THE PLANET. Another Big Eco-tip!
h. Get out the old family photos and remember the good times. Tell stories about people, events, remember people you have lost, remember the “good times”, somebody draw a big tree and start your family tree. Also remember to take plenty of candid and planned digital pictures of your current staycation. You are, after all making new memories.
You could also take this opportunity to do some scrapbooking, depending on the interest level from the staycation members; this could be a lot of fun. Some staycationers have even gone to cemeteries to trace genealogies, AND they had fun doing it.
Eco-tip: Remember save paper and take digital photos and create computer generated photo albums.
i. Do a Spa Day for the girls (or anyone who wants to join in).
You could go to a local spa or plan spa treatments for at home; like manicures, pedicures, or back rubs. Eco-tip: Remember you can make all natural organic products (see the free bonus books on the webpage www.ecofriendlymovement.com)
j. Do a Sports Day for the boys (or anyone who wants to join in). The boys could go to a driving range, batting cage, rent a sports DVD, etc.
k. Do some Arts & Crafts finish those projects you have had forever or just start new projects with the entire family. Even if you are not crafty try painting or even coloring, its fun.
Eco-tip: Use items you already have around the house…reuse items for crafts.
l. Take a walk, run, or jog family-style. Have an “adventure”, depending on the age of your children it is great fun to make-pretend on your adventure. Eco-tip: While you are walking pick up trash along the street!
10. Theme Staycations are loads of fun. You can plan for the entire length of your vacation as a theme or just a Theme Day. Here are some theme staycations that could fit into your plans:
Outdoor Adventure-Try this one whether your family has camped outside or not. It involves sleeping, cooking, and eating outside. This activity is great fun for all ages.
Tropical Island-You don’t even need to be near the beach. Dress in island wear; shorts, flowered Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops, drink tropical concoctions, and lay around reading books. Remember to make the food island appropriate-usually grilled.
Sports Theme-This can be themed with your local team colors, your favorite NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, or whatever sport. You can dress for your team, decorate for your team, and have a tailgate party (even in your driveway). TIP: If you are into NASCAR, you can have matchbox races.
Food preparation menu
Develop meal and snack menus for each day of the vacation.
(Remember no dieting, splurge on foods that make your family happy, comfort foods are great). When it comes time to prepare the foods, it’s Mom’s vacation too, so all pitch-in to help, take turns cooking, and most of all prepare easy clean-up meals. Don’t forget grilling, grilling, grilling is fun and easy clean-up.
Make reservations at local restaurants. This is your chance to try out that local place down the street that you go by everyday and “just haven’t had time to stop to try out”. You can also do take out meals, anything that is fun and makes it an easy part of the staycation.
Make grocery list and food shop in advance of staycation. Except for some pick-up items like milk or bread, have all the food purchased well ahead of the start of your Staycation. Eco-tip: Bring reusable grocery shopping bags.
STAYCATION DATE ARRIVES:
#1 Have FUN, FUN, & MORE FUN with the family, tell jokes, laugh a lot, and be silly.
#2 Play music all day and create a fun atmosphere.
#3 Follow the planned activities calendar as closely as possible (but do no
stress over it).
#4 Take loads of digital pictures-candid and staged.
#5 Eat too much food and diet after the vacation.
#6 Send postcards, letter, or emails to friends telling them about how much fun you are having on your staycation (you may inspire them to go on Staycation). Always use recycled paper.
#7 Remember both during this Staycation and in your daily life to reuse, recycle, reduce, and to limit your footprint on the planet. Visit www.ecofriendlymovement.com so you can begin your eco-friendly quest like so many other families have done.
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Tags: Eco Friendly > Go Green > Recycle > Reduce > Reusable > Staycation > vacation
Comments
9 Responses to “How to Take a Money-saving Eco-friendly Staycation (stay-at-home Vacation)”
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January 24th, 2010 @ 10:12 am
My brother & I took a vacation, or more like a trip. Here is our story:
The wildwood flower grew wild on the farm
And we never knowed what it was called
Some said it was a flower and some said it was weed
I didn't gave it much thought…
One day I was out there talking to my brother
Reached down for a weed to chew on
Things got fuzzy and things got blurry
And then everything was gone
I Didn't know what happened
But I knew it beat the hell out of sniffin' burlap
I come to and my brother was there
And he said, 'What's wrong with your eyes?'
I said, 'I don't know, I was chewing on a weed'
He said, 'Let me give it a try'
We spent the rest of that day and most of that night
Trying to find my brother, Bill
Caught up with him 'bout six o'clock the next mornin'
Naked, swinging on the windmill
He said he flew up there
I had to fly up and get him down
He was about half crazy
The very next day we picked a bunch of them weeds
And put 'em in the sun to dry
Then we mashed 'em up and we cleaned 'em all
And put 'em in the corncob pipe
Smokin' them wildwood flowers got to be a habit
We didn't see no harm
We thought it was kind of handy
Have you ever take a trip and never leave the farm
A big ol' puff on the wildwood weed
Next thing you know
We's just wandering behind the little animals
All good things gotta come to an end
And it's the same with the wildwood weed
One day this feller from Washington come by
And he spied us and he turned white as a sheet
And he dug and he burned
And he burned and he dug
And he killed all our cute little weeds
Then he drove away
We just smiled and waved
Sittin' there on that sack of seeds
Y'all come back now, ya hear
January 24th, 2010 @ 11:04 am
The only all inclusive trips I have taken have been cruises which I liked because I just unpacked once, settled in, then could choose if/when I wanted to go on shore excursions, or explore all the wonderful activities offered aboard the ship.
As the other answerer said – drinks, massages, beauty salon, etc. on board were NOT included, but there was a lot that was. It all depends on what you like to do & what your tastes are.
Best thing would be for you & your wife to do what he did – type in all inclusive vacations in your browser search line & review what comes up, then keep adding a keyword until you narrow it down to just those that fit the activities, locations, etc. that both of you like.
Good luck!!
January 24th, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
January 25th, 2010 @ 12:33 pm
It must be a slow day in the J.J. household today. But to answer another of your fabulously funny questions, I will give it my best shot. Go out in the garage, climb up into the attic and get out all the seldom used camping equipment. Then, after you have removed all the camping stuff, take into the living room and set up the tent with your sleeping bags, etc. You may have to go outside to find enough rocks to build your fire pit, but place it near the tent so you will not get cold during the night. Go to your local convenience store and pick up enough wood to last through the night. Then return home, turn your air conditioner down to 60 degrees. When your husband comes home, you can have a nice roaring fire going, with a cup of hot chocolate and only wearing a smile. It will be the best at home vacation ever. Good luck with that.
January 25th, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
book supplier direct to avoid cancel or non refundable fares.
dig up association member cards, like AAA or AARP, you can get 10-15% off the weekly rate, (weekly rates are 5x the daily)
check with the company you work for, they may have a coporate agreement in place that may be available- many of these agreements waive airport fees and taxes, add'l driver and underage driver fees- real expensive fees here.
Also return the car to same location to avoid drop off charges and lastly, reserve a Compact car, most people are looking for smaller cars now with the most fuel efficiency. So reserve a smaller car and most likly they will upgrade you for free at counter.. if you wanbt a larger car, reserve in advance as paying for an upgrade at counter is usually much higher. oh, yeah, bring a copy of insurance card with you as well..
January 25th, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
You need to get a Japan Rail Pass which gives you unlimited travel for the time you opt to purchase for………1 week, or 2 or 3 weeks .If you are just going to be on Honshu Island you can actually get a pass that is a bit cheaper just for that island.You could also look at the JAL flight passes but you miss the scenery if you fly.You must buy this Pass in YOUR country…………..you cannot buy them in Japan and you will save yourself a huge amount of money.
Look around Tokyo ………and do take a day trip to Kamakura…….go to the Tsukiji Fish Market on the way.
If you plan to go to Kyoto which is gorgeous you can mostly walk if you choose accommodation in a good location. There are maps with walking routes you get at the station.You won't get top see it all just do one section – we opted for the area near Murayama Park.There are so many shrines, temples gardens etc near here.
Catch the bus to Fuji go ko – Fuji Five Lakes…it is only an hour and a half and just beautiful …….at the base of Mt Fuji. Then take the bus to Gotemba which is a beautiful trip round the base of Mt Fuji through old traditional villages with thatched cottages etc.Change to a bus for Mishima – just catch the bus behind they call it Station 2 to Station 3.but was quite literally just the bus behind the one we got off. This bus takes you right to the Shinkansen which you can catch through to Kyoto.
If you go to Osaka, you should try and go further on to Himeji and see the castle …………probably the best in Japan and the Shrine and then on to Osaka. You could go on a little further to Okayama which has one of japan's best gardens but from Okayama you can take an ordinary train to Kurashiki – only 30 minutes ……..which is a really beautiful Edo period town.
You can look at these places at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/japanese-holidays.html
January 26th, 2010 @ 12:07 am
at grand teton national park go hiking up to lake solitude, its 15 miles round trip but 100% worth it. In yellowstone I would recommend spending time just driving around looking at the wildlife, maybe hike to the top of Mount Washburn (only like 6 miles) oh and go to Bubba's Barbeque in jackson hole!!!!!
January 26th, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
you seem underweight. If you are going on vacation, the best advice i can give you is to HAVE FUN and eat the best and tastiest foods while you are at it. With an active lifestyle, your not going to add or lose too much weight.
January 27th, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
This website might help , check it out –
http://www.usairwaysforum.com/