5 Fun holiday staycations

Dec 19, 2011 8:00 AM by Lisa Steinke

Posted in Parenting / Family Fun / Family Activities

Celebrating Close
To Home

Who says the only way to have fun during your holiday vacation is to take an expensive trip to an exotic place? Sometimes the most fun can be had at home or close to it. If you're home bound this holiday, here are five ways to turn your holiday vacation into a fabulous staycation.

Staycation at hotel

Rent a hotel in your city

You don't have to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to feel like you've had a proper getaway for the holidays. Simply booking a hotel room even just a short distance from home can still be a great vacation. Whether it's just you, you and your spouse or the entire family, breaking your regular routine can be relaxing, restful and reinvigorating. The best part? You don't have to make your own bed!

See the local holiday sights

Put some hot cocoa in a thermos, wrap yourself in a festive scarf and head out for a day of seeing the local holiday sights in your town -- whether it's ice skating at an outdoor ice rink, taking a holiday light tour, visiting Santa Claus or all of the above. If you go to your city's official website, you are sure to find a variety of fun holiday activities to participate in this holiday season. By becoming a tourist in your own town, you can learn things about your area that you never knew before.

Have a seasonal spa day

Instead of a girls' night out, host a girls' day in -- mama needs a break, too! Transform your home into a spa for the day and invite the girls over for some homemade holiday pampering. While you enjoy manicures, pedicures and facials, you can serve a peppermint-inspired cocktail and temporarily take your minds off the last minute holiday shopping lists that loom.

How to create a DIY spa experience at home >>

Host a holiday-themed movie night

Pop some popcorn, make apple cider and have a holiday themed movie marathon with your family. Let each person in the family pick a movie to watch, get cozy in front of the fire and enjoy one Christmas movie after the next. It can be a great opportunity to share with your children the movies you enjoyed watching when you were a child. You may even have a family tradition in the making.

More movie night ideas >>

Party in the snow

Transform your backyard into a winter wonderland by hanging lights and getting some fun decorations for an outdoor themed holiday party. Invite your friends and family over to roast marshmallows, drink something warm and enjoy the holidays. Add even more fun by making costumes required (even a pair of antlers will do), have a gag gift exchange and or host a snowman building contest.

It might be your budget, it could be a lack of time or maybe you just don't feel like traveling. Whatever the reason for wanting to stay close to home, there's nothing wrong with a good, old-fashioned staycation during the holidays.