From a financial reason to many other concerns, there comes a time when dream vacations just aren’t within reach. While the thought of another stay-at-home vacation might be mind-numbing, a fun escape is always a blink of imagination away.
For those who find themselves at home alone with their partner for a few days, peaceful silence easily becomes boring, if not mind-numbing. Read below for a few do-it-yourself remedies for the unexpected staycation.
Spa Day
A spa day can be hard to come by, and sometimes impossible to pay for. However, harkening back to those dorm-room slumber party days isn’t difficult—nor does it have to be hyper-feminine.
As it turns out, an at-home spa day relies on the pantry more than anything else. Adding a slice of cucumber over the eyes is a classic staple designed to reduce puffiness of the eyes, but it also transforms a glass of water into a refreshing treat.
Coconut oil can soak in the hair as a conditioner, and it can also be used to wrap up feet for the ultimate foot soak. Did we mention that honey, lemon, and brown sugar make an excellent (and tasty) body scrub? No need to break the bank here.
Casino Night
A DYI casino night provides a touch of class and mental stimulus that adds extra flash to any staycation. While a living room isn’t quite the same as, say, the Casino de Monte Carlo, there’s no reason to skip out on a fancy getup.
After all, a staycation requires a bit of imagination and willingness. And, given that gaming involves some of the world’s most unusual superstitions, there’s more to do than slip on a fancy dress and get those James Bond-themed drinks ready.
Art Class
Much like a casino night, undertaking a DIY art class may sound like a lot of work. While the spa day is designed to relax and the casino night to engage the mind, the art class is about tending to the creative spirit in all of us.
In fact, it’s not about setting ourselves up for success. Quite the opposite! Collages are a great way to get the abstract mind moving and can even be meditative. But for those who don’t have a spare stack of disposable Vogues lying around, there’s always the tried-and-true pencil to paper pursuits.
Sites like YouTube are full of tutorials that explain how to draw famous characters or even a beloved pet. What’s most important here is that the creative mind is engaged—not a sense of perfectionism. The worse the final piece, the funnier it is to display afterward.
Cinema
Depending on what degree of a cinefile you’re sharing your staycation with, an austere look at film is often a welcome change of pace. After all, a local trip to the theatre often involves noisy action hero movies with overdone CGI.
For those who don’t care to keep up with the latest Oscar-winning films, there’s another way to engage with this staycation idea and it’s in keeping with the rest of the list: laugh a little! For those who can’t stomach two hours of Citizen Kane, take a crack at watching thirty minutes and find an online checklist for ridiculous or iconic sayings.
Some versions of this game call for the watchers to drink anytime a certain line is spoken or deed is done, but there are plenty of variations on this, including running around the couch instead.
‘Nailed It’
This section is a culinary reiteration of the DIY art class above. This means that it isn’t about cooking or baking well—it’s about trying your hardest and having a sense of humor about the end result.
The Netflix show Nailed It! Features hapless bakers from all across North America who compete to see which of the three unprofessional bakers manage to bake something comparable to what the host chef whips up every week. None of the final cakes look good. Nobody wants to eat them, or even take a photo of them. However, the cast and guests on the show have a riotous time in the process.