How To Plan The Perfect Stay-Cation This Summer

Vacations aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be. From spending hours planning and making reservations to long drives or plane rides, all too often we come home from our holidays exhausted.

If you want a vacation this year that focuses 100% on relaxation, then a stay-cation may be the answer.

This popular new trend means ditching traditional travel plans in favor of staying home and investing your money instead into your property.

There are many ways you can invest in your enjoyment of your home. Here are some of the best ways to guarantee an amazing stay-cation this year.

How to Plan a Staycation

Planning a staycation can be a fantastic way to enjoy a break without the stress and expense of traveling. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your staycation:

1. Define Your Staycation Goals

Relaxation

Focus on unwinding and de-stressing with activities like reading, napping, or spa treatments.

Adventure

Explore local attractions, try new activities, or take day trips around your area.

Productivity

Use the time to tackle home projects or hobbies you’ve been putting off.

2. Create a Budget

Set Limits

Determine how much you want to spend on activities, food, and any special purchases.

Plan for Extras

Allocate some funds for unexpected treats or experiences.

3. Choose Your Dates

Duration

Decide how long your staycation will last. It could be a long weekend or a full week.

Timing

Pick dates that align with your schedule and any local events or activities you want to enjoy.

4. Plan Your Activities

Local Attractions

Visit museums, parks, botanical gardens, or historical sites in your area.

Outdoor Adventures

Go hiking, cycling, or have a picnic at a nearby scenic spot.

At-Home Experiences

Set up a home spa day, movie marathon, or themed dinner night.

5. Create a Relaxing Environment

De-Clutter

Tidy up your space to create a calm and stress-free environment.

Set the Mood

Use candles, essential oils, or ambient music to enhance relaxation.

Comfort

Invest in cozy blankets, pillows, or lounge wear for ultimate comfort.

6. Organize Special Treats

Food

Plan for special meals or snacks. You might cook something new, order from a favorite restaurant, or try a new recipe.

Drinks

Consider making special cocktails, mocktails, or trying new teas or coffees.

Gifts

Treat yourself to small luxuries like a new book, bath products, or a new gadget.

7. Disconnect

Limit Work

Set boundaries for work-related tasks and emails. Create a “no work” zone.

Unplug

Turn off notifications on your phone or social media to fully immerse in your staycation.

8. Set a Schedule

Daily Plans

Create a loose itinerary to ensure you balance relaxation with activities.

Flexibility

Leave room for spontaneity and relaxation. A rigid schedule can feel like work.

9. Involve the Family

Family Activities

Plan activities that everyone can enjoy together, like board games, family movies, or outdoor fun.

Individual Time

Ensure everyone gets time for their personal interests and relaxation.

10. Document Your Experience

Photos and Journals

Capture memories of your staycation to look back on.

Review and Reflect

After the staycation, consider what worked well and what you’d change for next time.

11. Make it Special

Themes

Create a theme for your staycation, like a tropical getaway, spa retreat, or adventure quest.

Decorate

Add themed decorations or set up a special area to enhance the experience.

12. Staycation Ideas

Home Spa Day

Pamper yourself with facemasks, massages, and relaxing baths.

Backyard Camping

Set up a tent or hammock and enjoy a night under the stars.

Local Tours

Take guided tours of local attractions or landmarks you haven’t explored yet.

DIY Project

Work on a creative project or hobby you’ve been interested in.

By planning ahead and incorporating these ideas, you can ensure your staycation is as enjoyable and refreshing as a traditional vacation.

Invest in a Spa

Relaxation is one of the most important components of a successful vacation. If you want to invest in your enjoyment of your home, you can’t do better than a spa.

A hot tub offers you many hours of relaxation both on your stay-cation and year-round.

With a hot tub just outside your patio door, you can be in the water as often as you want on your stay-cation. From early-morning soaks to starlit dips, there’s no wrong time to hit the hot tub.

You can plan romantic date nights with your honey, spa days with your daughter or friend, or even use it as your own personal masseuse after a workout.

Consider a Fire Pit

Summer vacation is a great time for campfires. If you don’t want to build your own campfire area — because that is a lot of work — consider investing in a store-bought wood-burning unit. If you have more money to spend, a gas-run fire pit is both beautiful and convenient.

Evenings can be spent sitting around the fire chatting, telling stories, or roasting marshmallows. If you have kids, they’ll love making s’mores treats with their ooey-gooey fire-roasted marshmallows.

It’s also a great way to spend time with your spouse or significant other. Whether you curl up together on a lounger and watch the flames or cuddle up on a blanket on the ground, it’s a wonderful time to catch up, reminisce or plan for the future.

Have an Outdoor Eating Area

Spending a lot of time in the kitchen cooking and doing dishes definitely isn’t conducive to a relaxing vacation. By having outdoor cooking and eating area, you can eliminate all of the pots and pans and have more time to enjoy with your family.

Before your stay-cation starts, hit the store and stock up on lots of fresh produce and grill-friendly food. Next, make sure your outdoor eating area has a convenient food-prep space next to your barbecue.

This makes outdoor cooking much easier and more convenient. Cooking and eating outdoors not only keeps your kitchen clean, but it’s also a really relaxing and satisfying experience.

Focus on You

Think about what you really want to do on your stay-cation. Do you want to work on your suntan? Do you want to catch up on your reading? Do you want to explore your own community?

Whatever it is, make that the priority during your vacation at home and ignore unessential chores. This is your time to have fun and relax.

Jacuzzi Hot Tubs of Calgary

If you want to make your backyard the perfect stay-cation destination, Jacuzzi Hot Tubs of Calgary is here to help.

Our focus on providing quality products and service to our customers includes top-notch hot tub maintenance and hot tub repair.

As your top supplier in Alberta for all things spa, we can help you find any accessories you need from a hot tub cover and hot tub cover lifter to spa chemicals.

Visit our Calgary showroom or get in touch with us here to learn more.