A vacation at home
If you are staying at home for the holidays, spoil yourself with a home vacation. A staycation is all about spoiling yourself... in the comfort of your own home!
A vacation is not always on the cards for many families - the cost of transport, travel costs, accommodation and meals can quickly add up to a small fortune. If you are planning of staying at home for the holidays - first things first... switch off. Disconnect cellphone and computers and cancel all alarm apps, you don't want anything to disturb the peace. The idea is to transform your home into a vacation retreat, a comfortable place to relax and take time out and set aside the distractions of everyday living.
We put together some of our top tips to have a wonderful staycation where you can pamper yourself - body and mind.
Get comfortable
Comfortable seating is a must for enjoying the outdoors. Make sure your garden furniture is up to the task, or look at what you can afford to gear up your outdoor area for relaxation. You don't have to spend a fortune to add designer-look furniture and we offer plenty of DIY options in our Garden Crafts section if you are operating on a limited budget. There's still plenty of time to go shopping at your local Builders for materials and dust off the power tools.
When the sun is high in the sky you are going to need plenty of shade. Even on a small budget you can look at a DIY shade net or a shade sail. These cost around R700 upwards, depending on the size, and will provide a place to get out of the heat and still spend time outdoors. We offer tips and projects for setting up a shady spot.
Meals on the braai
Ditch the stove and grab your braai tongues. A staycation is all about taking it easy, so fire up the barbie, pop on a griddle and get ready for easy meals without slaving over a hot stove. We are very lucky to have so much beautiful weather, and even when it rains, South Africans still manage to cook on the braai. Get your braai ready for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or plan to eat out as much as possible.
Stoke the fire
A firepit is a great way to add atmosphere to your evenings outdoors, and they're perfect for a romantic evening for two. Whether you buy a steel grate or make your own firepit, nothing beats the magic of toasting marshmallows over flickering flames as you watch the sun go down - glass in hand and a sigh in your heart. You will find a basic firepit design here or get more outdoor ideas in our Garden & Patio section.
Hotel at home
Stock up the fridge with meals and snacks that will last the duration of your staycation; plan ahead for romantic dinners or family meals that are quick and easy. That way you can spend more time relaxing and less time cooking. Make sure to have plenty of drinks on hand. Fill your pitchers with homemade lemonade or chilled cucumber water and sit back and enjoy the break.
We've already looked at setting up your outdoor haven, but don't forget indoors as well. Pack away all unnecessary clutter so you won't be distracted. If you have time, give the house a clean from top to bottom before you go on staycation - less to do while you're chilling out.
Having a staycation means more money to splurge on a few luxuries to make your holiday special. If the budget allows, have meals delivered or put funds aside to eat out more often. Even though you're not having a holiday away - you still want to have fun and have plenty of time to relax.