Do you have holidays coming up but cannot really afford to go anywhere? If you have a family and are living on one income, then one of the first things to be sacrificed are holidays. If you have come to the realization that your family vacation may not be in the budget this year, then don’t despair just yet. It is possible to enjoy a family vacation from the comfort of home in the form of a stay-cation.

A stay-cation is a vacation where you do not go anywhere. Instead you enjoy the comforts and luxuries of home without spending any money on accommodation, tours, rental cars, airline tickets and travel insurance.  There are several different ways you can enjoy a stay-cation with a little imagination.

Resort Style Stay-cations

Yearning to sit back and relax with a cocktail in hand while enjoying all the luxurious of a five star resort? Too bad five star resorts come with five star prices and you could be looking at spending a few hundred dollars a night just on accommodation alone. Resorts offer so many different luxurious from a swimming pool, to delicious room service, to yummy cocktails hand delivered to your deck chair.

Use your imagination and create this world at home. During the day set up the kiddie pool with water so that the kids can splash around. Mix up a few delicious cocktails for you and your husband with your favourite spirit, mixer and ice. Put the drinks in a colourful glass complete with a little umbrella (from the bargain store) and a fancy straw and transport yourself away from your backyard and onto an exclusive island.

You can make your own bedroom a little more resort-like with a few quick improvements. For example, enjoy the luxury of room service by bringing the television into the bedroom and cooking up a meal to serve with the family while watching DVD’s on your bed.

Spa Stay-Cations

To enjoy a perfect spa without the costs, set up a family spa service with one family member in charge of different areas – your daughter could be in charge of giving facials; your son could be responsible for massage; and your hubby could do the diligent duty of a manicurist. Of course you will have to switch so everyone gets a turn! And, top of the five star service with a long luxurious soak in a bubble bath complete with a glass of champagne, strawberries and candles.

Day Trips

Find some interesting things to do within an hours drive of home and enjoy a day trip!  You could enjoy a day out at the zoo, museum or art gallery.  You could pick strawberries or go to a fun park.  Hire a boat for the day and do some fishing!  At least you don’t need to find accommodation at the end of the day – you just drive home to the comfort of your own bed!

Of course if you are dying for a cheap holiday – you could always try house swapping with a friend or family member!