Stay home for the holidays
The credit crunch, fluctuating price of fuel and the soaring cost of day-to-day living are ever present news items, with the current economic climate forcing many people to forget this year's sunny overseas holiday and instead take a ‘staycation' at home for their main annual break. If this sounds familiar, you may feel that this is one summer you can't wait to forget right? Wrong! With the financial savings you'll make by not shelling out on a package deal, a staycation offers the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy some quality family time. Leading developer Persimmon Homes offers some top tips on how to make the most of staying put...
- Forget the house work. Take your statutory week or two of holiday and don't even think about touching the vacuum. This is your time to relax and take a break from the every day chores. If that's too hard, why not treat yourself and book a cleaner to give the house a once over.
- Set aside family time and use it wisely. Just because you are at home doesn't mean the kids can spend all day in front of the TV. Plan activities throughout your staycation to visit local attractions, try new things and most importantly be together as a family.
- Switch off from the outside world. You don't check your mobile and emails every second when you are on holiday so inform your family and friends that you are taking a staycation and would rather they didn't contact you for a week. Then turn off all of your electronic devises, wrench the kids away from the computer and revel in the freedom from technology.
- Plan for rain. Living in England a staycation is never going to be perfect so ensure you have a back up plan should the heavens open. Invest in a few new board games and make sure you have some indoor activities such as trips to the cinema, ice skating or even playing on the Wii, up your sleeve.
- Rediscover the romance. Turn off the TV, open a bottle of wine and enjoy a candlelit dinner with your other half. You'll soon be laughing like the old days and without mosquitos and cockroaches to contend with, an evening on the patio could reignite that flame!
- Remember a staycation is not just about the kids having fun. Plan in a few activities for just you and your partner, be it nights out, a trip to a theatre or perhaps an overnight stay at a local spa.
- Eat out. Book a few nice restaurants and indulge in a take-away or two to recreate that holiday feeling.
- Invest in a good book. Everyone loves an escapist read on holiday so pick yourself out a couple of page turners and indulge in some lazy afternoons.
Ditch the car. Challenge the kids to plan the route and take the train or bus instead so you can relax and enjoy the local scenery.
- Give your garden a holiday makeover. Invest in a paddling pool or sprinkler, some new loungers and even outdoor games to keep the kids entertained. And since you aren't going away why not splash out on a fancy BBQ and invite all your friends over to celebrate the final night of a fantastic staycation!
Why not make the most of your staycation this summer in a brand new Persimmon home? The company is currently building developments in Great Baddow, Colchester, Ipswich, Barkingside, Stanstead Abbotts, Stansted Mountfitchet, Stowmarket, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Little Dunmow and Witham and offers a range of homes from innovative schemes in prime locations to traditional developments in picturesque villages.
Properties vary from apartments, ideal for first time buyers, to contemporary townhouses and traditional family homes.
For further information on the range of properties available throughout Essex, log on to Persimmonhomes.com
* ‘Staycation', top trend predicted for this year, according to JWT, the US's largest ad agency.
