People are currently discovering staycations. Staycations are similar to the old-fashioned poor man’s style of vacationing. Only now, instead of being the poor man’s style, it’s the in-crowd’s style of trendy vacationing. There are a few differences between the old and new trends though, besides the new name. For instance, the new trend involves converting backyards into luxurious staycation resorts. The new trend also involves staying home by choice rather than through necessity.

There have always been several reasons why people stayed home during their vacations otherwise than simply being poor. Many more have been added to the list in recent years. Some of the past common reasons for staycations were conflicting work schedules, high fuel prices, lack of affordable transportation for large families, and lack of vacation funding. More modern reasons include these past reasons with the addition of conflicting social engagements, such as the children’s involvement with local summer programs and sporting activities.

The fear of terrorist activities and the hassles of flying have also been added to the growing list of reasons why staycations are chosen. The recession has had a major affect on vacations, as well. Not only because the recession affects whether or not a person can finance a vacation, but also because it has forced many resorts to close due to bankruptcy. The most recently added reasons have been pollution, natural disasters, and inclement weather ruining favorite vacation spots.

The recession also makes staycations a wiser choice because it involves investing in home and backyard improvements. The whole idea behind staycations is to adopt a vacation theme, and then convert an area of your backyard or home into a resort that matches the theme. These improvements help to create the vacation atmosphere, while increasing the value of the property. The best part is that you can enjoy the vacation repeatedly any time you choose throughout the year, since you own the resort. Moreover, you can adapt the staycation resort to host a wide variety of themed vacations and social events simply by altering a few elements, such as patio furniture styles and plants.

Numerous chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus are also encouraging people to stay home for vacations, hoping to keep the spent vacation funds circulating within the community. They suggest using the time for taking day trips to local state and city parks, museums, and other local attractions. The tourism agencies also recommend immersing yourself and your family in the local cultural activities and special events occurring in the area.

Many national store chains are encouraging people to use staycations too, hoping to make a profit by selling the materials for the conversion processes. Wal-Mart and Target push patio furnishings and outdoor activity equipment, while home improvement stores sell kits, materials, and tools for do-it-yourself staycation projects. Lowe’s and Home Depot will even help you choose a staycation theme. Then they will sell you the kits or materials and project blueprints you need for converting your backyard or home into that staycation resort.

Lowe’s offers a kit for creating a Caribbean Island retreat, complete with hammocks, tiki hut, misting fans, tiki torches, and bar. They also offer two other themed kits, which are named Call to All Campers and Garden Oasis. The Call to All Campers theme features an easy to build sundeck, an infrared grill, and a fire pit, while the Garden Oasis kit features a canopy, outdoor shower, pergola, and bamboo. Lowe’s also suggests suitable meals and provides some recipes to fit the various themes.

Home Depot provides kits and plans for such projects as outdoor theaters, games, and other outdoor activities. This emphasizes some of the primary elements of staycations, such as spending quality family time, and remembering to act as if you’re in a faraway vacation resort, away from home. When you’re planning your staycation, be sure to plan theme related meals, entertainment, and other tourist activities. Make certain to include time and activities for self-nurturing as well.

Don’t let anything distract you from enjoying your family time during the staycation. If you set the time for certain activities, use that time for the set purpose, or for some impulsive alternative relaxation activity. Don’t take or make business calls or do any other type of work, such as house repairs or routine household errands during the hours set aside for vacation time.

Moreover, don’t stick to your daily routine schedules. Stock up on whatever groceries and supplies you’ll need ahead of time, so you won’t have to do routine shopping while vacationing. Eat meals at more random times, stay up later, and sleep in later. If you start thinking about what work needs to be done, then it’s time to go for a fun outing, visit somewhere you’ve never been to, or do something you’ve never done before.

Penny Vincent has been a professional writer for 3 years. She joined The Housing