Here it is January 24th. It’s a cold, cold, cold day in Minnesota. Outside it’s around 11 degrees and it’s been cold for a few weeks. In fact, many people have colds. We’re pretty much stuck inside. It’s the time of year when most people in the northern states get the blues and lust for a warmer environment.
With the economy the way it is, many people have chosen to forego the family vacation to a sunny beach paradise. If you’re one of these people and you’ve cut the travel budget temporarily here’s exactly what you need: A complete “staycation kit” for under $100. If you are not aware, a “staycation” is a vacation that is spent at or nearby your home enjoying all that your present environs have to offer.
The point of all this is to get the feeling of being in a tropical paradise without actually going. It can be done. One key is to hit all the senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. When you do, you’ll feel more alive immediately.
Let’s get started. Most of what you’ll need you’ll already have around the house. A few things you’ll need to purchase. Gather the following items:
Beach Towel – Touch
Sunscreen – Smell and Touch
Pineapple juice, Coconut Cream, Orange juice, Rum flavor concentrate, Crushed ice (see recipes below) – Taste
Hawaiian Shaved Ice Party Package – Taste
Swimsuit, Shorts, Flip flops, Sunglasses
Hawaiian Shirt – Sight
Sunny Window – Sight and warmth
Waves The Best Caribbean Beaches and Hawaiian Dreams DVD – Sight and hearing
Glade Hawaiian Breeze Air Freshener – Smell
Jet X20 video game for PS2 or Kawasaki Jet Ski video game for PS2 – Sight and hearing
Palm Trees (optional) – Sight
Sea shells (optional) – Sight and touch
Add a couple of kids under the age of 10 and you’ll really add to the fun and realism (optional)
The best time to do this is during the afternoon. Put on your swimming suit, flip flops, and sunglasses. You’re going on an adventure right at home. Find the sunniest spot in your house…a window with the sun pouring in. Turn the thermostat up to 75 degrees and it’l be warmer than it is in Florida right now! Place the palm tree next to the TV and insert the Waves DVD. Grab your beach towel and lay it out on the carpet. Now spray the glade in the air for a tropical smell, slather on some sunscreen, and lay out for a while. Let the sound of the ocean and warmth of the sun soothe you. Read a book if you like on your beach.
After a good relaxation, get out the ingredients to make some refreshing tropical drinks.
Pina Colada (virgin, non-alcoholic)
7 oz Pineapple Juice
2 oz Coconut Cream
1 cup crushed ice
Add the pineapple juice, coconut cream and crushed ice to a blender; blend at high speed. Pour into glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, a pineapple wedge, and serve.
Blue Hawaiian (virgin, non-alcoholic)
4 oz. Pineapple Juice
3 oz. Coconut Cream
1 oz. Orange juice concentrate
1 cup crushed ice
6 drops Rum Flavor Concentrate
Blue food coloring
Blend with crushed ice to desired consistency. Garnish with a pineapple slice and serve.
Another option is to make your own Hawaiian Shave Ice. You could even make a picnic lunch to eat on your private island or call “room service” and get a pizza delivered (Domino’s nearby?).
Our kids took this to the next level. They easily went along with the charade without even thinking. It was just another fun game for them…”the Hawaiian beach game”. They even used their imaginations to blow up a inner tube and jump into the water. (The shower is really near by.)
As you stimulate your senses, you’ll feel what it’s like to be in a tropical paradise without all the expense and hassle of traveling…at least for an afternoon. I highly promote travel to a warm destination. It’s definitely the best experience overall but sometimes it isn’t practical financially or in your schedule and the right thing is to stay home. These staycation ideas give you some of the fun. This may not help the economy but it will surely help your spirits.
Take lots of photos and don’t forget the Sunless Tanner when you go back to work to make everyone jealous of your time in the sun.
P.S. My wife and I also used the Waves DVD on a staycation anniversary celebration at a hotel nearby the Mall of America. It was dark outside and the sound of the waves really made us feel like the ocean was right outside our window even though it was in the middle of winter. The whirlpool hot tub helped, too.
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