Guest Author - Cate Brizzell

According to www.urbandictionary.com, "staycation" is defined as "a vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer; a vacation spent close to home". The entry goes on to say "With the price of gas soaring, a staycation is what most Americans will experience during the summer of 2008".

Americans love their summer vacations. The Travel Industry Association is reporting that only 1% of Americans will drop plans to vacation this year, definitely not a major decline. However, polls show the vast majority of families will cut vacation expenses, in various ways.

In August of 2007 Money Magazine reported that the average American family was planning to spend around $1600 on their annual summer vacation. This year, TripAdvisor polls indicate that 11% of families will cut back on that $1600 by vacationing closer to home.

A staycation can take one of two forms: staying home and planning fun activities, or vacationing at local or regional sites.

One local family I know purchased season passes to their local amusement park, complete with thrill rides and water park facilities. With strategic Mondays and Fridays off from work, the entire family can pack a picnic and enjoy several full days of summer fun throughout the season.

Camping is a perennial favorite for staycations. Most Americans have lakes, mountains or campground facilities within a few minutes' or a few hours' drive from their home. An expensive RV isn't required. A simple tent or rented/borrowed pop-up trailer can provide inexpensive accomodations, while full-facility campgrounds can offer something for everyone.

Depending on where you live, home can make a great base for finally seeing all the local sights. My own hometown is in a very historic area, but I have to admit, we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to museums, national historical parks, or natural wonders. One great way to enjoy your hometown or state is to pretend you're responsible for planning a full local vacation for a visiting family. Where would you send them? You may find yourself surprised by options you never knew existed; you may rediscover familiar sites and fall in love with your own hometown!

A true staycation can simply mean staying home. Have you truly taken the time to enjoy your gardens, backyard, pool, deck or patio? Get some of your favorite books, DVD's or hobbies together. Decide that you won't use your vacation time to work around the house. Pretend you're renting! Be lazy. Spend your days lounging and simply enjoying the comfortable home you've made for yourself and your family. Play games. Build a campfire. Laugh. Relax.

For a truly fun and different staycation, swap homes with a local family, even neighbors! Then you truly won't be tempted to work on projects around the house.

When you think about it, a vacation is really a state of mind, and mostly about relaxing, refreshing and reconnecting with the ones you love. So is a "staycation". If your budget is requiring you to stay close to home or nix your vacation plans altogether, get creative and challenge yourself to create a staycation with a vacation atmosphere.