Travel during the holidays can be expensive and stressful. This year you might be contemplating the merits of a stay at home vacation, also known as a “staycation”. This idea may appeal to you for several reasons. You might not have the vacation time or funds necessary to take an extended trip away from home. You may have a family member who can’t travel due to physical limitations. Worst of all, you could have a recurring nightmare of getting on a plane and suddenly realizing someone in your group didn’t make it (remember the movie “Home Alone”?).

While it might not be as tempting as jetting off to the coast for some beach time, staying home for vacation can have its advantages, not the least of which is more money in your pocket. Tally up the cost of airfare, hotel rooms, meals out, transportation, tips and gratuities, activities…it adds up fast! By staying in town, you can use that money for other things. Here are some ideas for how to spend those extra dollars and have a staycation to remember.

Get Outdoors

You might be surprised by how many fun things there are to do right in your own town. If you live in an area with lots of snow, try snowshoeing, cross country skiing or snowmobiling. If you don’t have the know-how or equipment, look into taking lessons with some of that money you saved by staying in town.

Visit Santa

If you have little ones, see if there is a nearby Santa’s Village to visit. If they want to know what Santa is doing south of the North Pole, explain that he has “franchise operations” all over the world to help out with production for Christmas.

Take in Some Culture

When was the last time you visited an art gallery? How about a local museum? Is there a planetarium in your city? Theater in the park? Historical society and/or landmarks open to the public? A science center? If you stay in town, you will have time to explore these local gems that you might not ever take the time to enjoy otherwise.

Kick Back and Relax

A spa day is a fantastic thing to do on a staycation. What better way to enjoy your time off than by getting a massage, facial, foot reflexology, sugar scrub, or any one of several relaxing and therapeutic treatments available at a day spa! With the money you save on travel, you can add that mani-pedi you’ve been talking yourself out of for months.

Be a Hometown Tourist

Why not check into a local hotel or bed and breakfast and let someone else make the bed for a few days? Enjoy room service, a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, state-of-the-art gym, and gift shops. Ask the front desk for a restaurant recommendation, and take a taxi there. Check out that new club you’ve been hearing about, or take a walk downtown and enjoy the Christmas lights and perhaps a carriage ride.

Make Memories

You don’t necessarily have to leave the house to enjoy your staycation. If you have little ones home for the holidays, why not spend some time preparing for the big day? Making cookies or other edible gifts can be a fun activity children look forward to year after year. You can pass on Grandma’s famous fudge recipe, then help the kids wrap up the results and put them under the tree to enjoy on Christmas day. If there is a nursing home or assisted living facility nearby, why not take some homemade goodies to distribute among the residents?

If cooking or baking isn’t your idea of fun, you can teach the young ones how to make ornaments from dough, Styrofoam balls or felt. For the low cost of a few crafting materials, some glue, and a little bit of your time and creativity, you can spend time together and spread a little homemade holiday cheer to others

There are a lot of benefits to taking a staycation. Why not try it this year? You just might make it a new holiday tradition.