Holidays can be overwhelming. Places to be, relatives to visit, meals to plan and host, events and parties galore. It is all good, but sometimes can be too much. Shear logistics of managing the schedules and events can be so difficult that it can take the joy out of the actual experience.
Virginia Saves has an idea that can keep the joy of the season but spread more throughout the year as well! Creative celebrations can bring new life to old routines and to keep the spirit of the season all year long. One idea is to shift some of the celebrations normally reserved for November and December to times when you can have more intentional focus.
Summertime can be a great time for breaking from routines and reconnecting with family. Shared vacations can be a great way to bond with sisters, cousins, aunts and grandparents. Consider adding some family fun to your get togethers by having Christmas celebrations out of season. It can help you keep the season in your heart and remember all the reasons for the holiday.
Who says you can't enjoy a turkey feast with all the trimmings during the summer. Perhaps even plan a Christmas party with family and friends. Singing holiday music, like "Let it Snow" can create some festivities and add a lot of fun to the summertime heat! Plan a gift exchange and pull out all the ornaments and baubles from your last celebration to bring new life and joy to your summertime fun!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Vacation Savings Guide
Vacation is a time for taking a break from our routines of life to reconnect with the important things in life, like family and friends while taking time to unwind and get rejuvenated. Virginia Saves is here to help your family create a vacation to remember!
Staycation Ideas
The trick to a successful staycation is to create the mood of a traditional vacation. Breaking from routine and enjoying fun activities together as a family.
Backyard Parties Great ideas for connecting with family and friends right at home.
Backyard Recreations: Having a party or just enjoying games as a family can be a great way to create summertime memories.
Explore your own Backyard: One of my favorite things to do is to investigate some of the history of my hometown and visit historical locations. Check out your local historical society or search for a book on the history of your area. Roadside America can also introduce you to some oddities that might be right in your own area! Finding that hidden treasure in your community can be a great adventure.
Family Reunions: You don't have to wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to reconnect with extended family. Family reunions allow your children to connect with the roots of their family tree (and perhaps all the branches as well). Check out this website with all the resources you need to plan the perfect family reunion: http://family-reunion.com/ From concept to the actual event, there are lots of details to cover. The planning can become a family project with every member contributing something to the event.
Summertime Projects: Summertime can provide the time needed to tackle some of those projects. Doing projects together as a family can be a great way to create a memory this summer.
Random Holiday: I enjoy this one. Plan a day several weeks in advance for a special day to honor someone you love. It could be a grandparent, Dad or some other important person in your life. Spend time preparing a celebration that will show them how much they mean to you. Because it is random, it adds to the celebration - they will never expect it, but your family can have a great time as you plan and anticipate the event!
Pitch a Tent: You don't need to leave town to go camping. Consider camping in your own back yard. Just the very act of leaving the house can create a sense of adventure and fun.
If you are looking for some additional inspiration check out Smart Ideas for a Summer Staycation.
Building Family Ties
1. Host a family picnic: Invite family to a family picnic. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you desire. If family are located close, you can have them bring a dish to pass and share the costs or you can provide the food and have them contribute the activities or decorations. The more every member is involved in the planning the better.
2. Plan a family reunion: Check out this website with all the resources you need to plan the perfect family reunion: http://family-reunion.com/ From concept to the actual event, there are lots of details to cover. The planning can become a family project with every member contributing something to the event.
3. Combine a Vacation: Sharing a vacation can be a great way to create family memories! Choose a destination and start making plans. To help inspire you, check out http://www.favoritefamilyvacations.com/ as a resource for ideas to build your vacation plan. Pick a location in the middle or go to a favorite spot. The possibilities are endless!
Check out our vacation planning tools in the guide as well. Share your stories with us!
Back to Vacation Guide
Travel Savings
Traveling in the summertime can be a great way to enjoy a family adventure while strengthening valuable relationships. With some simple strategies and the right planning, you can make that summer vacation you and your family have been talking about a reality.
Planning the Family Trip
As you plan your family vacation, there are several important things to keep in mind:
Picking a Destination
When considering destinations for your summertime get away, it is important to keep in mind how long the trip will take, the method of transportation, and how each relates to your budget; however the most important thing to keep in mind is the reason for the trip. Pick a destination where you and your family can relax, explore, and do the things you wouldn’t normally be able to do at home. An important thing to remember is to pick a destination where your family can spend and enjoy time together on a family adventure you will remember for a long time. Once you’ve chosen a destination, then you can plan with detail exactly how you will make your vacation possible while fitting your budget.
Travel Trends
By selecting less popular routes and travel dates, you can save both time and money as you plan your itinerary. For example, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturday afternoons often offer the best rates on air fares because there are typically fewer people travelling.
Flights/Airfare:
Hotels/Lodging
A savvy vacation planner should be sure to find the best deal possible when making hotel reservations. The following are links to several popular hotel and lodging search engines you can use to find the best rate available for your vacation.
Vacation Packages
Vacation Packages are often affordable solutions when planning a family vacation, however might not offer as much flexibility as planning your own.
The AAA website has a page on Travel Planning which offers a variety of valuable tips, tools, and resources to help you as you plan your itinerary. The article 20 Secrets to Save on Travel, lists in detail a variety of important tips to keep in mind during the planning process.
Food/Dining
For tips and ways to save on food and dining during your summer vacation, see
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