Staycations: the economy keeps us home

Online exclusive: MapleLine Magazine: Aug.5, 2009

by Mary P. Brooke

IT'S NOW TRENDY TO VACATION at HOME

Not too long ago it was the status symbol of urban dwellers to brag about the destination for their annual, bi-annual, or more frequent vacations. The farther and more exotic location, the more upscale impact might be achieved.

Enter the recession, which apparently started to be felt before the obvious Nov.2009 crash. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about staying home for the holidays, in the new style called staycations:

A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation,or staykation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in the financial crisis of 2007–2009 in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high. The term was added to the 2009 version of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.

Homeowners are likely to appreciate the time (without pressure) to work on home improvements and garden upkeep. Families are likely to benefit on many levels as parents, kids and extended family members spend more time together.

The acceptability of staycations is at least one up-side to the economic downturn we are all experiencing on some level or another. MM

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Check out the Fall 2009 issue of MapleLine for a story about Rob Edwards who retired from almost 20 years teaching music in the Sooke school system.

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