Planning Your Vacation Printables

So we've finally completed our
{Planning Your Vacations} Series
and I've summarized each one
and created free printable checklists
for you to download below.

I hope you've enjoyed the series
and have found some useful tips.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions,
and even some of your own helpful vacation tips!

Thanks for stopping by!

 Download Here

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Family Staycation

 

The last post in our {Planning Your Vacations Series}
is what I call our {Family Staycation.}
This is a week I plan activities
within our home and close to where we live.

A lot of us not only have neat places to visit right by us,
but there's also a lot of things you can do for free!
We like to do this because it's a really
inexpensive way to have some fun family time.

Here's the steps we take to plan our {Family Staycation}.

Update: Updated Checklist and Printables can be found here.

1. Choosing the Date

• When should it be? We always plan our {Staycation} during a slow week in the year. Summer and spring are usually busy for us so we like to pick sometime around the end of August or September so we have something to look forward to after all the fun summer months are over.

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2. The Setup

• The Hotel: I found this great post on turning your house into a hotel, complete with free printables. She provides {Room Numbers}, {Room Keys}, {Door Signs}, and {Complimentary Snacks} signs. I like to print off enough items for the people in our family.

• The Bed and Breakfast Nook: I also like to turn my bed room into a Bed and Breakfast Nook by bringing in a small table and chairs so my husband and I can enjoy some quiet breakfasts in our room.

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3. The Food

• Breakfast: The Saturday before our Staycation, I purchase breakfast items for our {Continental Breakfast.} I buy things that will make eating breakfast fun, but requires little preparation for the week.
• Boiled Eggs
• Bagels and Cream Cheese
• Bananas/Other Fresh Fruit
• Muffins
• English Muffins
• Fun Cereals
• Orange Juice

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• Lunch and Dinner: The Saturday before the {Staycation} starts, I cook enough meals for our dinners AND lunches. Typically in our house, we just eat sandwiches for lunch, but during the week of our {Staycation}, we have "fancier" lunches just for fun. Here's some ideas of great recipes that we've used; I usually pick four recipes to make for the week.
• Crockpot Pizza
• Roast
• Steak and Everything Sandwiches
• Sloppy Joes
• Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Easy Chicken Dinner
• Easy Chicken Pot Pie
• Black Bean Enchiladas
• Ham and Turkey Party Rolls

• Snacks: I usually keep a few snacks on hand and ready to go so people can grab a treat, just like you would in a hotel. Here's a few ideas:
• Popcorn
• Cookies
• Granola Bars
• Fruit snacks

4. The Activities

• What should we do? We plan an activity for each day of the week, usually for the evening. We go about our daily schedules, and then meet up at night for the fun! Here's an idea of a typical schedule:
• Monday: Outside Games (basketball, tennis, baseball, Frisbee, etc.)
• Tuesday: Movie Night (either at home with treats or at a theater)
• Wednesday: Board Game Night
• Thursday: Cook a fun dessert or treat together
• Friday: Outdoor cookout
• Saturday: Go somewhere fun nearby
• Ideas for Utah
• Inexpensive Vacation or Staycation Fun Ideas
• Funfix

There you have it!

I hope this post helps give some ideas

on how to plan your {Family Staycation},

and if anything,

remind us that you don't always have to spend

money to make the best memories.

 Next week I'll have printable summaries

for each vacation we've gone through

so be sure to check back!

Thanks for stopping by!

 Download Here

 

Family Vacation

 

So the next vacation our family plans each year
is our {Family Vacation.}
This is a vacation where we get away
somewhere together.

It doesn't have to be far or expensive;
just an opportunity to be together
and do something different than the day to day.

Here's the steps we take to plan our {Family Vacation}.

1. The Location

• Picking Where to Go: Since we're on a budget, we generally pick places that are close. 
• Enjoy Utah has 10 easy vacations in Utah planned for you on her site, complete with where to stay and what to do.

• For cruises, we use VacationsToGo and have really been impressed with their customer service.
• Freebies2Deals has some great posts on how to save at Disneyland.

2. Choosing Where to Stay

• Hotels: We generally stay in hotels on our vacations. Expedia and Priceline can help you get some great deals. 

• Camping:  Camping is another really great way to go if you're not wanting to spend a lot of money. Here's a {free camping checklist} for what to bring.

3. Choosing How to Get There

• Flying: If you choose to fly, AirFareWatchDog can is a great site to set up price alerts so you can get the best price.

• Driving: If you choose to drive, here's a few of my favorite "Road Trip" posts with ideas and free printables!
• Road Trip Date
• Rad Road Trips
• {Tip:} If you call Bing (1-800-246-4411), you can say "Cheap Gas" and the area your traveling in and it will give you the best gas prices nearby!

4. Food

• Breakfast: We always stay in Hotels that have free continental breakfasts to save money on food. We try to stay in Hotels that have the hot breakfast because they usually have more choices and you can grab a fruit or yogurt for a snack later.

Photo Credit

• Dinner: For dinner we usually eat out and enjoy trying new places. Again, if you call  Bing (1-800-246-4411), it will give you a list and rating of different places to eat in the area, along with phone numbers and directions.

Photo Credit

• Lunch: I saved this for last because in the past, we usually brought a small cooler filled with:
• Bread
• Cheese
• Meats
• Sandwich dressings
• String Cheese
• Yogurts
• Apples
• Carrots
• Granola Bars
• Treats

HOWEVER

• The last time I was pregnant, I couldn't keep dinners down, but could eat lunch just fine. (Anyone else only had night sickness?) We didn't want to be wasting money on food I couldn't keep down, so we ate out during lunch and ate our sandwiches and simple snacks for dinner. And we found we liked eating this way better! Why?
• Cheaper meals! Lunch prices are quite a bit cheaper but you generally get the same amount of food as a dinner portion. Many times we kept our leftovers and just ate them for dinner.
• We were on the go all day so a big lunch kept us full, but then we also "worked it off" during the rest of the day. Ending with a small meal and then relaxing was a great way to finish the days.

5. Packing

UPDATE: New All-In-One Packing List & Kid's Packing Cards found here!

• Children's Packing List: This {free printable} is great for babies or small children.

Download Here

• Adult Packing List: Use this {free printable} checklist to remember what to pack.

Download Here

• Before You Leave Checklist: Be sure to lock up tight and follow the steps on the {Before We Leave} list before you head out.

Download Here

6. Traveling Tip

• Bing 411: Bing 411 has been an amazing tool for us as we've traveled. For those of you who don't have internet on your phones, this is your answer! There's no charge to use it, other than the usage of your minutes and texts. Here's a few of my favorite features:

• Find directions and phone numbers to local shops and restaurants
• Hear or receive text driving directions to locations
• Listen to current weather conditions
• Get traffic updates
• Visit Bing 411 to learn more!

Hopefully this helps give you some guidelines

and free resources to making planning your

{Family Vacation} a little easier!

Thanks for stopping by!

 Download Here

 

Couple Weekend Getaway

So the first in {Planning Your Vacations Series}
is the {Couple Weekend Getaway}.
I've always believed that it's important
for couples to not only have weekly dates,
but to also have a chance to
have a short vacation together.

 It's a chance to relax and enjoy an evening together
without worrying about daily parenting responsibilities.
The opportunity to be alone, talk and do activities
together can do wonders for your friendship
and put a spark back in your relationship.

Here's the steps we take to plan our {Couple Weekend Getaway}.

UPDATE: New All-In-One Packing List & Kid's Packing Cards found here!

1. Find a Sitter

• Take the Kids to Someone's House: Here's a {Baby Packing Checklist} to know what to pack for a baby; however, it also works great for children.

Download Here

• Bring a Sitter to Your House: I like having older teenagers babysit for overnighters so they can drive if needed. Find one that will not only be responsible, but will also be willing to play with the children. I also like to make things as simple as possible for the sitter so they only need to babysit and not be the mother.
• Fill out the {Babysitter Info Form} with important info and instructions

 
Download Here

• Leave an {Emergency Numbers Checklist} available

Download Here

• Prepare meals ahead of time by pre-making sandwiches for lunches and meals for dinner. Here's my favorite cooking blogs for ideas:
• Gooseberry Patch
• The Girl Who Ate Everything
• Jamie Cooks It Up
• Deals to Meals

2. Before You Leave

• Before You Leave Checklist: If you're headed away for your {Getaway}, be sure to lock up tight and follow the steps on the {Before We Leave} list

Download Here

3. The Getaway

• Staying Home: Your {Couple Weekend Getaway} can be at home! Being newlyweds on a budget meant we got to be creative. If your kids are staying elsewhere and you're staying home, here's a few ideas:
• Dinner: Make it special! Either go out to a favorite restaurant or cook something delicious. {Click here for some easy recipes.}
• Activities: Plan some fun interactive activities during your {Getaway}! Here's a few ideas:
• Bowling
• Mini Golf
• Nickelcade
• Ice Skating
• Frisbee
• Hike
• Stargaze
• Board Game Competitions
• Bike Ride
• Visit the Dating Divas or Love Actually for more ideas
• Decorate: One of my favorite anniversaries was when my husband re-did our room to look like our room on our honeymoon at Anniversary Inn. By using cardboard, he turned our bed into a boat and created fancy windows with window boxes. Make a breakfast nook and transform your room and/or house! You can keep it simple, but still make it special. 
• Getting Away: 
• Packing: If you're leaving, here's {Travel Packing Checklist} to be sure you don't forget anything

Download Here

• Finding a Location: One of our favorite locations for a {Couple Weekend Getaway} is the Historic Manti House Inn. The rooms are cute and charming and a delicious breakfast is included with your room rate. The town is quiet and peaceful and we enjoy walking around.

                   Visit the Palisade Golf Course and Reservoir for a fun activity while there!

4. Have Fun!

• Look for Bed and Breakfasts, fun hotels, or go camping! Be sure to have fun and just talk! Leave your electronics off and enjoy your {Couple Weekend Getaway} together!

Here's a list of some {Let's Talk} questions to ask each other!

Download Here

Source: Dating Divas

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