Single Traveler Tip 2: Holiday Ideas 2015

Childhood visions of  “sugar plums dancing in [our] heads” may have been replaced with less-welcome dreams of  “Home Alone for the Holidays”!  Whether security concerns, budgetary constraints or hectic work schedules have you ensconced at home with a blank “dance card”, the holidays can be the perfect time to create your own “staycation”. The challenge? Faithfully sticking to your schedule of indulgences rather than opting to repaint the basement steps or get an early start on your 2015 income tax return!

Five alternatives to consider:

1. Be a tourist at home: Take a city tour of your hometown, visit museums/exhibits and check out local concerts and plays. If there is a Duck Tour or river trip where you hop on and off, better still!
2. Sign up for a 1+ hour massage.  Don’t save this for travel since you likely need it more at home if working a “26” hour day.
3. Create your own movie marathon.  As a law student, I loved to slip off undetected to a double feature of classic films. Fast forward to this year’s birthday: I started the day with Robert deNiro as “The Intern” and after lunch at a Georgetown bistro was entranced by the heart-attack producing “No Escape”.
4. Put on your ultimate chic and have dinner at the city’s top venue. One caveat: This is not for the feint of heart. One Christmas Eve, having booked a festive dinner for my “Group of One” at Washington, DC’s Four Seasons, I felt empowered to have created my own upscale celebration.  Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was short-lived when I was suddenly spotted by friends dining “family-style” at a neighboring table, too late for me to crawl under the tablecloth undetected!
5.  Volunteer at a soup kitchen or local shelter.  Do check the schedule first since last minute drop-in’s may not work.

For those in the US, have a great Thanksgiving and to all, Email Us Your Own Staycation Ideas!