Five Steps to a Successful and Memorable Staycation

Picture a great afternoon hanging out at the pool or beach during a recent vacation. Think hard about the details of that afternoon. What did you see? Did you enjoy a great poolside snack or cocktail? What did you smell? How 'bout groovy summer music? Splashing in the ocean or pool?

Here's how I'm creating the perfect staycation experience for my family...

Sight

Obviously, if you're staying home for vacation this year like we are, you won't be renting a lovely beach house or enjoying a tropical poolside picnic. It's easy to turn your back patio into a great escape. Your job here is to make that back patio look tropical, inviting and festive. It might take a little bit of work and planning, but the result of it actually looking like a breezy beach house rental means it will feel like a breezy beach house rental.

First, spray outside for bugs. Bug bites can single handedly ruin any vacation. If you'd like a sunscreen combined with bug repellant, consider Avon's Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus, which can easily be ordered online.

Let's start with the table & chairs. Drape your beach towels over the chairs and spread the big beach blanket on the patio floor or in the yard for the kids to lie on. Raise that umbrella. Grab a string of Christmas lights and weave them up the pole and into the umbrella's bones (don't forget to remove them when you're done). When lit, they'll create a festive ambiance that will only get better as day turns to night.

Grab your colorful outdoor plates & glasses. If you don't have any, check local stores for great summer sales up to 50% off, usually beginning in July. Fill a couple of bowls with non-greasy snacks like pretzels & Goldfish. Mix some frozen margaritas or iced tea in a pitcher for the adults. Don't forget the kids - provide them with a pitcher of lemonade.

Fresh lemonade is simple to make. Sure, the convenient powder mix is easiest (and I'm lazy), but we're going for something a little more special for your staycation experience. This recipe, by Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa fame, couldn't be easier or tastier. A citrus press or juicer makes squeezing the tart yellow fruit a cinch. If you can't find superfine sugar in the baking aisle at the grocery store, make your own by pulsing regular sugar in the food processor.

Fresh Lemonade

Ina Garten

Makes 1 ½ quarts.

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (5 to 6 lemons)

½ - ¾ cup superfine sugar, to taste

1 cup crushed ice

4 cups water

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth. Serve over ice.

Taste

A trip to the beach for us means fresh seafood. Maybe your favorite summer vacation was a trip to New Orleans or San Francisco. Prepare a meal that reminds you of your favorite destination.

The kids will definitely be hungry. Empty Pringle cans are a great way to transport snacks and are perfect for little fingers. They also protect fragile chips a lot better than a bag. Fresh fruit kabobs and frozen grapes are always popular and refreshing.

Sippin' sweet tea, a mojito or a pina colada while sitting on your homemade tropical verandah will certainly taste like vacation. A simple pitcher perched on the table will prevent you from having to make trips inside the house. A well-stocked cooler is a great idea, too.

A semi-frozen granita is the perfect summer treat. Giada De Laurentiis has created a refreshing one of cranberry juice, lime juice and vodka. I serve mine in a martini glass garnished with fresh mint. Beautiful colors and fantastic flavors! Cheers!

Cranberry Granita

Giada De Laurentiis

Makes six servings.

2 cups cranberry juice

1/3 cup sugar

¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ cup vodka

6 fresh cranberries for garnish

Whisk the cranberry juice and sugar in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. Pour the cranberry mixture into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Cool completely. Whisk in the lime juice and vodka. Freeze until the granita becomes slushy, about 2 hours. Using fork, stir to blend. Continue freezing the granita until frozen, stirring every hour to form crystals, at least 5 hours or overnight.

Divide the granita among 6 dessert glasses. Garnish with fresh cranberries, if desired, and serve.

Smell

The smell of sunscreen is synonymous with summer and vacation. And, if you're going to be outside, it's a must. Apply it frequently and don't forget the sunscreen lip balm. Sunburnt lips swell and are painfully uncomfortable.

Want to smell the ocean or boardwalk without leaving your backyard? Simple! Just light a candle. The Yankee Candle Company's creative scents have you covered. Candles like Sun & Sand, Vanilla Lime, Beach Vacation, Beach Walk, Coconut Bay and Island Spa will have you relaxed and in a vacation frame of mind in no time. Don't want to light a candle? Try a reed diffuser. Same scents, no flame.

Sound

Play some great tunes while you're relaxing with a granita & watching the kids play in the sprinkler. Caribbean-inspired music is an obvious choice. Or, peruse iTune's selection of nature sounds to really bring the beach to your backyard.

One thing you do not want to hear is the ringing of the phone. Mute the house phone and turn the cell phone off, if only for the day. Also consider an away message for your email.

Touch

If you have a pool in your backyard, you're one step ahead of those of us who don't. No pool? No problem!

Turn on the sprinkler for the kids and they'll squeal with joy. You'll smile to yourself as you watch their carefree spirits and listen to their excited laughter.

Just because you don't want to run through the sprinkler doesn't mean you have to suffer in the summer heat. Attach a watering tool to the hose, adjust it to the mist setting, prop it in a nearby tree and bask in cool glory. Ahhhhh.

See how easy it is to create a memorable staycation? It's all in the details. It's simple, inexpensive and fun, too. What's not to like?!? Now, use your five senses and go create your own staycation experience!