The art of staying put: Making the most of a December staycation

Not everyone is jetting off to a beach house in Plett, a bush lodge in Limpopo, or an Airbnb with an ocean view and an outdoor shower. For many South Africans, December means something far less glamorous: a staycation. 

Whether you’re grounded by finances, work, family commitments, or simply the state of the economy (and your bank balance), staying home doesn’t have to feel like punishment.

In fact, with a little imagination and intention, a staycation can be just as restorative and far more affordable than an actual holiday. No packing, no traffic, no inflated holiday prices, no relatives snoring in the next room.

You can reclaim December joyfully, creatively, and cheaply. Here’s how.
First Rule: Treat It Like a Real Holiday

The biggest mistake people make with staycations is treating them like “normal days at home.”A staycation only feels like a holiday if you declare it one.

So:

• Tell people you’re on holiday even if you’re within a 5km radius of your couch.
• Set an out-of-office message (if possible).
• Do your laundry beforehand.
• Tidy the house so you start with a clean slate.

A mental shift is a budget-friendly secret weapon.

Plan Themes or Mini-Adventures

Give your staycation a sense of excitement by creating themed days. It doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive it just needs to be intentional.

Ideas:

• Spa Day at Home: DIY face masks, long bath, scented candles, zero guilt.
• Nature Day: A walk in a park, botanical garden, nature reserve, or neighbourhood trail.
• Foodie Day: Cook something new, try a local street-food spot, or picnic in your garden.
• Digital Detox Day: No screens. Read, nap, journal, garden.
• Cultural Day: Visit a museum on a free/discount day, explore historical spots, or binge local films.

Mini-adventures trick your brain into feeling like you’ve “gone somewhere” — without needing petrol money.

Turn Your Home into a Retreat (Cheaply)

You don’t need a full renovation. A few small tweaks can completely change the vibe of your space:

• Wash your bedding and add a spritz of linen spray.
• Rearrange your furniture — even a slight change feels fresh.
• Add fairy lights or candles for ambiance.
• Put fresh flowers or greenery in a jar.
• Play soft background music.
• Declutter one room so it feels like a sanctuary.

Your home becomes your “holiday cottage,” without the booking fee.

Explore Your Own City Like a Tourist

We often forget what’s right on our doorstep. Make a list of free or almost-free things around you:

• Public parks
• Art installations
• Sunday markets
• Swimming pools
• Hiking routes
• Window-shopping in interesting neighbourhoods
• Historic districts (Johannesburg has plenty!)
• Libraries
• Local festivals and pop-ups
• Do a Red Bus tour of your city

Tourists arrive with curiosity. You can too, minus the foreign exchange rate.

Enjoy the Simple Luxury of Time

A staycation gives you something money can’t buy: control over your day.

Use it to rediscover slow living:

• Sleep late
• Read the book you’ve had for months
• Bake something
• Spend an hour daydreaming
• Sit with your feet in a bucket of cool water
• Watch the clouds
• Do nothing, truly nothing

Rest is a luxury. And it’s free.
Do One Thing You Never Have Time for During the Year

Most of us have at least one activity we secretly long for but never prioritise.

Your staycation is the perfect moment.

Maybe it’s:

• Painting
• Journalling
• Decluttering a room
• Starting a small garden
• Learning a dance routine
• DIY crafts
• Listening to old albums
• Trying yoga online
• Baking bread

Choose something that feeds your soul, not your productivity.

Add a Budget-Friendly Treat or Two

You don’t need to splurge just add one or two affordable indulgences to mark the season.

Examples:

• A fancy ice cream
• A R40 bouquet
• A bottle of bubbles (on special!)
• A takeaway coffee at your favourite spot
• A second-hand book

A small treat makes the day feel special without giving your budget heart palpitations.

Use Nature as Your Free Holiday Resort

Nature is the best budget therapist. Try:

• Sunset drives
• Morning Park walks
• Picnics under a tree
• Stargazing
• Have lazy afternoon sex
• Listening to the birds
• Watching the storm clouds gather

The world slows down in December. Let yourself slow with it.

Don’t Forget Connection Even If You’re Staying Home

A staycation doesn’t mean isolation. Make gentle, low-pressure plans:

• Coffee with a friend
• A bring-and-share meal
• Joining a community yoga class
• Attending a free outdoor concert
• Visiting neighbours
• Volunteering

As I write this, I know how hard this is in Johannesburg with so few Free Spaces available to us. Please share yours and maybe I’ll see you there. 

These moments anchor you in community even when your bank balance says “stay home.”

Most Important: Redefine What a Holiday Really Is

A holiday is not a destination.It’s a feeling: ease, rest, joy, curiosity, and permission to step out of routine.

You don’t need a beach house to access that.

You can build it in your living room, your local park, your kitchen, your bathtub, your street, your city and most importantly, in your mindset.

Your staycation can be magical, restorative, fun, and grounding.It can be the pause you desperately need without costing more than you can afford.

This December, choose to create joy exactly where you are.