4 All-Around Fun Ideas for Your Next Staycation

You know what’s not closed during the COVID pandemic? The great outdoors. Smart companies such as REI long ago circulated the hashtag #OptOutside. There’s nothing more thrilling than getting a box full of gear with the #OptOutside label on it.

Of course, many outdoor adventures call for you to swap out your family jewels for something simpler — like a simple but classic gold, white gold or sterling silver band (if you are married). If you’re new to hitting the hiking or biking trails, or to exercising outdoors, you should know that hands (and feet) tend to swell. Many people have been unable to remove their wedding rings from their ring fingers once the outdoor adventure has ended. So, be prepared and plan ahead with the proper jewelry or lack thereof.

How safe are the outdoors? The New York Times recently asked. While they’re not perfect, they’re certainly safer than socializing indoors. So, if you must gather somewhere, consider a local outdoor attraction. This can range from theme parks to beaches to lakes and rivers (depending on your comfort level and whether or not they are open to the public). As we’re sure you’ve seen, many local Floridians are still enjoying staycations at Disney World in Orlando, some guests even reporting that they feel safer at Disney than they do at their local grocery store. So, for your next staycation, sit down and make a list of local attractions that attract you, and make a plan to venture out while being properly socially distanced. What’s in your area that you’ve never explored? Or, what’s worth repeating? Go out and do it.

Not the outdoor adventure and exercise type? That’s okay. The idea behind the staycation is that it has something for everyone. Spa days, of course, involve leaving your cell phones in the “locker.” So, make a place to dump your silenced cell phone for a period of time, and don’t return to it. A spa-day staycation has one purpose: rest and relaxation.

Thankfully, during the COVID pandemic, many traditional spa activities can take the form of DIY (do it yourself). Are you a person who enjoys a good massage regularly? You might consider buying a shiatsu and letting this little machine give you a massage from the comfort of your own couch. If getting a great facial is your thing, consider spending a little more on a skin care product line and taking the five steps that make a facial great (cleansing, steaming,
massaging, peeling and moisturizing). Don’t, of course, forget to leave your fine jewelry in the locker, along with your buzzing cell phone. The point is to relax and not worry about valuables or work projects.

If you’re more of the artistic type, consider spending your staycation playing some romantic music that reminds you of a distant culture or inspires you to design and imagine. This will be background music for your survey of family heirlooms and jewelry. What inspires you in your collection? What bores you? What has the potential to become something else? Maybe create a dream board of jewelry designs that you love on Pinterest, or spend some time hand sketching new designs and ideas for jewelry that are in your possession.