Summer NOT on Holiday Challenge: Getting Ready

This weekend is an optional exercise to get an extra bit ‘holiday ready’ before the full 4-weekend long challenge begins. Join in if you feel like getting ahead.

What does ‘getting holiday ready’ mean to you?

We all have our own favourite things about having time off, and being away on holiday.

Be honest with yourself here. What are your absolute favourite things about being on holiday? Try making a very quick list off the top of your head, then narrow it down to your top three or four favourites.

Need a hint? For example, your list could include:

• Going somewhere new
• Trying local food
• Sightseeing
• A nice hotel room
• Walking on a beach or in the hills
• A chance to completely switch off
• Being at a festival
• Sunbathing
• Wearing fun clothes
• Lying by the pool, or swimming
• Catching up on some reading
• Time with friends or loved ones
• Trying fun activities
• Going to the hotel spa
• Long lie-ins
• Breakfast in bed

I’m sure you can think of many more ideas of your own here too.

Once you’ve picked out your top priorities, let’s move on the the preparations and tailor them to your preferences.

The getting ‘holiday ready’ schedule

Now it’s time to run through four main areas where you might like to do a little prepping:

• Home (including the fridge)
• Pampering / prepping yourself
• Your wardrobe
• Making space in your diary

Getting your home ‘staycation ready’

Keeping your priorities in mind, decide on a few things to do to bring that holiday feeling into your home.

For example, you could clear away everyday clutter, arrange some fresh flowers in a nice vase, or put your nicest sheets on the bed. Think ‘hotel’ or beach hut, spa, or whatever else you like best.

You might also want to tidy up the fridge and fill it with your favourite food and drink for easy eats. Stock up the freezer too, maybe treat yourself to some ice cream or sorbet, or whatever you like when you’re on holiday.

Home fragrance is another way to remind yourself of fancy hotels, the beach, lakes and forests, or a tropical island. I particularly like reed diffusers for this, or a nice room spray for a quick spritz.

For designer-style scents that are more affordable, try department store own-brand ranges. Some of the best ones can be found at M&S home (particularly the bestselling Calm range) and Dunelm (try The Edited Life collection shown above if you like apothecary or spa type scents) with prices from £6.00.

Getting yourself holiday ready

If you like to pamper yourself or smarten up your appearance before going away on holiday, try a few of these ideas during the week before the challenge starts:

• Book in for a haircut or other beauty services
• Deep condition your hair
• Body scrub, exfoliate
• Moisturise all over
• Put some fake tan on
• Do a face mask or sheet mask
• Manicure and pedicure

Most of us have products like this sitting on a shelf or in a cupboard, and you might as well use them up. No point keeping them for best once they’ve been opened.

If you’re looking for a new self tan for the face, I really love the new-ish Tanologist Sensitive tanning mist (find at Superdrug and Beauty Bay). It gives pale skin a light glow, is fragrance free and hydrating, and won’t block pores.

Best of all, the face mist turns up regularly in offers, so I buy it when it’s discounted. The 100ml bottle also lasts for ages, just apply with a curved face and body brush for the best results (above, also excellent for applying fake tan to the back of hands).

I’m also a fan of using a gradual tanning product for the body, so it doesn’t look overdone. The current favourite at Golightly Gardens is Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk (good value big pump-top 500ml bottle), and the excellent matching applicator mitt (washable) for a streak-free finish.

Getting your wardrobe holiday ready

If you have time, sort out some weekend outfits before the challenge starts. If in doubt, think about what you might pack for a city break, because we’ll be doing some sightseeing in the UK.

And speaking of the UK, we all know that the weather can be unpredictable so make sure you choose items to see you through rain and sunshine.

Group those ‘capsule wardrobe’ clothes together so they’re easy to get hold of, and you can just throw them on in the morning. If you need a few basics to make your outfits work, I think Uniqlo is one of the best places for a one-stop shop (and you might find something on offer or in the sale).

And of course the good news here: no need to worry about packing anything into your suitcase!

Getting your free time ringfenced

Now’s the time to do a quick diary check to see how your weekends are looking for the next few weeks. The aim here is to get as much free ‘on holiday’ time as possible on Saturdays and Sundays.

Take note of anything you already have scheduled, and decide how you’re going to work around any important obligations. Real life happens, of course, so you might bundle a few chores and get them out of the way, say, for an hour on Sunday night before work on Monday.

Now deliberately schedule in your leisure time around those classes, meetings, birthday parties and so on. Block it out in your diary so you remember to make the most of it.

Holiday mode: ACTIVATE!

Enjoying this post? You may also like:

• The Summer ‘NOT on Holiday’ Challenge: The Rules
• The Summer ‘NOT on Holiday’ Challenge Week 1: Food & Drink
• The Summer ‘NOT on Holiday’ Challenge Week 2: Go Sightseeing
• The Summer ‘NOT on Holiday’ Challenge Week 3: Spa / Adventure
• The Summer ‘NOT on Holiday’ Challenge Week 4: Relax by the Pool
• All recent challenges articles

So there we have it. Do you fancy pampering yourself a little over the next few days?