By now, you're probably acquainted with the beginning-to-get-tired term "staycation."
Making use of local parks, engaging in recreational activities and embarking on backyard camp-outs are excellent, low-CO2 alternatives to traveling during summer. But during the winter months, when cabin fever sets in, you might end up cursing yourself for not booking that trip to Maui.
If you plan on sticking close to home during the holidays, it helps to plan ahead so you don't end up spending your time off re-enacting scenes from "The Shining" or counting down the minutes until your holiday is over.
Here are eight ways to make good, green use of your free time if you're voluntarily housebound. These are activities that you'll probably thank yourself later for doing.
Perform energy-efficient home improvements: Now that "cash for caulkers" is one step closer to becoming a reality, it's an opportune time to embark on home improvements that will lower your utility bills and your carbon footprint. Support your local green job force by hiring a home energy auditing team to inspect your abode. It could be an enlightening daylong diversion. If you already know the problem areas around your home, perform low-cost DIY weatherization projects like caulking, placing shrink wrap plastic over drafty windows, installing foam outlet gaskets or making a homemade draft stopper.
Read a book: Lounging while everyone else is behind the wheel or freaking out at the airport is a primo excuse to catch up on reading. Some recommended green home-and-garden-themed titles published this year: "Architecture in Times of Need," "Eco House Book," "Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home," "Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies," "PreFab Green," "Super Natural Home" and "Green: Architecture Now!"
Watch a movie: While heading out (preferably via public transportation) to your local multiplex is always an option, why not stick around the house and cozy up with a green film that you've been meaning to see but haven't had the chance to watch? Check out "Food, Inc." or "No Impact Man," among others. Or if you'd like a good holiday scare, try an animal-themed horror film such as "The Birds" or "Open Water," or one featuring homicidal plants like "The Ruins" or "The Happening."
Indulge the kids: Lure the little ones away from the Wii for a hot minute (or couple of hours) and plan a fun family activity that involves creative crafting, eco-education, recycling and energy conservation tutorials.
MNN.com blogger Jenn Savedge suggests that you teach your child to respect other people's traditions and cherish his own with her guide to multicultural winter celebrations: www.mnn.com/family/holiday/blogs/multicultural-winter-holiday-celebration s.
Clean house: Is your home a perpetual sty? Go on a daylong cleaning rampage. Try natural cleaning and laundering products such as 20 Mule Team Borax, Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda and white vinegar.
Reintroduce yourself to the kitchen: Even if you aren't a culinary genius, why not take advantage of a staycation by trying out some new recipes that you've been meaning to tackle? Eating Well magazine, among others, features seasonal recipes. And you could try a local and/or organic ingredient-based meal.
Paint the house green: Painting a single room involves not only paint time but significant commitment to prep and clean up. With your free time, why not give two rooms a makeover using low-emissions paints such as Natura from Benjamin Moore?
Go treasure hunting: Visiting flea markets, estate sales and antique stores in search of furniture and home accessories cannot be a harried experience. You need ample time to peruse before finding a diamond in the rough.
