Hello. Would you like a free Xbox? Yes, I thought you might.
I’m partnering with Xbox to do a giveaway around the theme of “staycations.” The idea is that we should stop waiting for some distant day when we have the time and money to “get away,” and start having fun now, right where we are. By playing video games, for example. Up for grabs is two packages for two winners. It’s $500 worth of good stuff:
-An Xbox console
-Three Family Fun Games
-A Gold Subscription to Xbox for a year
For more about the rules, read the italicized bits at the bottom of this post, but the gist is this: Leave a comment about your plan for your perfect day at home, and you’ll be entered to win. Here’s mine:
Snacks and Chick Flicks that Don’t Suck
The best days are days that don’t require pants. This is why I became a writer.
My perfect day at home is all about pajamas, movies, and snacks. As a woman, I prefer movies with women in them, and I particularly enjoy it when those women have speaking roles. (Hollywood, take note! Female audiences are fickle.) If you have a free day, allow me to lay out your gluttonous movie fest:
Breakfast with a plucky Reese Witherspoon. It’s hard to resist a smart movie about high school politics where Ferris Bueller plays the teacher. This movie pairs well with bite-sized waffles.
Bacon and He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. It’s in French, so get to it early while your synapses are still firing. Amelie aside, this is my favorite Audrey Tatou movie. I would prefer you not know anything else about it before you watch it. Please obtain a copy. And some bacon.
Make some hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows and settle in for a play. I’ll watch anything with Julianne Moore; the woman has excellent taste in scripts. (We’re all just going to pretend Safe never happened.) The Vanya on 42nd St. plot synopsis explains it all: “New York actors rehearse Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” in a rundown theater.” It is arty.
Speaking of arty, have a little olive oil popcorn with your Parker Posey. I love House of Yes for its stilted, whip-smart dialogue. Plus, Tori Spelling in surprising turn as “not bad at playing that guy’s girlfriend.”
Olive oil popcorn and Maggie Gyllenhaal in heat. If you haven’t seen it, I don’t want to ruin it — though the movie poster pretty much says it all. Let’s just say Secretary is about power dynamics.
Sundae bar with fresh whipped cream, spicy hot caramel sauce, and slivered almonds, plus Kicking and Screaming. We’ve talked about this before. Noah Baumbach? Call me.
That’s my ultimate day at home. I’m beginning to wonder why I haven’t made this happen yet. Now your turn! Outline your day in comments, or tell me what would make your movie-day lineup if you were plotting a day like mine.
But wait! This is the contest fine print. Here’s how the giveaway works: You must be 18 or over to enter and live in the U.S. I’ll pick two commenters as potential winners (to be verified by ePrize). Please include your perfect day at home in your comment, and multiple entries will be disqualified. Comments will be open until tomorrow December 9, 2009 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Winners will be chosen randomly using Random.org, and announced on Friday, December 11. Good luck! Read the official rules here
Mighty Girl 
wine, books, chocolate, naps = not a worry in the world
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I think I might like staycations better than vacations. Everything I need is right here. My perfect staycation:
Waking up without an alarm, breakfast in bed with my husband, playing in the snow, sitting by the fire, cats on the lap. We’d stay busy all day reading, knitting (me), drinking wine, watching the whole series of the British version of The Office, and playing our new XBox, of course.
There would also be some excellent food and chocolate involved.
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Breakfast (french toast, bacon, and mimosas) with Sense & Sensibility (1995).
Then pizza with pineapple and feta cheese with Cherry Coke for lunch along with Little Women (1994).
Maybe a couple episodes of Farscape or Veronica Mars in the afternoon.
V for Vendetta with takeout Mexican for dinner, with a couple of cocktails.
And end the day with ice cream and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog.
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My ultimate staycation is spending a whole day at home with my fiance, uninterruped by the outside world. We just don’t get to spend enough time together, so my idea of a wonderful staycation is any time we get to spend together. I love him!
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oh, you know that a really wonderful staycation for me would include a pile of books, some cozy quilts, some wine in the evening, all shared with my husband…my two kiddos would be near-by, but would have a really fun babysitter to attend to them while I tuck into my reading! bliss!
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Late sleep in, a warm and snuggly tussle with the husband. With the teenager, put together some stew to simmer all day. Then the 3 of us snuggle down to read our book together (I read aloud, they lounge about – currently reading I am the Messenger). The cats pile on, too.
Later some friends come over and share a bowl of stew and we all just lounge around, talking and drinking and laughing.
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My perfect staycation would be sleeping in, enjoying my morning coffee, and taking the dogs out for a mellow stroll in the foothills by my house. Any day without a schedule or a list of obligations is my idea of a perfect day!
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Oh, staycation, how lovely! Mine would involve board games, movies, and great food (preferably magical zero calorie food). I think we’d go with a nice, decadent breakfast followed by a round of scrabble. Then, some sort of classic enjoyment movies (it’s been awhile since I had a Star Wars viewing). Friends would come over to help us play more games — cranium, munchkin, and more. Then more movies, and finish it up with rockband.
Oooh, and the food. I can’t even imagine how great the food would be. champagne or wine should be involved.
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3-course breakfast: perhaps migas, apple crisp, tea, and more migas
A cool swim at our building’s pool for a sense of accomplishment before settling in to watch movies (like Kicking and Screaming! love it!)…
Window-shopping online for shoes, and maybe look around online for the next vacation idea (Machu Picchu? Galapagos?), and get lovely and presentable in time to go out for indian food.
Already wishing I had the day off to do it!
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I would wake up to a clean organized house after 10 hours of sound sleep.
I would wake up to no morning sickness and feast on chocolate chip pancakes and OJ that doesn’t give me heart burn.
My all day morning sickness that has been plaguing me would be miraculously absent for the day.
My boys would spend the day with the Grandparents.
I would get the house to myself to watch all my favorite guilty pleasure shows and movies.
My husband would bring the kids home POTTY TRAINED, clean, belly’s filled and in their PJs. We would have family bedtime stories and I would get to pick the book! The boys would go to bed with out a fuss.
My husband and I would eat a nice dinner and I would have a glass of wine with out feeling guilty!
After watching a movies together I would retire to bed where I would read myself to sleep.
That would be my perfect staycation day at home!
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The perfect staycation would include making corn chowder soup, comfy pants, dr pepper on ice and a long playlist of movies on my DVR some of which are family movies we can all watch together. Can’t wait to watch The Hangover with my husband (and NOT the kids) and watch the 2nd Night at the Museum movie WITH the kids.
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My staycation would involve Wisconsin Mac & Cheese from Noodles & Company, a bottle of Three Olives Triple Shot Espresso Vodka, pink fuzzy slipper socks, and an America’s Next Top Model marathon. Preferably one of the earlier cycles, like Danielle’s or Caridee’s.
I’ll also admit to a Hot Pocket being added to the mix at some point.
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Any day that involves not working sounds swell, but a perfect staycation would include: someone to cook and clean for me, sunshine and trees to walk under, a pile of blankets, plate of freshly baked cookies, and stack of romantic comedies.
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Looking forward to a slothful day or two over the holidays that will include: a decadent breakfast; a marathon of “The Wire”; pjs all day; homemade pizza; Schlafly APA all with my boyfriend at my side. Out of my control, but also desired, this would all occurred while snowed in. Thus, alleviating any possible guilt of not getting out and about and doing something! An xbox would make it that much more fun.
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Hmmm…perfect stay at home vacation? Are you taking the children? I’d love a pile of books, girl movies, hot chocolate – cuz its freezing here – and just one day without the kids or worrying about the kids.
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Perfect Staycation (all with husband as partner in crime): Sleep ’till 9:30. Early brunch (eggs, fruit, coffee, raisin english muffin). Then Sofa Time for Media Glut: newspaper, magazines, books, TV, movies. 3:00 shower, brush teeth. Tidy home and prepare for: Cocktail time with extensive hors d’oeuvres lasting into and past dinner time. Pinkberry. Brush teeth. Bed.
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Staying in bed all day, pajamas, movie marathons or Mad Men marathons, lots of coffee, knitting, breakfast at noon, and delicious soup simmering in the kitchen for dinner!
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A cold, rainy day…a big bowl of mac and cheese and an Izze fizzy pomegranate beverage followed by dark chocolate confectionaries…and watching the series Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks in their entirety.
Also, my husband does an annual Oscar night dinner with five courses, each one representing each of the nominated films. That’s also an excellent eating/movie combo for me.
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My perfect staycation would include a perfectly sunny day wandering around the park and around the city with my camera.
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i suppose my perfect staycation should include my husband, and maybe it does, but my second perfect staycation involves me and a magically fully stocked craft supply closet, my sewing machine, and enough creativity to churn out 3 queen-size quilts, not because i have a gift-giving deadline but because i simply have so much fabric and so much creative juices and so much free time. oh, here’s where the husband comes in – he can feed me and supply me with wine every 3-4 hours, or as needed.
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Any perfect movie day MUST include the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice! (You know, the perfect Colin Firth version?)
And while I’m at it, let’s just make it a Jane Austen movie day – those are the best! I will include Sense & Sensibility (Emma Thompson), Emma (hard to choose between Gweneth Paltrow and Kate Beckinsdale – both are great!) and maybe the Jonny Lee Miller version of Mansfield Park, because he plays a nice Edmund! 🙂
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Great movie picks! “Kicking and Screaming” is the reason I tell my husband I’m not that interested in going to Prague (“Oh, I’ve BEEN to Prague”). The perfect day at home: A terrible snowstorm outside that looks beautiful and also deflects any guilt for not going outside. We would build a fire in the fireplace, watch cheesy comedies like The Jerk and Weird Science and drink hot cocoa in the a.m. & hot whiskey in the p.m. Delivery from our favorite chinese restaurant for lunch and delivery again for dinner. I’d only put my coat on for long enough to take the dog in the back yard and laugh as he played in the snow. I would probably also play Wii, although if I had an Xbox, I would love some Resident Evil!!!
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My perfect day in would include an alarm and cat free wake-up. Followed by 20 minutes of calming and uninterrupted yoga. Breakfast would include several yummy veggie juices. A marathon of Futurama and Arrested Development to get the morning going. Lunch would include a huge specialty salad made by my amazing husband, who is of course included in this fun time at home, and maybe some fresh sweet potatoes. Pete and Pete along with My So Called Life would fill the afternoon with all their teenage angst and glory. If the weather allows a nice long bike ride or walk to the park with our toy poodle would be lovely. Next a break for some quiet reading in our front room that is filled with sun at this time of day. Dinner of herbed or marinated fish with steamed veggies and an omelet of some fashion. Yum! A few glasses of wine, Extras, the BBC’s The Office, and cuddling to follow dinner. Ah, what an amazing day!
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I’m torn between a marathon of movies with ABBA on the soundtrack (Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Muriel’s Wedding, etc.) or a marathon of post-apocalyptic and/or dystopic movies (Blood of Heroes, Dead End Drive-In, etc.). Hmm, maybe I could combine them into a marathon of movies shot in Australia.
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Hmmm mine would involve no alarm clock, a long bath, changing back into pajamas, and reading while curled up by the fire. Maybe with some Christmas music or movies playing in the background. After all, its not Christmas until I’ve see the original Home Alone.
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I think your “staycation” sounds fabulous, can I come?
And I agree that the best days are those that don’t require pants (or shoes!); however, as a teacher, that is typically frowned upon.
Anyway, my staycation would involve food delivery, movies, good wine and/or beer, lots of M&Ms, no pants, a down comforter, and the couch. My husband may be invited, totally depends on my mood.
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My perfect day at home … sleep. Sewing. Making a really really good dinner.
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Great question! I would sleep in a little, go on a bike ride with my husband, take a long bath, eat ice cream for lunch (ok maybe soup since it is cold outside), and spend the afternoon watching movies. A long walk around the neighborhood in the evening and take-out for dinner, followed by a glass of port for dessert. I might have to make this happen over the holidays!
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my perfect staycation: to have my touring musician boyfriend home for a few days between tours, and to just STAY home, STAY off the computer/iphone,etc…he’ll make the coffee the way i never can, we’ll have a big breakfast and talk and catch up and we’ll both remember that the time apart is hard, but it’s worth it to hang in there for the time together 🙂
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the perfect staycation: a beautiful warm and sunny day, brunch outside at my favorite brunch spot, long walk with my husband and pup, picnic lunch, afternoon with my favorite movie of all time (Parent Trap w/ Haley Mills), and small/intimate dinner party at a friend’s house where I don’t have to cook!
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Sending the wee one to visit grandma for the day, reading in bed, crafting galore, long hot bath, glass of wine, naps (plural), and ordering out for dinner.
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My perfect day at home would involve completing some home project (at a leisurely rate, of course) and watching a Christmas movie, with a cup of cider in one hand and a cookie in the other.
My recommendation for a recent chick flick that didn’t suck? Julie & Julia.
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ah, my perfect day at home requires heavy rain outside and the fireplace roaring inside…drinking tea, reading books and blogs, watching movies and knitting with friends.
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Movies, Two Brothers beer, Thai delivery.
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My ultimate staycation would be so similar to yours: snacks, jammies, and never getting up from under a comforter. But I’d like to watch an entire series for the first time from start to finish in a single day. Like “The West Wing.” Mmmmm… Josh & Sam….
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First of all, thank you for planning my Netflix movie line up for the near future.
Second, I chose to be a grad student for similar reasons that you became a writer. Pants with zippers are highly overrated.
Finally, my perfect day at home involves large amounts of coffee, baked goods, and breakfast foods. Also, a season’s worth of a very good TV show’s DVDs and my boyfriend to cuddle with on the couch.
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Wine, sushi, and yeah…anything with Parker Posey. Have you seen Broken English? Gets me every single time.
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I would definitely sleep in, then lay in bed most of the day watching movies and daytime TV. I would also take a trip to some boutiques I have been wanting to check out, but just haven’t had the time. Oh, and happy hour…I would fit that in too!
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afternoon sex
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My perfect movie day would be a Wes Anderson fest, in chronological order:
1. Bottle Rocket
2. Rushmore
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
4. The Life Aquatic
5. The Darjeeling Limited
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox
I believe Mr. Anderson gets better with age.
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Perfect staycation: I would be alone and asleep.
But if awake, it would be me, my camera and lots of local photowalks.
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I’d have to have brunch out so that the amazing cleaning service I hired could come in and make my house look and smell good. Then, I think I’d want to indulge in a movie party with pals. (I’d need a good theme, like satirical murder mysteries, or movies about parties.) I wouldn’t want it to be during the winter, though—it would have to be during the summer so that people could grill, throw water balloons, blow bubbles or play mini-golf in the yard in between movies.
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I 100% second the necessity of no pants days. I am as anti-pants as Lady Gaga (but I’m probably a lot more pro-comfort than she). My perfect staycation involves my best friend bring over brunch (eggs benedict, roasted asparagus, pitcher of mimosas) while we begin our Arrested Development marathon. We might take a break around lunch time to each some chocolate. We might also take another break in the late afternoon for garlicky baked brie and wine. Other than that, it’s just me and my best friend and Arrested Development on DVD. ALL. DAY. LONG.
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Perfect day includes:
Playing video games with the boyfriend.
Burritos for dinner!
Heading to our bar that has boardgames to play Battleship and Scrabble.
Lots and lots of snuggling.
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Sleeping in…a stupendous breakfast in pj’s (papas con huevos y frijoles!)…brisk & sunny day for heading outdoors w/ the kidlets & bassets…picture taking (polaroid FTW!) throughout the day…a scrumptious dinner and a great wine…movies by the fire with the wife and kidlets…end with some real fireworks in the bedroom.
Thank you.
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Cold outside (preferably snow), warm inside. Fire in fireplace. Lots of good books and wine. Done.
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Since I am currently 6 months pregnant and living in a different state then my husband, my perfect staycation would be some quality time with the husband. We could just be lazy and hang out all day.
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I would sleep late, have breakfast in bed, and then watch movies until I fell back to sleep. Then I would curl up with a good book, hot tea, and some popcorn.
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