Plan A Staycation For The Holidays. You Can See The Fam Next Year

Crowded airports. Over-the-top airline ticket prices. The threat of having to listen to Christmas carols on continuous loop during an eight-hour car trip. Do the hassles of holiday travel  have you breaking out in hives this holiday season? You're not alone—people the world over are batting down the hatches and staying put this winter, choosing staycations over vacations, even if it means missing out on family time.

House-bound staycationers are using home videos to keep in touch with loved ones. A tiny point-and-shoot camcorder like the Flip Video Ultra ($130) allows you to shoot your live holiday greetings (or covert footage from your office party) and upload them to your computer in a snap via a USB port.

A single candle can make your home smell like a cozy ski lodge at Christmas. We featured our favorites a few weeks ago, one of which is this Leaves Candle from Slatkin & Co. ($22).

Since the best part of a staycation is that you don't have to put forth the effort to go anywhere, indulge in a soft cashmere robe ($230, was $398) and aloe-infused socks (3 for $15) to wear around the house – all week if you desire.