A New Way to Think About Your Vacation Time

Plan it out ahead of time to make the most of it. Yes, even now.

Photo illustration; Image sources: C Squared Studios/RICHARD EDEN/Getty Images

In late 2019, I got an idea: I would plan the entire next year’s vacations at once.

There were a few reasons I thought this was a brilliant approach. First, my husband and I could block the same dates that our kids weren’t in school, so all our days off would coordinate. Second, it allowed for better interfamily PR; the ski faction wouldn’t grumble about spring break beach plans, since they knew we had a booking in Colorado over Christmas. And finally, research finds that anticipation accounts for the bulk of the happiness associated with any vacation — so planning far ahead meant we would have a lot to look forward to in 2020.

By thinking of the year holistically, and then managing your “portfolio” of vacation time, you can maximize your enjoyment, whatever life dishes up.

Make the Plan Even If You Know It Won’t Happen

Look at the whole year at once