Staycations are cheap and relaxing

People in the UK can save themselves some cash while still enjoying their time off work by staying at home, it has been suggested.

Hiring a cook or cleaner will be much cheaper than going on holiday and removes some of the daily chores, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper has been examining the merits of a "staycation" and suggests holidaying at home provides an ideal opportunity to create a theme in the garden, such as oriental or medieval.

Green-fingered staycationers can also use the time to plant a useful kitchen garden or fill the greenhouse with fruit plants.

Those who prefer a lively time may also wish to invite friends and family over for a barbecue, the publication states.

In the 1950s, Americans donned Hawaiian shirts during their time off work to help promote a feeling of relaxation and the newspaper suggests UK staycationers can evoke similar feelings by wearing their holiday clothes.

While a staycation may be an ideal way to deal with the recession, the Royal Horticultural Society is set to showcase three "credit crunch gardens" at its Chelsea Flower Show in May, where visitors can pick up tips about ethical growing on the cheap.