National Plan For Vacation Day 2025
I love the random holidays that we never knew about. National Donut Day, National Watermelon Day, National Twin Day (a favorite around here) - they all give us an opportunity to celebrate a normal day as if it weren’t just that. So today is National Plan For Vacation Day. Yep, it’s a thing. It’s common knowledge that American’s are throwing away unused vacation days. My own dad had an extra week leftover a few years ago that he didn’t even know about! How does that happen? Bad planning.
So grab out those calendars, FaceTime your family or friends, dig out your bucket lists and get planning!
Take These Days Off to Maximize Your PTO in 2025
Planning ahead is key to making the most of your paid time off (PTO) in 2025. With a little strategic scheduling, you can enjoy extended breaks throughout the year. Here are some ideal days to take off for the best use of your PTO:
• January 20 & 21 (4 Days Off)
• February 14 (4 Days Off)
• May 23 (4 Days Off)
• June 20 (4 Days Off)
• July 3 & 7 (4 Days Off)
• August 29 & September 2 (5 Days Off)
• October 10 (4 Days Off)
• November 7 & 10 (5 Days Off)
• November 24-26 & 28 (9 Days Off)
• December 22-24, 26, 29-31 (13 Days Off)
By strategically taking these days off, you can enjoy long weekends and even extended vacations, all while conserving your PTO for when you truly need it. Start planning now and make the most of your time off this year!
Strategic Planning Tips for Making the Most of Your Time Off
Here are some of my favorite tips for strategically planning your time off in 2025:
1. Bring All Your Calendars Together: Whether it’s work, school, camp schedules, or other commitments, have everything in one place from the start to avoid conflicts down the road.
2. Plan Around Holidays: Pay attention to the timing of holidays. For example, Memorial Day is early this year, and Labor Day is late. Many people won’t realize this or may plan their time off incorrectly. Get ahead of the crowd and lock in your plans early!
3. Don’t Wait for Summer: Fall can be a great time for unexpected adventures. Does your child have a random day off in October? Take advantage of it! Fall camping is amazing. If they’re off for Columbus Day, consider taking a long weekend and knocking out your holiday shopping in a big city like New York or Minneapolis—bonus points if you finish your gift list before December!
4. Maximize Long Weekends: Use your paid vacation days wisely. If a holiday falls on a weekend, your employer might offer you Friday or Monday off. Add an extra day to either side, and you’ve got a four-day weekend for just one vacation day. Plus, consider traveling to warm destinations—prices are often lower when the weather is hot.
5. Plan a Staycation: If 2025 is your year to save money or pay off debt, don’t underestimate the power of a staycation. It’s one of my favorite challenges—finding creative ways to enjoy a break without leaving town. Challenge yourself to make it fun and memorable!
6. Start with Priorities: If you’re feeling unsure about where to go or when, focus on the most urgent aspects first. Need to lock in vacation days with your employer before everyone else? Do that, then choose the destination. Or, if saving up for a trip is more important, create a budget plan. If your experience matters more than the timeline, consider traveling during the off-season to save.
7. Think Mini-Vacations: Are you more energized by a week-long beach trip, or would you prefer multiple shorter getaways? Five three-day weekends can be just as fulfilling as one long vacation. Think outside the box to plan the time off that works best for you.
No matter how you approach it, the key is to make time for yourself. Take those vacation days! Explore the world, connect with amazing people, and create memories. As the old saying goes, no one ever regrets taking more vacation days.
Today is also National Draw a Dinosaur Day, National Croissant Day, National Escape Day, and Yodel for Your Neighbors Day. So celebrate anything today. You’re welcome.
Share with me your favorite vacation planning ideas or your favorite vacation down below. I would love to hear from you!
P.S. Thanks to US Travel for use of their campaign graphics for this day. If you want some fantastic resources for vacation planning check out their website.
