Being home and still having a Snapchat-worthy spring break

The media would have us think that, to have a "real" spring break, you've got to go someplace tropical, someplace that has a killer party scene. You need to spend your week lying on the beach during the day and then, when the sun goes down, partying like it's 1999 U2 is coming for spring weekend again. But maybe you can't afford plane tickets to any place where temperatures will breach 65°F,  or your parents used free, home-cooked meals to bribe you to come home, or you just didn't plan ahead. You're worried you won't be "doing spring break right" (even if Netflix and a whole week of potatoing on the couch is infinitely more appealing). What's more, you're stressing because you're friends are going to Puerto Rico, Cancun, or Costa Rica, and you don't know how you're going to compete with their awesome stories when everyone returns. Don't worry, the Blognonian's got you covered! Follow these tips for a homemade spring break and--trust me--you will have photos (and stories) to share.1. Grab your towel, sunglasses, and bathing suit; then find the brightest room in your houseThink there's no way to tan (or look like you're tanning)? Think again! All you need to do is to get beach-ready, then set your towel down in whichever room's lights are most likely to blind someone (it's best if you do this in the middle of the day, when the sun is out). Take Snapchats with your sunglasses on, and you're set. Who'll be able to tell the difference?2. Invest in a bunch of those mini umbrellasRemember those colorful umbrellas that adorned every Shirley Temple you ever ordered when you were a kid? Well, apparently they're often called "cocktail parasols." Whatever the name, it's time to bring them back. Mix a drink (or don't; you could honestly just use cranberry juice), put it in your mom's best margarita glass, decorate it with parasols, and take a picture. Add slices of strawberries or pineapples for bonus points.3. Speaking of drinks...You don't need to be on vacation to indulge in delicious Mai Tais and Pina Coladas. Make them at home!4. Go for a dipI hear you: you live a tad too close to Canada for comfort, and you can swim comfortably during just two of the year's twelve months. March is not one of them. But there is a way: those inflatable swimming pools? Waaaaay underrated. See if you can dig up the one your parents used when you were a kid and they didn't feel like trekking over to the beach. Crank up the heat in your house so that the weather feels à tropicale, and blow up that tiny swimming pool! If you angle the camera just so, you might even hide the fact that you're sitting in a Disney princess-themed bubble.5. Throw a wild party...We all know Brown's spring break is later than almost any other school's, so chances are that few, if any, of your friends will be home next week. But there is a solution! Anyone who's home is probably in the same boat--don't hesitate to text that classmate you haven't spoken to since French class sophomore year, or the friend of a friend of a friend whom you can only call an acquaintance. You can even use Tinder to "meet new people" if you're really desperate for attendees.* Invite this motley crew over for a "spring break-esque" shindig. Even if you find only five party-goers, there's nothing to worry about! You can all cram into the smallest room in your house for a brief moment, dim the lights, play loud music, and take a Snapchat that makes it look like you're at a crazy party.*User discretion is advised.6. ...or don't throw a wild partyLet's face it--I'm lazy, too. Definitely not crazy about having people I hardly know over to my house. There is also the worry about those fabulous parental units. So I give you an alternative: you don't need to party at all. Just gather a bunch of empty beer cans and red solo cups and scatter them all over your living room. Take a picture with the caption, "I don't remember annyyything," or "what happened?"7. Make everybody jealous by just doing youDon't really feel like keeping up an elaborate façade? I assure you that spring-breakers are incredibly jealous of the amount of time you're sleeping, the food you're eating, and the movies you're watching. Just send them photos of your leisurely days. Be like: "Look at how comfy that couch is!" or, "OMG, we have a giant layer cake for dessert!" or, "The view couldn't be better--Chris Pine on the big screen!" They'll start to question who's really having the better break.Images via