Brainstorming a Good Vacation Spot

So you want to go on vacation - but how do you decide where? This is often one of the biggest problems, and can lead to family infighting. Everybody wants to go someplace else - but you need a way to choose. First, you should decide whether you want to do a "repeat" or not. This will just sort of depend on your personalities - some people like to go to the same place. They enjoyed it, they thought it was fun, and they'd like it to be a "second home" of sorts. Others are interested in finding something new - the point of a vacation for them is to get away from their routines, not start up a new one. Make a family decision and stick with it - everyone should be able to find at least a few places they can enjoy that are either old or new. Second, determine how much money you've got to spend. This will be your limiting factor - you want to go within your budget, and even if someone really wants to go somewhere else, they're going to have to make do with what you've got. Third, let everyone list three places that are their top choices. Talk them over once they are out there - don't let someone get fixed on one place as the only place they want to go, because they'll be disappointed if it's not chosen. Try to find one where everyone can have something fun to do - figure out the interests of everyone in the family, and what they'd like to do on a vacation. Then see which of the places on your family list have the various recreational activities. If you can come to a consensus, then great - everyone will be at least somewhat happy. If not, think about agreeing to go one place this year and another the next.