We're all feeling this stupid recession, but that is no reason to scrap the girlfriend getaway altogether.  What we advocate is a good old-fashioned slumber party with your girlfriends!

(Ed. apologies for the Victoria's Secret models as the pajama party girlfriends.  We just really loved all the different jammies!)

We won't call it a "staycation", because that is a made-up word.  And we didn't make it up.  Has anyone else noticed that spell-check recommends "starvation" in place of "staycation"?  Coincidence?  We think not.

So, rather than starving yourselves with a girlfriend getaway embargo, go ahead and indulge in a full-on, pull-out-all-the-stops slumber party. 

Remember when times were simpler?  When you didn't have kids, a mortgage, health insurance payments?  When the most important thing you had to worry about was whether or not your family knew where you kept your diary hidden?  Let's go back to that time, shall we?  Make sure everyone checks their cell phones, iPhones, Blackberrys, and Treos at the door.

WHEN:  Pick a Saturday night - we are all too tired on Fridays from the work-week - and pick a "volunteer" to host the party.  Said volunteer should be whichever friend has the best house or condo.  We're thinking hot tub, giant plasma TV, fully loaded fridge.

DRESS:  Pajamas are mandatory, and you can even hold a "best PJs" contest.  Don't hold back; fuzzy slippers, sleeping mask, etc.

MOVIES:  You can go old school with the entertainment and rent movies you watched when you were a kid ("Grease", "Sixteen Candles") , OR get a taste of today's tween insanity and test out High School Musicals 1 & 2 or anything Hannah Montana related.

GAMES:  Who still has a Ouija board?  Bring it.  Magic 8 ball, Simon, Light-as-a-feather-stiff-as-a-board,"Cootie Catcher", (known in more sophisticated circles as origami fortune teller):

EATS:  You should make snacks that you would normally avoid: 

Puppy Chow:

9    cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1    cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2    cup peanut butter
1/4    cup butter or margarine
1    teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2    cups powdered sugar
Tips
Substitution
Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.
Preparation Directions
1.    Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2.    In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3.    Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

Remember to give yourself a free pass for anything consumed at the slumber party.  Guilt is for grown-ups.   Enjoy yourselves, and your girlfriends, and just for one night really remember what it was like to be young and responsibility free!

*To really add to the authenticity of the slumber party, you may hire an older woman to sit in another room and periodically yell out "You kids keep it down!"  Pay her a little extra to clean up after everyone the next morning.