Beating Vacay Anticipation: How?

A  recent article stated: “The anticipation and build-up you give a vacation is the real reason you love them so much.” The actual vacation may be lackluster, but the build-up makes it better.
I constantly build things up in my head. I typically get let down because things don’t go the way I have pictured them in my head. In the last couple months I have really attempted NOT to do the big build-up. I catch myself daydreaming about an event we have coming up, and make myself come “down from the clouds” and get realistic.

We go on our annual summer vacation in a few weeks. I of course am trying not to build it up, but it is so hard not to. And since BTB and I have gotten on the meal planning/not-spending-redonk-amounts-of-money-going-out-eat kick, I am working this week on creating a menu for our beach trip.

 It’s a little harder than normal because I not only have to accommodate BTB’s picky palate, but my in-laws, as well. I am determined to make it work. Last night, BTB and I made our homemade pizzas, for a split second I thought, “how fun would it be if I made dough and then we all made pizzas at the beach?” I quickly snapped myself back to reality before throwing the idea out to BTB. His family would not enjoy this activity.

 I am also trying not to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff to wear to the beach. Because I am notorious for doing this. I always think I need something new for trips. I don’t. I have a closet that is so packed to brim that I can barely walk through it. I am blessed with plenty of clothes. I just have to keep telling myself that!

So my question: How do I keep myself sane for the next few weeks? I am going to want to buy clothes. And  I want to fantasize about all the fun and movieesque times we will have, but I have to force myself to stop. I have to learn to take experiences at face value, but how?