Articles from December 2010

The holiday season is here and there is much to do— people to see and places to go. With the chaos the holidays can bring, it’s imperative to stay organized or we run the risk of “holiday burn out.” So just how do we stay organized during this time? We must be willing to take an honest look at our schedules and prioritize. Here are our top tips for staying organized and keeping it all together during the busiest time of year!

Before grocery shopping break down your list by aisle or section of the store (produce, refrigerated, condiments, etc). This way you’ll only have to go to the grocery store once or twice. You don’t want to waste time in a crowded store, running back and forth between aisles.

Creating a timeline of all the food you cook will help you know what can be made ahead of time and what needs to be prepared the day of.

Set dishes and bowls out you plan to use a few days early so you’re aware of what you have and what you will need. Take a post it note and label which dish you intend to use it for (i.e., turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes). Set the table early, having out all glasses and flatware you intend to use is a good visual. You want to make sure you have all of these items handy, cleaned, and ready.

Make sure all areas of the house where guests will be are organized. Have fresh bathroom towels and full soap dispenser.  Always have a couple of extra rolls of toilet paper in a visible location so when you run out your guests can find it without having to ask.

It is also important to have our finances organized at this time. Always create a reasonable budget and set a price on how much you are going to spend for presents and parties and stay within that budget.

Enlist the help of family and friends. Don’t be afraid to let it be known that their help is much appreciated!

Last, but certainly not least, make sure you prioritize time for yourself. It is good to snuggle up with a good book or to a good movie during this time and just relax! Being and staying organized is first a mental attitude. It has to be planted in our minds and in our hearts before we can display organized behavior!

Have a safe and Deluxe holiday!

Have a gleeful holiday season at the Bronx Zoo this December and don’t miss the first-ever SING! for Wildlife Competition, December 18th, 28th, 29th and 30th.

Witness New York City’s high school choruses battle it out to win BEST of NYC along with cash prizes and a special live concert at Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Watch the excitement at the final competition on December 30th when celebrity judges from the cast of Green Day’s American Idiot on Broadway and Darryl McDaniels from Run DMC help decide the winners.

December 27th-30th, enjoy a magical wintry Arctic Playland, carved entirely from ice. Slide down a 25’ long ice slide and walk through ice bergs and tunnels. Ride a stunning ice sculpted Polar Express train, watch ice carving demonstrations and more! It’s the perfect family holiday excursion. Go to Bronxzoo.com for dates and times.