Kyle, Amanda and I at Rockefeller Center

Walking through Bryant Park!

Watching the ice skaters at Central Park

Bryant Park from across the street.

With the end of 2011, as with the end of most years, comes the beginning of new resolutions. Everyone is promising to change something about their lives. I resolve to lose ten pounds (the same ten pounds I’ve resolved to lose for the last five years). I resolve to save more money…I resolve to travel more…I resolve to read more…more, more, more! I have to wonder, does the uncanny similarity between so many Americans’ resolutions say something greater about us as a society?

I’ll let that marinate while you take a gander at these very creative, quite poignant and pretty comical suggestions for twenty-somethings’ new year’s resolutions:

Borrow some New Year’s Resolutions from the Thought Catalog!

Have you always imagined a winter wedding wonderland for your I do’s? Well, then you are one smart lady and you didn’t even know it did ya?

Venues are typically discounted up to 50% during winter and late summer months. Not to mention, hotel rates can be cheaper (as long as you aren’t looking in late December) and you can save MAJOR bucks on decor! Churches, hotels, banquet halls and virtually any other type of wedding location will already be dressed to the nines in holiday decor, so why not use this to your advantage? Here are a few tips:

1. Before you book a winter wedding, make sure you visit your venue while it is decorated. Plastic Santas and reindeer not your style? Better to find out before you sign on the dotted line!
2. Once you have an idea of what decorations you are working with, find your inspiration. Choose your colors based off your surroundings; if your venue’s decorations are mostly gold and white, incorporate these colors into your wedding palette. If there is a lot of greenery, go with a complementary earth tones. 
3. Candles, candles and more candles. Winter nuptials mean you will likely be saying your vows inside and it will either be dark outside or you’ll have to have an early ceremony. Dim the lights and decorate your aisle and tables with candles of all sizes. You will set a romantic ambiance and save some cash on flowers!
4. Mother nature makes it look pretty, you can too! Look to nature for some inspiration: pine cones, branches and holly can look absolutely gorgeous with a little design work. 
5. Last but not least, if you are a January bride, get yourself to the craft stores after Christmas! Prices for all types of holiday decoration will be cut in half! Know what you want before you go and scope out the merchandise before Christmas to see what is left. You can even try to make friends with an employee so they can keep a lookout for you. Most importantly, be creative with these items. Packages of clear plastic ornaments are so cheap you can’t resist? Find a way to use them for seating cards or fill them with candy and use them for favors!