Congratulations on making it through the first two weeks of January! These days, often called the post-holiday “doldrums” are typically considered to be a bit of a “slog”: decorations are down and taken to your storage unit, friends and family have gone back home, gifts are put away (or returned), kids are back to school, we’re back to work, and everyone’s on a diet! Yuck!

Take heart; you may be missing out on lots of reasons to celebrate (yes, perhaps even to party a bit) that you weren’t even aware of. After all, who says January can’t be a fun month, too? Here is a mere sampling of the golden opportunities that can give you every chance to plan entertaining times:

January All-month Named Celebrations

  • National Oatmeal Month (Because, maybe just one more batch of cookies wouldn’t hurt, after all.)
  • National Soup Month (Now you’ll know what to do with the turkey carcass or the ham bone next year.)
  • Hot Tea Month (Especially good if anyone in your house has the winter sniffles.)
  • National Hobby Month (How about a family hobby night where everyone can get creative?)
  • National Blood Donor Month (Help build back the depleted blood supply, if you are well and able.)

January Day Named Celebrations

(Make note of dates already passed for next year)

  • January 3 – Festival of Sleep Day (Yay!) and Fruitcake Toss Day
  • January 4 – Trivia Day (Does anyone still have their old Trivial Pursuit game handy? Now’s the time to bring it out.)
  • January 6 – Bean Day and Cuddle Up Day
  • January 8 – Bubble Bath Day (Who wouldn’t love this?)
  • January 10 – Houseplant Appreciation Day (Give your indoor plants some TLC!)
  • January 14 – Dress Up Your Pet Day (Only for cooperative pets, of course.)
  • January 15 – National Hat Day (This is a great photo opportunity to don the awful hat you got as a gift, right before you throw it away.)
  • January 17 – Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day (Yes, you now have permission!)
  • January 19 – National Popcorn Day (Pop up some fun flavored varieties, and munch a bunch.)
  • January 20 – Penguin Awareness Day (Seems only fair, since they entertain us so much.)
  • January 21 – National Hugging Day (Use your own discretion.)
  • January 23 – National Pie Day (That diet thing is getting old, anyhow.)
  • January 24 – National Compliment Day (This is one we could benefit from every month.)
  • January 28 – Fun at Work Day (Give it a try, at least. And if you are among the lucky people who work in a great environment, it will be easy.)
  • January 29 – National Puzzle Day (Grab some of those old puzzles you have in storage and bring them out for a bit of fun!)

With so many available options, wouldn’t it make sense to pick a couple and invite some friends over to enjoy a winter’s afternoon or evening of good company and laughter? And don’t feel constricted by “named” days; there’s no reason you can’t create your own January celebration. Get your imagination cranked up!