Reasons to Celebrate in January
Start writing a post
Food Drink

Holidays That Need more Recognition: January Edition

Get out of the slump that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's leaves us all in.

358
Holidays That Need more Recognition: January Edition
https://www.pexels.com/photo/bright-burning-celebrate-celebration-288478/

Looking to find a way to celebrate everyday life or a way to bridge the gap from those amazing holiday months to the treacherous drop of nothing? Take a look at any one of these holidays in January! There's sure to be something that'll pique your interest, and make you wanna celebrate. These holidays (and one imposter) show all types of people: chocoholics, Tolkienists/wannabe Hobbits, and those who still have and cherish their favorite childhood rubber ducky come to band together to celebrate some amazing holidays this month!

JRR Tolkien Day-Jan. 3

J.R.R. Tolkien medallion in signature shape

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cacahuatey/14965739131/in/photolist-oNtjR2-EkgXip-22BZBq8-8osviV-dX1iri-275v6ue-25GXnpH-Hqvwa6-25YSYzf-25GYkHK-EkgXCH-Hqws9Z-24jLP5C-R2stHj-275vZmF-6SN7N3-EkgXte-dF2hni-2ZDVyC-g4ZhPn-6akpJZ-2ZzhHZ-AzKuy-7eHxHs-3QfX59-2Zzs8P-2eWC4-2Zzesa-6gTyEt-83qyid-25YT7Cj-271zxEs-25YSmZC-271AoHY-275vffF-2bYqJYH-275vhXe-2cdk7bR-RrMuTY-PDosEP-2cBw1cf-2cK4CXq-2dgT9QA-GCtdDu-GmC1Nm-GEPkeF-GmBU6y-GCt75Y-GmBHcj-FRcJ3y

Yes, I can read Elven--can't you? J.R.R. Tolkien is one of my literary heroes, for his works of literature: The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, and The Silmarillion (Which I need to read soon!), Not to mention that he fought (albeit trudgingly) in the first world war, and he was an Oxford Professor. Tolkien is often referred to as the Father of Modern fantasy, due to some of the contributions that he made to the genre of fantasy literature. This day celebrates his legacy, who he was, and the brilliant fantasy worlds that he created.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day-Jan. 9

Group of Men Leaning on Wall · Free Stock Photo

www.pexels.com

January 9th is dedicated to the everyday heroes around us. It celebrates those who work in law enforcement, like police officers. "In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all" (Article link here) The news focuses more often on the negative, showing bad cops and things like that. This day reminds us that the people shown on the news are not the people that we see daily on the highway, or passing by the station. There are a lot of good cops out there who risk their lives all the time for safety for you and I. Let's show them some appreciation, and drop cookies off at their station, or bring them a card, or even just thanking a cop--even if the only one you see has pulled you over for speeding...

National Gluten Free Day-Jan. 13

Bread, Olive Oil and Bowl of Spices · Free Stock Photo

www.pexels.com

As a first step towards more healthy eating, or to show love for those with an autoimmune disease, celebrate National Gluten-Free Day in a few days, on January 13! This holiday can be a step in the right direction if you're looking to lose some weight, as going gluten-free can aid in losing body weight! Join us as we go gluten-free for a day!

National Rubber Ducky Day-Jan. 13

Yellow Duckies in Line on a Concrete Floor · Free Stock Photo

www.pexels.com

Though nobody really knows why this holiday came around, it's been speculated that it's a result of Ernie's rubber ducky on Sesame Street, which debuted in 1970, with Ernie's song, Rubber Ducky. "According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Ducky's Birthday is January 13 so around the country it's National Rubber Ducky Day" Celebrate with your children, or some relatives by throwing a giant rubber ducky-themed party! You could also celebrate by ordering some rubber ducks to share around your office with a positive message on the bottom. The way you celebrate is up to you!

Learn more here

National Winnie the Pooh Day- Jan. 18

Original Stuffed Animal Characters of Winnie the Pooh

farm5.staticflickr.com

This day honors another author and soldier in WWI--A.A.Milne. This author wrote the Winnie The Pooh books for his son, also named Christopher Robin, based on the adventures he could have had with his stuffed animals (pictured above). Nearly everyone will be able to recognize this sticky bear, as his animated movies were a vital and memorable part of their own childhood, and even for today's children. Celebrate your favorite honey-obsessed yellow bear on the 18th, with friends from your generation, or with your kids or niece/nephews from the next.

Read more about Milne and the holiday here

National Thesaurus Day-Jan. 18

To me, the thesaurus is a lifesaver, especially as a writer. Whenever I get a mental block and can't think of the rightword, or my word is too weak, or overused, I search a thesaurus for the better option. Celebrating this day by furthering your knowledge! Pick a few words that you'd normally use, and substitute them with better, more powerful words from the thesaurus! Another way to celebrate is by playing a game with friends. Apples to Apples is a good one, as the game revolves around finding a 'matching' word. Though not specifically a game for synonyms, the game shows some after all cards are revealed. It's also just really fun to play.

National Celebration of Life Day-Jan. 22

Man Wearing Grey Shirt Standing on Elevated Surface · Free Stock Photo

www.pexels.com

In a world that's broken, and where injuries, natural disasters, old age, take people we love, and where everything feels rushed, and there's no time to appreciate anything, just take a moment and love being alive. Let all of your problems wait for a day, and just celebrate life. "Make a list of good things...Indulge yourself in an ideal day" National Celebration of Life day helps us slow down and actually enjoy the life we're working hard for. Don't let the day pass you by, join in the celebration.

More info here

National Opposite Day-Jan. 25

Opposite Swans, light and dark

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fireextinquisher/2431758986/in/photolist-4GTpe5-MUNmLU-g9K2w-abBuHe-Y4Ptpd-6jhqfN-574NDh-LfqS2B-oQKKk1-H3DwhD-YhxnV2-5JMvBT-GGC9RA-qBAWhT-q4Pw5T-qt8aAP-PgqaZP-pEkdgh-cRae6Q-HVMrPm-ifx63M-bWz3YX-4QkJwT-GgjK77-n9caDA-hm8WnR-S1xAkr-pXSPpD-Npjkb-aun9mQ-dqnBGy-9Utgck-5P5u3U-iw3yVz-RzXWVH-e1B3sq-4Vmbyf-JUza6k-WwLd4y-9EBNNj-9FDPdU-bMh3MZ-jgiiFE-i6viRv-79udZv-5oA12n-YeH4Uf-65cAXx-e4ZQHb-aswtHp

January 25 is National Opposite Day! ...Or is it? Opposite Day is a crazy, wacky holiday, where everything is backward. This can mean at your family, school, or even work life, that you do/say opposite things, instead of the normal way. "I won't not eat pizza for lunch today" or the like. Use your new knowledge of words to help you today, saying contradictory things, or just doing the opposite of what you usually/are used to doing. Celebrate in whatever way that you want, but don't not have fun with it!

National Chocolate Cake Day- Jan. 27

Sliced Cake on Plate · Free Stock Photo

www.pexels.com

Okay. A holiday surrounding chocolate cake. Can anyone not celebrate this?? While chocolate cake isn't my favorite because of its often 'too-rich' taste, cake is cake. I'll eat it. Happily. Bake a cake or buy one to celebrate this holiday! Share with friends or keep it all to yourself! Baking a cake from scratch is a lot of fun, but can turn wrong in many ways, opt for a boxed cake mix for less hassle, and make up for it in the decorations (chocolate ganache looks and tastes amazing, especially with a raspberry hint, so there's one way you could go.)

National Hot Chocolate Day-Jan. 31

Chocolate Marshmallow Frappe Served in Mug · Free Stock Photo

www.pexels.com

Just a few short days after national Chocolate Cake day is National Hot Chocolate Day. What is it with January and chocolate? January 31 celebrates the warm and physically warming drink that everyone's had. Hot cocoa, while I don't personally like it, is a great way to warm up after freezing yourself out in the wilderness (A.K.A. while shoveling your driveway, or walking in from the car). Treat yourself to a good cup of chocolate today, maybe sub it in instead of your morning or afternoon coffee. celebrate simply by participating through drinking a cup of it today!

National Soup Month

White Round Ceramic Plate Near Brass Cookware

www.pexels.com

Finally, the last holiday on the list isn't exactly a holiday, but a holimonth? I had to throw it in as number ten because I love soup! Probably not surprising as I do come from New England, but still. Soup is awesome, especially when it's piping hot on a freezing cold January afternoon. Celebrate the month of soup by trying a couple new ones. Try a soup a week, expanding your palate and your flavor profile! Some of my favorite soups are: Tomato (with grilled cheese sandwich of course), Chicken corn chowder, Ramen, and chicken noodle.

January has many meaningful or fun holidays that are littered through, giving us reason after reason to do something good or grow ourselves as people. Expanding our knowledge with a thesaurus, living in a fantastical world for a couple chapters with Tolkien, or showing our care for local law enforcement with a box of cookies or donuts (That wasn't supposed to be a stereotype, donuts are a good treat to share), or even just by sharing the last slice of chocolate cake with a friend, join us, celebrate with us!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

44019
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

27708
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952521
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

150475
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments