So, with Christmas over, New Year’s Eve shenanigans a distant memory and Dry January in full force, the New Year can feel a bit flat. Add tight budgets and the long wait until payday, the first month of the year can feel particularly unforgiving.
It can also often feel hard to find fun things to do in January without spending money you don’t really have, but thankfully it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Host themed dinner parties with your mates, take up a new hobby, check out some new bars without the cost of an alcoholic cocktail or simply embrace your best hermit life until it’s finally time to get back out into the big, bad world.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in January that will absolutely ensure the month doesn’t suck, and won’t break the bank either.
Embrace your sofa era
There are few things as relaxing or cheap, as cosying up on the sofa with a blanket, a decent boxset and a frozen pizza. January is basically permission to hibernate, so don’t feel guilty! Light a candle, put your phone on charge (just out of scrolling reach) and finally finish that series everyone stopped talking about in October. It’s the perfect time to take Netflix and chill to a whole new level, minus the pressure to leave the house.
Up your culture game
January is a great excuse to pretend you’re cultured now, and thankfully the UK makes it easy with plenty of free and low-cost ways to see the sights. As expected, London is the epicentre, where you can enjoy heaps of free museums (think the British Museum, the V&A and the Natural History Museum.) Other cities also have great options too such as the National Museum of Scotland or the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. If museums aren’t your thing, you can check out cost free cultural days such as exploring Brighton’s Lanes, Margate’s Turner Contemporary gallery or Tate Britain. So why not take advantage of what’s free and on your doorstep? It’s a no brainer!
Become that person with a hobby
Variety is one of the easiest ways to shake up the daily grind, especially in January when every day starts to feel the same. The perfect month to start something new, why not try learning a new language? Try your hand at a bit of Spanish using a free app so you’ll know how to say something other than “una cerveza por favor” on your trip to Ibiza this summer. Or if languages aren’t your lane, try a bit of salsa or finally give photography a go. Learning something new isn’t just good for your brain either; it can boost your confidence and add a bit of fun back into your routine.
Host a games night
While good food, plenty of drinks and all your mates might make for the perfect winter soiree, we highly recommend upping the ante on your January dinner parties by throwing a little friendly competition into the mix. Keep things simple with some Backgammon for two or charades for a crowd. Or if you’re feeling brave, host a full-blown board game night. Just be warned: Monopoly has ended friendships for less.
Dabble in cold water therapy
It seems pretty much everyone we know is throwing themselves into freezing cold water in a bid to feel alive right now, and what better time to give it a go than during the coldest month of the year? Whether it’s a quick sea dip, a lake swim or simply standing ankle-deep while questioning your life choices, cold water swimming promises a rush like no other. The best bit? It’s completely free.
Embrace Dry January at some of the UK’s best non-alcoholic drinks
One of the easiest ways to save money in January is simply by drinking less - or not at all. But whether you’re taking the full month off drinking, prefer your drinks soft or are simply looking to cut down after a boozy Christmas season, the UK is packed with great bars serving non-alcoholic drinks. Our first ports of call would be Oriole in London’s Covent Garden, The Brink in Liverpool, 20 Stories in Manchester and Clementine & Co in Brighton, where you could even give that wild swimming a whirl afterwards.
Declutter, declutter, declutter
January is the ideal time for a reset, and nothing feels quite as productive as finally tackling the wardrobe. Dig out clothes you forgot you owned, donate what you haven’t worn in years and enjoy that rare feeling of having “nothing to wear” while staring at a much neater rail. Or you can even add to your bank balance by selling your not so favourite items online. Win, win!
Giving Back
One sure way to beat your January Blues without spending a penny is by volunteering. There’s lots of research out there which shows that spending time helping others is good for the soul. There are many ways to help out, from volunteering at your local food bank, visiting an old people’s home, to reading in local schools. And if you feel like doing something a little more active, why not set yourself a challenge to run, walk, cycle or swim a certain distance to raise funds for a charitable cause. It does require a little more effort than the options above but investing your time in a good cause can pay back with infinitely good vibes as well as banking some good karma for the rest of the year.
**For more information, visit nordicspirit.co.uk to claim your free sample. Only available to ages 18+, and for existing nicotine users only.**
Featured Image Credit: Nordic Spirit
Thomas Thorn