Whether you’re itching to get back into routine again after the festivities of last month, or you’re slowly easing into the year, some gentle creativity could be just what you need to start 2025 on the right path. So, while it’s freezing outside, and the evenings are still dark, get cosy inside and maybe try one of our 6 ideas for a creative January.
1. Decorate a journal. Remember when you had to cover all of your school-books to protect them? And, if you were lucky, you were allowed to use stickers and colourful wrapping paper to make them really personalised and fun? Well, why not channel that inner childhood joy and decorate your own journal for the year ahead.
2. Make a candle. Our homes can feel pretty dull and cold after all of the Christmas lights and decorations come down. Embrace cosy nights in to craft, read, or enjoy your favourite series, and give your home a hug from the glow of handmade candle. Bonus: if you choose a scent that calms you, you can really create your own little January cocoon.
3. Knit some slipper-socks. If you’re a relatively speedy knitter, January is a great time to make your own slipper-socks to keep those toes toasty. And to be honest, let’s face it, with the weather we get here in the UK, even if you’re not a speedy knitter, you’re probably still safe to start some socks now… we may well still need them come March!
4. Upcycle some furniture. If you like the idea of January being a fresh start, what better time of year to upcycle some furniture in your home, making it feel brand new. Whether you simply change the colour of a chair, or go all-in and hand-paint intricate details on a dresser. It’s amazing what a bit of paint and some creativity can do for bringing pieces back to life.
5. Slow-cook some comfort. Something a bit magical happens when you slow-cook food… it softens into a flavoursome, comforting, yumminess that you can never quite recreate when cooking in a hurry. If you eat meat, slow-cooked beef just melts in the mouth. And for any vegetarians, nothing quite beats slow-cooked carrots (they take on a whole other level of sweetness!). Get creative with the ingredients. Use a herb you wouldn’t normally, try a different spice or seasoning, add something a bit luxurious to treat yourself.
6. Paint a vase. If you’re reading all of this thinking it’s all well and good getting cosy but you’re tired of winter already and longing for spring to begin… call in the lighter days by painting a vase, or two. Glass, ceramic, any will do. Spots, stripes, flowers – the brighter and simpler the design, the better! That way, until spring arrives you’ve got something cheery to look at and when spring does appear, you’ll have the perfect vase for all of those gorgeous spring blooms.
As always, be kind to yourself. Creativity has a funny habit of hiding when you put too much pressure on yourself. If you need to hibernate this month and don’t have the energy for a creative project, don’t push yourself. But, if you’re ready for some gentle and seasonal creativity, we hope you enjoy our 6 ideas for a creative January.
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