12 Fun Things to Do New Year's Day - Best January Activities - HouseBeautiful.com
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It's a brand new decade, and starting it off right on New Year's Day can be a lot of pressure. Or, maybe you're not the sentimental type, but you do want to make the most out of your precious day off. Either way, you've come to the right place for ideas. We brainstormed eleven fun (and mostly free) things to do on News Year's Day alone, with friends, or with family. Whether you want to get active outside, reflect on 2019 and plan for a year ahead, or relax and stay warm inside, these activities will help you start off 2020 on a strong note.
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1Go to the Movies
When all you want to do is chill and sit around, consider upgrading from your living room couch to a movie theater. Make a day of it with a full movie marathon and prioritize all the Oscar nominees you want to see before award show season is in full swing. (Psst... Greta Gerwig's Little Women just came out! If you haven't already seen it, run to a theater near you.)
Setting goals on January first might sound cliche, but it really can be a good opportunity to sit down and check in with yourself. Whether you want to take the traditional approach of setting goals or you just want to write freely, this day is always a great excuse to get back in touch with yourself. If you need a prompt, write down five things you want to leave in 2019 and five things you want to take with you in 2020.
When you live somewhere chilly but still want to get outside and be active, ice skating is the ideal activity. If you're lucky, the lines will be a lot shorter than they were pre-Christmas. Don't forget to bundle up.
January first is all about recalibrating and relaxing. A great way to do so? Pick up a new book you've been meaning to read. If you need any suggestions, consider some of 2019's bestsellers, like On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong or Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino.
Go window shopping or make use of the extra day off by prepping and packaging up all the returns you need to make after the holidays (you may want to double check which shops or shopping centers are open first, as the holiday may affect hours).
Pamper yourself! Make the entire day about doing things that'll relax you and make you feel rejuvenated, whether that's doing a face mask and soaking in the tub, hanging out with friends, or volunteering.
Visiting an art, history, or science museum is a fun and enriching thing to do, but it'll also take up a big chunk of time, which is perfect if you're looking for something that'll keep you and the family busy all day long. Many museums will still be open on New Year's Day, but make sure to check their sites to see if they're open before you make the trek.
Spend the day volunteering or working with a cause you care about, whether that means participating in a beach cleanup or researching causes and organizations you want to get involved with in the upcoming year.
If you have a fire pit, invite some friends over for a midwinter barbecue and huddle around the fire to stay warm. Or, if it's simply too cold to go outside, do the same thing around an indoor fireplace.
Whether you want to go on a full on trail hike or just want to stroll through the city, going for a long walk somewhere scenic in your area is a nice way to clear your head.
And last and probably least fun—but most rewarding?—consider cleaning the house and getting organized. Having a clutter-free and clean space is the best way to set the right tone to tackle the year ahead.
Hadley MendelsohnDesign EditorHadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's design editor, and when she's not busy obsessing over all things decor-related, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again.
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