There are an abundance of unusual holidays in January that we can use to add a touch of something different to our stories. If you write mysteries, a crime could be centered around one of these lesser known holidays. Of if you write historical fiction, the origins of one of these unusual holidays could be the focus of your story. In this article, I'll tell you about the unusual holidays from the twenty-fifth day of January through the thirty-first day of January. Some days I will talk a bit about, others I won't. References to the mentioned holidays can easily be found on the internet if you want to know more about them.


January 25
Opposite Day - This is one crazy, confusing, fun day. If you say 'stand' today, you really mean 'sit'. If you tell someone to look up, you are really telling them to look down. There is an episode of Sponge Bob Square Pants that further explains the crazy rules of this unusual holiday.
A Room of One's Own Day - This is the day to celebrate having your own private room, your own private sanctuary to go to and escape from annoying people and/or situations. It is a day to be thankful you have a room in which to relax and unwind, a day to be grateful for your personal place to retreat. Don't have such a place? Then this would be the day to fantasize about having such a place. Celebrate by writing a story about how a young girl creates her own fantasy world to escape too just because she doesn't have one in real life. But what if her fantasy 'room' becomes real and she can really escape into it?

January 26
National Peanut Butter Brittle Day
Spouse's Day - This is the day to show your better half just how much you appreciate him or her. Think of it as a special Valentine's Day for married people.
Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement - Today share kind words with those around you.

January 27
Chocolate Cake Day - Chocolate lovers rejoice! This is the day to indulge yourself with all of the chocolate cake you want and not feel guilty about it. After all, you are just celebrating a holiday!
Punch the Clock Day - You just have to use your imagination with this one.
Thomas Crapper Day - This day celebrates the contributions that this man made to the plumbing industry. Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent the flushable toilet. There are nine patents that he holds – four are for improvements to drains, three are for water closets, one is for a manhole cover, and the last one is for pipe joints.

January 28
Fun at Work Day - Hopefully, you enjoy your job so much that you always have fun at work. It not, make a special point to enjoy it today.
National Kazoo Day - If you don't happen to own a kazoo, today would be the day to go and purchase one of these fun little musical instruments.
Thank a Plugin Developer Day - Wow. I though this day was going to be a day to thank those who invented electrical outlets. It is not, so I feel kind of stupid. Today is the day to thank those who have developed the wide array of plugins that can be used on WordPress. I really should have known that.

January 29
National Puzzle Day - Today, puzzles of all kinds are celebrated and enjoyed. Enjoy a writing puzzle today. Write a story where a puzzle is the solution.
National Cornchip Day
Curmudgeons Day - A curmudgeon is a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous individual. On this day, you are supposed to stay home all day, spend absolutely no money, and do whatever makes you happy, relaxed, or contented. That is all right, unless spending money is what makes you happy, relaxed, or contented.
Freethinkers Day - Also the birthday of Thomas Paine, this is a day to be thankful for the right of each person to freely express his or her thoughts. Why not write a story about a society where individuals are not free to express their thoughts?

January 30
National Inane Answering Machine Day - This day is about the crazy messages that get left on our answering machines. Why not celebrate by making up a totally crazy message for people to hear when they call you?
Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day - On this day, appreciate the packaging material that protects the items we ship through the mail.

January 31
Backward Day - Today, do everything backwards. Wear your shirt backwards, walk backwards, eat your meals backwards, do everything backwards you possibly can. You will have a lot of fun! Why not write a story about an entire community that does everything backwards, everything including life. They are born old and as they age, they grow younger.
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day