There are two ways to look at January.
It can be a real slog, 31 days of what feels like a neverending Tuesday. Or it can be a springboard for the rest of your year; new year, new you, all that jazz.
Either way, by the middle of the month, the struggle is real. Who doesn’t need cheering up right now? A fortnight of grey days, the back-to-work grind and a wavering list of New Year’s resolutions will do that to you.
Is it any wonder that the third Monday of the month has been declared the most depressing of the year? No wonder it’s earned the moniker Blue Monday.
While things like spending time outside, calling loved ones and having something truly delicious for lunch can help beat back the blues, there are plenty of other ways to put a spring in your step.
We need fun, we need excitement, we need adventure - and we need it at a price that won’t require us needing a sit-down and a stiff drink.
To that end, we’ve rounded up a few cheerful pick-me-ups to slice through January’s static fuzz.
From cheerful clobber for a delightful dopamine spike and lamps that will put a smile on your face, to beauty products that will spirit you away, albeit briefly, to far more tropical climes than we're getting on our icy island, scroll on to see the self-care buys to keep you going until the daffodils pop up in spring.
See our favourites below
Mr Maria X Smiley Star Light
The 90s are back and while not all trends are giving us joy, this bright yellow lamp certainly is. The plug-in orb sports a sweet, friendly face and is loaded with six modes to suit your space. It's not the sun, but it'll do for now.
Fed up of wires all over the place? Cordless lamps are here.
Buy now £99.00, Urban Outfitters
Monica Vinader Keshi Pearl Large Hoop Earrings
Feeling blue? You may as well lean into it and bag yourself an elegant little trinket along the way. Monica Vinader's earrings carry nuances of blue in the keshi pearl. The pearl hangs from 18k Gold Vermeil, making them a versatile pair to wear for practically all of 2024's occasions.
Buy now £150.00, Monica Vinader
The Body Shop Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash
A hot shower can work wonders, relaxing muscles and giving skin a hydration injection. Upgrade your morning wash with The Body Shop's formula which sings with zesty citrussy notes that will put you in a sunshine state of mind.
Find more luxe shower washes here.
Buy now £14.00, The Body Shop
Liberty Felix and Isabelle Hot Water Bottle
Cold nights are on the schedule for the next few months at least. With widespread talk of snow, we're staying indoors and wrapping ourselves around Liberty's water bottle. The beautiful pattern makes it as far removed from your nana's version as you can imagine.
Shop long hot water bottles here.
Buy now £48.00, Liberty
FitFlop FFRUNNER Ombré-Edition Mesh Running/Sports Trainers
Need some motivation to keep up your running New Year's resolution? Whether you're trying Couch to 5K for the first time or upping London Marathon training, FitFlop's range of running footwear promises to get you in your stride. This blue wash pair is made for pounding the pavements with a neodynamic design to help you hit a new PB time after time.
Buy now £160.00, FitFlop
Oliver Bonas Patchwork Multicolour Velvet Bedspread
Whether it's for adding an extra layer of warmth to your bed or you plan to wander around the house under it all weekend, this bedspread is a thing of beauty. The 220 x 220cm square is cased in cotton and can be machine washed, making it easy to care for.
Find more cosy blankets to curl up under here.
Buy now £165.00, Oliver Bonas
Bloom & Wild The Nina bouquet
Orange is the opposite of blue on the colour wheel, which makes Bloom & Wild's Nina flowers a fitting choice for banishing Blue Monday gloom.
British-grown orange tulips are mixed in with cheerful statice, solidago, stocks and Craspedia stems, arriving in bud so you can enjoy them at their best.
Invest in year-round happiness with a monthly, quarterly or annual flower subscription.
Buy now £37.00, Bloom & Wild
Sky Stream
Sky's newest invention makes every smart TV one to rival its Sky Glass.
Simply plug in, follow the instructions, and find yourself in a streamlined world of entertainment - and all without a dish. The box works over WiFi so there's no need to wait in for engineers or pay any set-up fees. If that's not enough joy alone, get this: there are more than 150 channels to choose from, and over 30,000 shows.
Plus, a basic Netflix package is included, so you can drop your existing subscription if you wish. Discovery+ also comes part and parcel.
Prices start at £26pm with an 18-month contract for the most basic package, or you can see how you go with a rolling monthly contract for £29pm.
Buy now £26.00, Sky Stream
OTO CBD Sleep Drops - 1500MG CBD
While OTO’s CBD Sleep Drops might be designed to help you snooze, they’ll help you calm down throughout the day, too. Perfect for nighttime (especially if you’re an anxious sleeper or struggle to settle down for the night) or when you’re winding down in the evenings, these high-powered drops have a refreshingly minty flavour and promise no grogginess the following morning.
Pure OTO’s CBD is also infused with soothing lavender, calming butterfly pea flowers and fresh field mint curated to help you doze off.
Buy now £69.00, OTO
Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter
Between howling weather and constant central heating, skin bears the brunt of winter weather. Restore your natural gleam the Brazilian way, with Sol de Janeiro's latest body butter. As it promises on the tin, limbs will be drenched in a wave of hydration helping you feel good from the outside in.
Find more skin-nourishing lotions here.
Buy now £48.00, Sephora
Thermos Food Flask with Lid
They say there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Don't let cold temperatures stop you from taking a stroll - simply fill a flask with steaming hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate to warm you up on the way. this one can fit 0.45L and works just as well keeping food warm as it will drinks.
Buy now £20.99, Amazon
Siedres Divy printed stretch-jersey top
Conjure up images of Mediterranean summers with Siedres’ kaleidoscopic jersey top. The long-sleeved number is perfect for partying the night away. Team with the brand’s matching skirt to craft a joyous, colourbomb ensemble or pair with some relaxed jeans and let the garment speak for itself.
Buy now £95.00, Harvey Nichols
Patagonia 50th Anniversary Recycled Wool Rugby Knit
Take a relaxed approach to cheerful style with a classic rugby shirt. Patagonia’s cobalt, cream and pumpkin-toned piece is a limited edition buy for street style enthusiasts. Pair yours with some jeans and Adidas Sambas for a timeless look to turn heads.
Buy now £269.00, END
The Cheese Life: Recipes, Cheeseboards and Pairings
Much to the delight of the UK's cheese lovers, cheese purveyor and restaurateur Mathew Carver and food journalist and cheese writer Patrick McGuigan have launched The Cheese Life. This beautiful 208-page book will have the foodie in your life salivating while clueing them into the story of cheese and giving helpful tips on the best pairings.
Buy now £19.61, Amazon
easyJet holiday
If you're anything like us, there's nothing like planning a jolly to put a smile on your chops. Luckily easyJet is offering up to 20 per cent off fares to European destinations right now, including hot spots like Naples, Agadir and Faro.
If you can keep your baggage to the absolute minimum, you'll avoid add-on charges, leaving more cash to spend while you're there.
Buy now, easyJet
