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65 special events in 2023 to inspire your January newsletter ideas

· 20 min read · Email marketing · December 22, 2022
Milda and Izabella working together in Austria

New Year, new goals, new dreams, and of course new newsletters! If one of your resolutions is to keep your email marketing jam-packed with interesting new content, then these 65 January newsletter ideas were made for you.

This list simplifies your email marketing strategy by mapping out exactly what is happening in January and when, so that you never run out of newsletter ideas. From Dry January to Chocolate Cake Day, there’s plenty of upcoming events to inspire you.

Before you begin…

Remember that relevance is key. Pick events that relate to your business in some way—even if it is as simple as adding a P.S. to remind your readers of the special day. 

Bear in mind that some of these days hold special cultural and/or religious significance, so if you choose to refer to them in your content marketing, remember to be sensitive and considerate. 

Use this as a guide to help plan your newsletter ideas for January. We encourage you to experiment and to keep it Lite!


It’s the official first day of the modern Gregorian calendar, and a time for parties, toasts, fireworks and new beginnings! 

  • Newsletter idea: Help subscribers start the new year on a high by offering a discount on a product (or digital product) that will help them solve a problem this year. Maybe an e-book on how to create healthy habits, a digital diary designed for setting and meeting goals, or a physical product specific to your niche

Headspace encourages subscribers to—as they say in their subject line—“Kick off the new year right” by promoting mindfulness activities in their New Year’s newsletter from 2021.

January newsletter from Headspace
Image credit: Headspace

OK, there isn’t necessarily an “official” date attached to this, but many companies will launch post-holiday sales to shift their Christmas stock and clear the way for their new collections. 

  • Newsletter idea: Offer a new year’s email coupon to your subscribers to celebrate the arrival of 2023, along with a gift guide for inspiration

This Waterstones sale ends on 31st January. In this January newsletter example, they offer a whopping 50% discount, plus an extra 10% for their loyal members. 

Waterstones 50% sale email until 31st January
Image credit: Waterstones

This is the official national day for Australia, and this event marks the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove. The public holiday features barbecues, concerts, festivals, fireworks, and more.

  • Newsletter idea: Give your email design an Australian theme and/or list 10 ways your subscribers can celebrate

This Australia Day newsletter example from Revolut aims to help subscribers take advantage of an exclusive partner discount to help them celebrate.

Australia Day-themed newsletter with a partnership discount
Image credit: Revolut Australia

This is a public health challenge that encourages people to avoid drinking alcohol for the whole month, and it has gained serious momentum in recent years.

  • Newsletter idea: Create a 31-day Dry January series with daily challenges like mocktail recipes or self-care activities. Ask subscribers to post their daily challenges on social media with a special hashtag so that you can embed your favorite posts in your January newsletters.

Alternatively, you could go the total opposite route as Winc has done in their Dry January newsletter. Instead, they’ve used it as an opportunity to offer a discount on their wine bundles with a festive email GIF.

Dry January newsletter from Winc with a champange bottle popping GIF
Image credit: Winc

  • Snack Drop Alert: New Year, New Nuts (Nuts.com)

  • Kicking off the new year right (Headspace)

  • Get 50% off to jump start your 2023 business goals (flodesk)

  • A new year means new opportunities. Your dream job awaits. (AngelList)

  • New Year, New You, New Creative Passions on Skillshare (Skillshare)

  • Our January Clearance Must End Soon! (Factory Direct)

  • Solo January Sale: claim your 20% lifetime discount (Solo)


Our in-app newsletter template collection is frequently updated with stunning new email templates. Take a peek at the professionally designed winter newsletter templates you can use to warm up your January email campaigns.


1. National Hobby Month 

With the onset of New Year’s resolutions, many people decide to take up a new hobby, making January the prime time to try new activities.

  • Newsletter idea: Add an RSVP block to your email, inviting people to a webinar tutorial in your industry niche (e.g. a writing workshop, or an arts and crafts demonstration)

2. National Blood Donor Month

This month is all about celebrating people who donate blood and platelets. If the thought of donating makes you feel queasy, there are lots of other ways to support the cause, including supporting a charity and inspiring others to give on social media.

  • Newsletter idea: Use dynamic content blocks in your email to send subscribers specific information about their local blood donation centers

3. Braille Literacy Month

Braille Literacy Month honors the birthday of Louis Braille (born 4th January 1809), the creator of a reading and writing system for people with visual impairments. 

  • Newsletter idea: Add a download link to your newsletter and create a printable braille workbook for beginners and encourage subscribers to practice using this reading method. 


1. New Year’s Resolutions Week (1 - 7 January)

This week is all about setting goals and improving things in our lives—from health to new hobbies, to anything else you could imagine! Of course, sometimes we have a hard time following them through the whole year, but it’s the intention that counts, right? 😂

  • Newsletter idea: Create a PDF template for sustainable goal-setting and send it to your subscribers as a freebie/New Year’s gift

2. Diet Resolution Week (1 - 7 January)

Granted, the name speaks for itself, and it’s pretty similar to New Year’s Resolutions Week, except it’s focused specifically on diets and healthy eating.

  • Newsletter idea: Share how your audience can look after their physical and mental well-being through the winter months (and link to your favorite healthy recipes)

3. Celebration of Life Week (1 - 7 January)

This is the week to—you guessed it-—celebrate life! From our families and loved ones to our friends and colleagues, this is the time to show appreciation for the people around us and the things we have.

  • Newsletter idea: Write down 5 things you’re grateful for this year and use a survey block for subscribers to contribute as well

4. Hunt for Happiness Week (15 - 21 January 2023)

Let’s face it, after all the holiday festivities, January can feel a little bit… meh. This week is all about beating the back-to-school vibes by doing things that bring joy and removing things that bring us down.

  • Newsletter idea: Link to case studies and testimonials with your happy customers, sharing how they found joy using your business/ product

5. Universal Letter Writing Week (8 - 14 January 2023)

This is a time to reignite the art of letter writing and reach out to our loved ones through the medium of the written word! 

  • Newsletter idea: Handwrite a letter to your subscribers and add it to your email via an image block


1 January 2023

  • New Year’s Day: (See key events)

  • National Hangover Day: Send your subscribers an email coupon to brighten their day and lift their spirits

2 January 2023

  • International Stop Spam Day: Highlight ways your subscribers can protect themselves from spam

  • World Introvert Day: Share the success stories of introverted leaders, small business owners, influencers, and creatives, such as Rosa Parks, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk

3 January 2023

  • Festival of Sleep Day: Describe how your business helps people to sleep easier at night (e.g. by simplifying their task list)

4 January 2023

  • Trivia Day: Include a P.S. line with a trivia question, offering a prize to the first 3 people who respond with the correct answer 

5 January 2023

  • National Bird Day: (Not to be confused with Bird Day on May 4th 😅) Link to non-profit organizations that are protecting local birds and wildlife

6 January 2023

  • Cuddle Up Day: Create a ‘bucket list’ of 5 cozy winter activities for families to try this month

7 January 2023

  • Old Rock Day: If you have a special engagement ring or family heirloom, such as an important piece of jewelry or precious stone, tell the story behind it and what it means to you

8 January 2023

  • Bubble Bath Day: Host a bubble bath hamper giveaway, which your target audience can enter by completing an email survey, filling in a form, or purchasing a new product

  • World Typing Day: Challenge your audience to complete a TypingTest and offer a special discount to whoever gets the best score

9 January 2023

  • National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: Link to charities and support organizations for law enforcement professionals that people can donate to 

10 January 2023

  • Cut Your Energy Costs Day: List sustainable ways that your subscribers can cut their energy costs, such as by using natural lighting, taking shorter showers, and unplugging unused electronics

11 January 2023

  • Human Trafficking Awareness Day: Link to the #WearBlueDay challenge and to the organizations where people can donate 

12 January 2023

  • National Pharmacist Day: Celebrate pharmacists by sharing the #APharmacist hashtag campaign, and thank them for helping us to stay healthy

13 January 2023

  • Korean American Day: This day celebrates Americans who have full or partial Korean descent and the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the US in 1903. Celebrate by linking your favorite Korean recipes in your newsletter

  • Stephen Foster Memorial Day: Commemorate the life of American songwriter Stephen Foster by embedding a video of one of his songs in your newsletter

14 January 2023

  • World Logic Day: Add a logic question to your email newsletter, or share some downloadable PDF activities for families

  • National Dress Up Your Pet Day: Dress up your pet and include a selfie in your email (bonus points if the costume is linked to your business) 

15 January 2023

  • Bagel Day: Just like a bagel needs the perfect toppings, share the best “ingredients” that go into your business (e.g. your wonderful colleagues, top quality products, etc.)

16 January 2023

  • National Religious Freedom Day: Commemorate this day in 1786 when the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was adopted, allowing freedom of religion for all Americans

  • National Nothing Day: No need to celebrate or honor anything—instead, post an empty infographic about Nothing Day, to add a touch of humor to your email

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Link to a landing page quiz where people can learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr.’s life 

17 January 2023

  • International Mentoring Day: Coaches can promote an online course or run a limited-time offer where subscribers get a free call or ebook if they sign up on Mentoring Day.

18 January 2023

  • National Thesaurus Day: Create a word cloud with key phrases that link to your company and embed it in your newsletter

19 January 2023

  • Popcorn Day: Share a roundup of your favorite movie recommendations for your subscribers to enjoy with a bag of popcorn

  • Get to Know Your Customers Day: Run an email survey to know your audience better and identify any common FAQs

20 January 2023

  • International Day of Acceptance: Create a downloadable workbook that teaches children how to embrace and empower their peers with disabilities

21 January 2023

  • National Hugging Day: Send a virtual hug to your email list, thanking them for supporting you and your business

22 January 2023

  • Celebration of Life Day: Share a recap of everything that you’re grateful for this year

23 January 2023

  • Handwriting Day: Include a handwritten email signature, and use it in your future newsletter templates as a personal touch

24 January 2023

  • National Compliment Day: Tell your subscribers why they’re awesome, and offer them a discount or free delivery as an extra sweetener

25 January 2023

  • National Opposite Day: Share successful ‘before and after’ testimonials for your business and product

  • Library Shelfie Day: List 5 books that impacted you and your business

26 January 2023

  • Australia Day: (See key events)

  • National Spouses Day: Offer a ‘His and Her’ email discount code for couples

27 January 2023

  • Chocolate Cake Day: Link to your favorite chocolate cake recipe and share a photo with your end result

28 January 2023

  • Data Privacy Day: Remind your subscribers how you keep their data safe by linking to your privacy policy

  • National Have Fun At Work Day: Feature your team members doing a group activity together (e.g. art, paintballing, etc.) in your company newsletter

29 January 2023

  • National Puzzle Day: Add a printable crossword puzzle or word search to your newsletter, with keywords linking to your business

30 January 2023

  • Croissant Day: Share your favorite French patisserie recipe or list 10 crazy facts about croissants (e.g. the first croissant was called Kipfel and it actually comes from Austria) 😱

31 January 2023

  • National Backward Day: Re-order your newsletter to be upside down, starting with the email signature

  • Inspire your Heart with Art Day: Link to an easy art tutorial on YouTube for your subscribers to try

  • Plan for Vacation Day: Shake the January blues by sharing a list of your favorite travel destinations


  • 1 January 1502: Explorers from Portugal arrive at Guanabara Bay and name it Rio de Janeiro

  • 3 January 1924: After several years of searching, Egyptologist Howard Carter finds the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen

  • 5 January 1972: $5.5 billion is approved over 6 years to construct the NASA space shuttle

  • 6 January 1412: Joan of Arc is born. She later inspires the French to win several victories during the Hundred Years’ War

  • 8 January 1935: Elvis Presley is born in Mississippi

  • 10 January 1878: An amendment allowing women to vote is introduced in the US Congress (but not passed until 42 years later)

  • 11 January 1990: 200,000 Lithuanians demand to become politically independent from Soviet Russia

  • 15 January 1559: Elizabeth I is crowned in Westminster Abbey

  • 17 January 1942: Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is born

  • 19 January 1809: Writer and poet Edgar Allen Poe is born

  • 23 January 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell becomes America’s first female doctor

  • 27 January 1756: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is born in Salzburg, Austria

  • 28 January 1547: King Henry VIII of England dies


Et voila! Your January newsletter ideas are good to go. Pick events that are relevant to your industry or niche, and then get creative and add them to your newsletter in an engaging, interactive way. Quizzes, printable resources, and special discounts are a great place to start, or you can encourage people to support charities, social media campaigns, and hashtags. 

Now your January newsletters are done and dusted, get inspired for next month with these February newsletter ideas:

Are you going to use any of these email newsletter ideas? Let us know in the comments!

Jonas Fischer
Jonas Fischer
I'm Jonas, Content Manager at MailerLite. I’m not the 4th Jonas Brother, but I do write content (which is similar to being a teen heartthrob). After writing for a bunch of companies over the years, I discovered my professional passion—helping add some humanity to B2B marketing. Email is the perfect place to start!
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