Last updated January 2026
January is always a bit of a reset month for us. After a busy Christmas period, it’s a chance to slow things down slightly and spend quality time together. That said, that we still managed to pack plenty in. We had a few cosy movie nights, a theatre trip and a couple of lovely days out.
I’m planning to make this a regular monthly feature here on Playdays and Runways, looking back at everything we’ve been enjoying as a family. Here’s what January looked like for us.
Books I Read
I kicked off my 2026 reading challenge with
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Anything by Frieda McFadden would have been a brilliant way to start the year. I flew through this and gave it a solid 10/10 - definitely set the tone for my goal of reading 30 books this year.
Movies We Watched
January was definitely a month for movie nights, with a mix of family favourites and newer watches:
Finding Nemo
This is a Disney Pixar classic. We love Nemo and although it took us 5 days to watch (long story), we really enjoyed it.
Life of Chuck
John picked this and it was very thought-provoking and a little different. I didn't really understand it at all.
The Housemaid
A must watch after reading the book (although the book still wins!). Really enjoyed this and was definitely worth a trip to the cinema.
People We Meet on Vacation
Saw this advertised on Netflix so gave it a watch. It's a lovely, easy-to-watch-rom-com movie.
Ratatouille
Another Pixar favourite that’s always a hit in our family. We love Remy!
TV Shows We Watched
Our TV watching was very much “one more episode” territory this month.
Stranger Things
We re-watched seasons 1-4 through December and finished the series in January. Such an amazing show that will be missed!
Run Away
Loved the casting in this TV drama. Ruth Jones was fantastic.
Girl Taken
This was dark, intense, and not one to binge right before bed… but very good.
Board Games We Played
We also made plenty of time for board games this month. It’s something we really enjoy doing together as a family and such a nice way to switch off from screens.
Games we played in January included
Outsmarted
Outsmarted is a fast-paced quiz game that has a huge variety of questions for all ages. It’s great for family play because everyone can get involved, regardless of age.
Stranger Things Cluedo
A fun twist on the classic Cluedo, with a Stranger Things storyline that adds an extra layer of excitement. Perfect for fans of the show and great for a slightly longer game night.
Piles
This game is so much fun! It's a quick and chaotic card game that’s easy to learn but very competitive. Ideal for shorter bursts of play when you want something fun without too much thinking.
Smarter
A brilliant quiz-style card game that really gets everyone thinking, with questions that feel challenging but fair.
A great mix of quiz-style games and family favourites this month and definitely something we want to keep doing more of throughout the year.
Theatre & Live Shows
January included a lovely theatre treat
Mary Poppins - UK Tour
I was so emotional watching this. It is such a magical production and a real feel-good show. The cast were outstanding and the unforgettable songs made it a really special night out for me. I cried throughout.
Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran by Candlelight
A stunning evening and a really unique way to enjoy Coldplay’s music, the candlelight setting made it feel extra special.
Days Out We Enjoyed
We still managed a few great days out despite it being January:
Hill Dickinson Stadium - Everton Tour
I'm not a football fan at all but since we visited the Johan Cruijff stadium in Amsterdam I was excited to visit another stadium. Everton is a football club close to he boys' hearts and seeing the Hill Dickinson stadium was a brilliant experience for them and one we all really enjoyed.
Manchester Card Convention
We weren't sure what to expect at the convention but it was such a fun day out. The boys bought some cards and also sold some too. The event was full of atmosphere and something a little different from our usual plans.
Conqueror Challenge - Walk to Mordor
January also marked the start of a new personal challenge for me the Walk to Mordor Conqueror Challenge. It’s made up of five separate challenges and it’s something I’m really excited to work through over the coming months.
The first challenge is walk The Shire, which covers 145 miles. Throughout January, I’ve been fitting in a mixture of outdoor walks and indoor walking sessions, and I’m really pleased with how it’s going so far. By the end of the month, I’d covered 74.52 miles, meaning I’m already over halfway through the challenge.
It’s been a great way to stay motivated, move more during the winter months, and make a bit of time for myself something I’m hoping to continue as the year goes on.
On Playdays and Runways
We had a busy month on our blog including receiving lots of gift ideas for our Valentine's Day Gift Guide. We love working with brands and showcasing products to you all. We love Valentine's Day here and although we show love for each other all year it's extra special on February 14th!
Cashback & Money-Saving
January is always a good month for getting back into money-saving habits, and I made a real effort to use cashback apps where I could. It’s such an easy way to earn a little extra back on everyday spending, and it genuinely adds up over time.
This month, I used CheckoutSmart and saved £11.35 just by submitting receipts which is a nice little win. Checkout Smart is so easy to use and it's a great way to save a few pennies.
I’ve also been using EverUp, where I’ve earned over £50 in January. This is an app where you buy gift cards for your favourite shops and retailers and then you earn cash back on them. I'm so happy I found this but a little sad that I didn't know about it sooner as I’ve already converted £50 cash back into a gift card and put away for Christmas. It feels good knowing that’s one less thing to think about later in the year. You can download the app and you join and use my referral link we both get bonus coins to play ion the games.
Looking Ahead
January felt like a really nice balance of rest, quality time, and getting out and about when we could. I’m already looking forward to seeing how February shapes up and what it adds to our monthly round-up.
If you enjoy this style of post, keep an eye out for next month’s update, I love having a place to look back on all the little moments that make up our year.
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Michelle
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