Let’s all be honest here. February is a notoriously boring month. The cloudy and gloomy weather generally leaves much to be desired, the lack of any kind of major school break helps it to drag on, and, with the “it’s not quite Christmas” Valentine’s Day being the only major holiday during the month, February just doesn’t have anything to make it spectacular. 

However, upon closer inspection, there are plenty of national holidays to celebrate in February—they just might not be automatically typed into your MacBook calendar. But, do not fret, I have created a super easy to use list with one holiday for every day of the month. I also included a few tips on how to try celebrating each one, though the course of celebration is ultimately up to you. If you choose to take the challenge and make February fun, that’s your call, but, without further ado, here are 28 wonderful holidays to celebrate in the otherwise lackluster month of February. 

February 1 – National Get Up Day

Whoa. Crazy. All you have to do to celebrate “National Get Up Day” is simply get up out of bed! Based on the fact that this year it falls on a Monday, it may be a little difficult, but with the start of a new school week looming over top of you, it should be possible. 

Bonus Holiday: National Dark Chocolate Day… indulge a little. Eat some dark chocolate. Let’s be honest—we all know it’s the best kind. 

February 2 – Groundhog Day

One of the better known days on this calendar is Groundhog Day. Although there isn’t a ton you can do to celebrate these “whistle pigs,” checking out if Punxsutawney Phil was able to see his shadow and hence learning if there will be six more weeks of winter or not is always a fun activity. 

February 3 – National Golden Retriever Day

If you’re a dog lover, this holiday is for you. To celebrate this amazing holiday, go and hug a Golden! If you have your own, it’s super easy—just show your pup some love. If you don’t, you might have to get creative. Does a friend have a Golden? A relative? Neighbor, perhaps? Go get in your daily doggy cuddles, and call it a holiday, too. 

February 4 – National Homemade Soup Day

A perfect holiday for the chilly weather, “National Homemade Soup Day” is a great excuse to whip out that random recipe you clipped out of a magazine or saved on Pinterest years ago that you’ve never yet gotten around to. If you don’t have any recipes saved, go Google your favorite type of soup and try and make it from scratch. Even if it doesn’t turn out *perfect*, at least you can say you’ve tried. 

February 5 – World Nutella Day

Not only is Nutella Day celebrated in the United States, but this holiday is celebrated throughout the WORLD (at least according to Ferrero, the company who created Nutella). Either way, Nutella is the perfect food for bringing a little happiness to your day. Sweet and highly versatile, add a little bit of Nutella to your morning toast or spread some on a few pieces of fruit to enjoy this holiday. Or, just eat an entire jar with a spoon. I’ve done it.

February 6 – Pay a Compliment Day

One of the easiest and most impactful days on this list, “Pay a Compliment Day” is a day that should be celebrated every day. Try your best to compliment as many people as you can. Does your best friend’s outfit look great today? Tell them. Did your parents make an exceptionally scrumptious dinner? Let them know!

February 7 – National Send a Card to a Friend Day

Time to dig out the musty envelopes, paper, and stamps! One of my favorites on this list, “Send a Card to a Friend Day” is another simple way to make someone’s day. Take some time to write out a little note, draw a picture, etc., and send it to someone who means a lot to you. Take your time and let them know they’re being thought of. It’ll make you—and them—feel good. 

Bonus Holiday: National Bubble Gum Day… chew some gum, I guess.

February 8 – Read in the Bathtub Day

This holiday accomplishes two things in one: getting clean and expanding your vocabulary! As simple as the name suggests, celebrating this holiday is as easy as picking out a good read and spanning a few chapters in the nice, steamy bathtub. Add some bath salts and maybe a bath bomb or two for an extra luxurious soak. If you don’t have a bathtub, we’ll let reading a little and then taking a shower count.

February 9 – National Pizza Day

It’s time to hit up the local pizza joint! There’s no better way to celebrate “National Pizza Day” than by indulging in a hunk of cheese and sauce covered dough itself. If you’re feeling extra crafty, try creating your own pie. If you’re a little pressed on time, order a pizza from a local joint. The new Padrino restaurant located on North Grand Avenue is a great spot to go hit up for the celebration. 

February 10 – Teddy Day

Go dig teddy out of the basement! It’s time for “Teddy Day,” a holiday in which you give your old bear (or dog, or cat, or bunny) plush a cuddle. This holiday is also a great day for making fun of the super uncreative names you gave your favorite plushies as a child. Goldie, Blackie, and Brownie need a hug! 

February 11 – National Go Make a Friend Day

Well, what are you waiting for? Go make a friend! You know that quiet girl who sits by you in chemistry? Say hi. What about the shy boy in algebra? Make an effort to be extra friendly to everyone you see, and you just might make a new best friend… or at least just make someone’s day.

February 12 – National Darwin Day

The 12th is by far one of the most… scarce… days in February when it comes to fun national holidays. However, if you’re looking for a celebration, “National Darwin Day” is going to have to work. Technically, the meaning of the holiday is to celebrate Charles Darwin, the creator of the theory of evolution. Though there isn’t really much to do to celebrate, you could always look up a few facts about the history of Darwin. Go make your biology teacher proud.

February 13 – Galentine’s Day

A fun but lesser known preliminary holiday to the well known Valentine’s Day is Galentine’s Day—a day to hang out with your “gal pals” and celebrate the amazing friendship you guys have. Even if you have a significant other for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is just another excuse to go out and have some fun with friends. The fact that it falls on a Saturday this year also makes it super special—no school means more time to spend with the gals… or guys.

February 14 – Valentine’s Day

We all know this one. Valentine’s Day is the traditional February staple holiday. Break out the boxes of chocolates, bouquets of flowers, and chalky candy hearts and show your significant other that you care. If you don’t have a significant other, Valentine’s Day is still a great day to tell your family and friends how appreciative you are of them—and also sneak a few chocolates yourself!

February 15 – Presidents’ Day

I’ve never really understood Presidents’ Day. I know it sometimes falls on  Washington’s birthday (not this year), but there really isn’t much to do. Dress up as Washington? List the presidents and see if you can remember the order of their time in office? Hmm… if you can think of a good way to celebrate, please let me know.

Bonus Holiday: National Singles Awareness Day… for those who feel seeing all of the lovey-dovey Valentine’s Day couples makes their blood boil, “Singles Awareness Day” is the perfect day to express that bitterness.

February 16 – Do a Grouch a Favor Day

Who’s the grouch in your life? Go do them a favor. I can’t tell you how the grouch will react, but maybe, just maybe, your act of kindness will cause them to have a change of heart like Scrooge. Okay, maybe not, but at least you can feel like you’ve done a good deed for the day.

February 17 – Random Act of Kindness Day

Well, if your grouch still isn’t happy, try again on “Random Act of Kindness Day!” Go out and do something nice for someone. Maybe you can vacuum the house for your parents? Wash the car if it’s not too cold? There’s plenty you can do, so get creative!

February 18 – National Battery Day

Okay. So, I actually had two options for February 18 and unfortunately had to go with the less exciting day since Highlands high schoolers are not yet 21. How unfortunate. Again, this is a really tough one to make into a celebration. I mean, we’re definitely all appreciative of batteries and the portable power they bring us but there is simply not much to do to show them how much we care. Sorry.

February 19 – National Chocolate Mint Day

One of my all-time favorite flavors of *anything*, “National Chocolate Mint Day” is a true day of flavor and fun. Go grab a couple of Andes mints, get a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream at Graeter’s, or plant your own chocolate mint plant. (Positive review, I have a chocolate mint plant, and the leaves taste like candy once it has grown!) 

February 20 – National Love Your Pet Day

It doesn’t matter which pet you have—it’s just time to celebrate them!  Make some homemade treats for a dog or cat to supplement all of the pets and snuggles they’re about to receive. For a potentially less cuddly or “treat-y” pet, show them you care by deep cleaning their enclosure, giving them a little extra dinner, or just simply telling them you love them. Although animals can’t understand our words, a soothing tone of voice puts them at ease.

February 21 – National Sticky Bun Day

Who doesn’t love sticky buns!? (Newsflash: me) But, if you’re not like me in this case, celebrate “National Sticky Bun Day” by buying or making a sticky bun to eat. Yep. That’s it. Holiday celebrated.

February 22 – World Thinking Day

On February 22, you have the excuse to be extra philosophical, whether you want to or not. Go and expand your knowledge a little by thinking of something you really would love to learn about and look it up! If you’re feeling a tad less investigative, just put some time aside to think about anything you’d like. Find a comfortable area and give yourself ten minutes (just ten minutes!) to think about whatever’s on your mind. No phone. No laptop. Just you and your thoughts.

February 23 – National Banana Bread Day

Slightly healthier than sticky buns or mint chocolate chip ice cream, “National Banana Bread Day” is a day to create and consume the delicious pastry while also clearing out your house of the slightly rotten bananas chilling on your kitchen counter. For a great banana bread recipe click here. It does take four bananas, though, so make sure you stock up!

February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day

For those who aren’t super into baking, “National Tortilla Chip Day” is much easier to celebrate… just rip open a bag of crunchy delights and chew a few! But, if you are into the whole baking thing, try making your own tortilla chips. You can use store bought tortillas for a beginner version, or take the long way around and make tortillas from scratch, too! 

February 25 – Let’s All Eat Right Day

After quite a few days full of delicious treats, “Let’s All Eat Right Day” is the perfect day to hide your candy, cookies, and chips and break out the fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Challenge yourself to eat three balanced meals and cut down on the snacking. If you are feeling extra dedicated, try eating right for a week. It only takes nine days to form new healthy habits, so one week of dedicated healthy eating is 7/9 a step in the right direction!

Bonus Holiday: National Pancake Day… try to make some healthy pancakes, I guess??

February 26 – Tell A Fairy Tale Day

For those of you with younger siblings, this holiday is wonderful! Go and dig up the old Mother Goose books because “Tell A Fairy Tale Day” is celebrated exactly how the name says, go and read a fairy tale to a loved one or simply for your own enjoyment. 

February 27 – International Polar Bear Day

Surprisingly only the second holiday of the month focused on an animal, “International Polar Bear Day” is a day to keep up with information on the melting polar ice caps. Visit this link to gain some information on polar ice loss as well as learn what you can do.  Not only that, but you can always just look up pictures of polar bears or go visit one at the zoo—they’re too cute not to. 

February 28 – National Public Sleeping Day

One of the weirdest holidays on the list, “National Public Sleeping Day” encourages you to take a nap wherever you are! In the bathtub? Take a nap. In the car? (not driving, of course) Have a second of shuteye. Sitting at the kitchen table? Snooze a spell. 

Bonus Holiday: National Chocolate Souffle Day… yum.

See, February can be plenty exciting when you dig just a little bit into all of the awesome holidays it has to offer. What are you waiting for? Get celebrating!