Banish Blue Monday with our shopping writers’ favourite pick-me-ups from just 4p
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Today is unofficially known as the most depressing day of the year. Coined ‘Blue Monday’ 20 years ago by travel industry insiders keen to tempt consumers to book a holiday, the third Monday of January is, for most of us, a point where we’re looking forlornly at bank accounts depleted by the excesses of Christmas and - if we’re lucky - the January sales. Pair that with dark days and cold weather there’s no wonder that this is the Monday morning of the year that hits hardest.
Inevitably, travel companies are doing all they can to tempt us to book something to look forward to – preferably somewhere sunny. TUI is offering discounts of up to £400 on summer holidays for 2025 with a host of school holiday perks thrown in, while other travel firms keen to get us jetting to sunnier climes like Secret Escapes and On the Beach are also joining in the fun with Blue Monday sales.
You don’t even have to bust out your passport, with UK-based brands like the ever-popular seaside resorts Haven slashing prices on a range of deals. Meanwhile Travelodge is offering more than a million rooms for £35 or less in early 2025. But if you’re not in a place to book a holiday this side of payday (it’s not just us, right?) you still don’t have to suffer Blue Monday in silence. We asked some of The Mirror ’s shopping team for their tried-and-tested little treats and pick-me-ups perfect for brightening a rubbish day and there are options that start from less than a tenner (the cheapest is a bargain 4p a time) so you can save booking that dream Disney World deal until after payday….
