2026: January

January invites a pause. A soft reset. It’s a time to slow down after the noise of the past months, to refocus on what truly matters, and to begin again without pressure. This month is about using what’s already there — leftover ingredients, familiar recipes, well-worn linens — and turning them into something thoughtful and grounding. A quiet table, nourishing food, soft light, and simple rituals that help you reset, reconnect, and step into the new year with intention rather than urgency.

Moodboard January 2026

Organized people often take time in December to look back on the year and mentally prepare for the next one. Before New Year’s Eve, their goals are set and their resolutions ready. That has never really been me. December is usually full — “Samichlaus” on the 6th, Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, family visits, and a lot of traveling in between.

So instead, I use January to step back. It’s the month where I slow things down and quietly prepare for the year ahead. I finish my budget for the past year, sort through my clothes, gather my thoughts, and set gentle goals and guardrails for the months to come.

January isn’t about rushing forward — it’s about making space.

I believe, the same goes for gatherings in January. It’s a time to slow down and cozy up at home, to use up leftovers from the generous meals of December, and to strengthen the body for the cold, dark weeks ahead with simple, warm, and nourishing food. What comes to mind for me are root vegetables, citrus fruits, grains, fresh bread, dates, honey, dark chocolate, apples, and nuts — ingredients that feel grounding, comforting, and quietly energizing at the same time.

This is also where the color scheme comes from: a delicate blue paired with a rich chocolate brown. The light blue reflects the cold, dark world outside and carries a sense of innocence and new beginnings, while the deep brown symbolizes warmth and comfort indoors, as well as the earthiness and grounding nature of the meal.

Reuse a branch or two from your Christmas tree to create a simple centerpiece for the dinner table. Place leftover cookies in pretty jars and set them out openly — in my home, only what’s on display actually gets eaten. Finish the table with a few remaining Christmas candles. A small window crystal can catch the scarce winter light and scatter it softly across the room, adding a magical touch.

A simple January menu:

Sweet potato and carrot soup topped with pumpkin seeds, served with fresh homemade sour dough bread
Oven-baked chicken with lemon, accompanied by lentils, carrots and broccoli
Simple milk rice finished with date caramel

Recipe: Date Caramel

Naturally sweet, creamy, and made without refined sugar, this date caramel comes together in minutes using just four ingredients. It’s gluten-free, and when made with plant-based milk it’s also vegan — a quick, wholesome topping for breakfast bowls, fruit, toast, baked goods, or, as suggested above, your milk rice.

Ingredients

250g Medjool dates pitted and soft, about 15 large dates
120ml unsweetened almond milk or any milk will do
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract about 5ml
A pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Pit dates and soak in hot water for a minimum of 10 minutes to soften. Drain before blending but keep the water for now.

Step 2: Add ingredients to blender. Combine pitted dates, about half of the almond milk and vanilla extract in a high speed blender or food processor.

Step 3: Blend until smooth. Gradually add the rest oft the almond milk until desired consistency is achieved. If, after adding all the milk, the cream is still to thick, add some of the date water we set aside in step 1. Process the mixture until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated.

Step 4: Taste and add flavour if desired. Add the pinch of salt, some more vanilla extract or even a bit of cinnamon to enhance the flavour, if desired.

Step 5: Use or store. Enjoy the caramel right away, or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate — it will keep for up to one week. Alternatively, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. Stored this way, it will keep for up to one month.

Now imagine these rich flavors filling your home, paired with the scent and soft glow of candlelight on the table while it’s cold and dark outside. This is what gives me energy. The perfect atmosphere to make a cup of rooibos tea after dinner, find a cozy spot, open my laptop or agenda and intentionally begin preparing for the year ahead.