19 things to see, do and celebrate this month

Jan. 1: Appropriately enough, the first of the year is not only New Year's Day—it's also the day we unofficially pay homage to the popular brunch libation. Hair of the dog, anyone?

Jan. 3: Raise a glass to the straw, which was first patented way back when in 1888, making it 125 today. Pick up some of these striped vintage-inspired versions and sip away.

Jan. 4: Have an aptitude for remembering useless information? Today's your day. Invite friends over for game night and match wits against them with questions like How many queens of England have been named Elizabeth? (Two) and What was Rhoda's maiden name? (Morgenstern).

Jan. 6: Season 3 of the addictive PBS show begins on Sunday night at 9 p.m. We've done our darnedest to avoid any spoilers (don't worry, there are none here). All we can say for certain is that Shirley MacLaine joins the cast, creating even more tension in the manse.

Jan. 7: Looking for a show to fill the space left on your DVR (and in your heart) by Gossip Girl's ending? Enter Deception, the new drama airing Monday nights on NBC. It has plenty of glitz, glamour and romance, along with a whodunnit hook: The show stars Meagan Good as a detective who goes undercover to find the murderer of her socialite best friend.

Jan. 8: Swing those hips in honor of Elvis—he would have turned 78 today. For die-hard fans, the King's Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tenn., will host a ceremony in honor of Elvis Presley Day. Admission is free and cake will be served!

Jan. 11: Ryan and Crazy, Stupid, Love co-star Emma Stone are reunited in this film about '40s gangster Mickey Cohen, played by Sean Penn. Fans of Gosling (isn't that everyone?) save the date!

Jan. 12: Watch contestants from all 50 states (and D.C., Virigin Islands and Puerto Rico) battle for the title of 86th Miss America on ABC. We're particularly looking forward to the evening's talent competition. This year you can expect the usual array of vocal and piano performances along with artistic roller skating, hula and baton twirling.

Jan. 13: Tune in for the biggest night of combined film and TV talent as The Golden Globes marks its 70th year. With funny ladies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting, the night will hopefully include more witty banter and less awkward celeb bashing than seen in Ricky Gervais' past attempts.

Jan. 13: Thanks to a tweet by show creator and star Lena Dunham, our iCals have been marked accordingly for the new Girls season 2 premiere for almost three months now. Will Hannah stay with Adam, and are Marnie and Charlie done for good? How is Jessa adjusting to married life, and how does Shoshanna handle losing her virginity? Let the generation-defining, hipster-loving fun begin!

Jan. 14: If there's one day you have an excuse to dress up your pet (besides Halloween), this is it. In its fourth year, the tradition is still a new one and there's a website dedicated to laying out some ground rules, such as not making your pet wear anything uncomfortable and keeping the costumes fur free.

Jan. 16: The judges on AI seem to pass through as quickly as the contestants. When the search for America's next singing sensation begins its 12th season tonight, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj will fill the seats (plus one more) left vacant by J.Lo and Steven Tyler. Just seeing Minaj's over-the-top outfits is enough to get us to tune in.

Jan. 20: President Obama will be privately sworn in for his second term today, but because it's a Sunday, the public swearing in will take place on Monday. Fun fact: Prior to the 20th Amendment in 1933, which specified the time a president's term officially begins, Inauguration Day used to be held on March 4.

Jan. 21: Since 1994, Martln Luther King Jr. Day has been celebrated as a day of service. (Think of it as a day on, not a day off.) Need help finding a way to volunteer? Check out the MLK Day of Service site for ideas.

Jan. 21: Want a preview of what the stars will be wearing to major red carpet events (like, ahem, the Academy Awards)? Check out the Paris Haute Couture shows starting today with Christian Dior, followed by Chanel on Jan. 22, and Elie Saab (pictured) and Jean Paul Gaultier on Jan. 23.

Jan. 22: A memoir about women coping with the deaths of their husbands may sound depressing, but Saturday Night Widows: The Adventures of Six Friends Remaking Their Lives is wise, honest and inspiring. The book is a story of friendship, loss and moving forward.

Jan. 24: Although the almond, cashew and a handful of other nuts may be available in butter form today, the peanut remains the most hallowed of the nut butters. Have a scoop of the protein-rich snack to mark the special occasion.

Jan. 27: Get ready for more red carpet fun with the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The two-hour show is strictly for the performers—no prizes for the directors or screenwriters this time around. See which of your favorite thespians will prevail.

Jan. 29: Indie rock band Local Natives releases its much-anticipated sophomore album, Hummingbird, today. For now, take a listen to their first single from the album, Breakers.