Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

198 Shares
198 Shares
January

National Mentoring Month – January 2025

Success comes with learning and what better way than with a mentor! Thanking your mentors might feel a little silly or embarrassing, but gratefulness goes a long way. The custom of mentoring is so traditional it even dates back before Greek mythology. In the book, “The Odyssey,” there is a character—called the mentor—whose sole purpose is to guide others in life. Mentoring does not only include professional development. You can also be mentored in beauty, life skills, craftsmanship and hobbies. January is best known for National Mentoring Month and giving your time back to those who help you.

National Mentoring Month timeline

2000s
Technology Defines a Generation

With the use of new technology, many millennial and gen-x generations focused the use of mentoring on individual development, instead of a career shift.

1988
The International Mentoring Association is Formed

One of the largest mentoring programs today was first started by a small group of individuals interested in connecting youth to older mentors in Michigan.

750 B.C.E
The Creation of the Word Mentor

The word mentor is believed to arise from the "Mentor" character from Homer’s
“Odyssey.”

National Mentoring Month Activities

  1. Be a mentor for someone

    Join a mentoring program if available in your city, or be a helping hand to someone who needs assistance. The best part about being a mentor is that there is no age limit. Excel in one skill and it can be taught to others.

  2. Find a mentor to guide you

    Decide what goals you want to achieve. If the goals are professional improvements, search for a mentor in your work place. Finding a mentor will be easier to find once you know what goals to achieve.

  3. Treat the mentors in your life

    Thank your mentor with a nice gift this month, or take them out for lunch. Mentors tend to be very patient and deserve all the appreciation given to them. Even if money is an issue the simple gesture of thanking them for their time and work in you makes all the difference.

Best Mentor/Mentee Relationships In The Movies

  1. "Good Will Hunting"

    Sean Maguire and Will Hunting

  2. "Harry Potter"

    Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter

  3. "The Karate Kid"

    Mr. Miyagi and Daniel

  4. "Star Wars"

    Yoda and Luke

  5. "Rocky"

    Micky and Rocky Balboa

Why We Love National Mentoring Month

  1. Mentoring creates unity

    Mentoring allows people to grow and improve themselves. It brings people from all walks of life together. Goals are so much more attainable when there is a mentor who helps you accomplish your vision.

  2. Seeking a mentor builds courage

    National Mentoring Month is a great way to introduce yourself to others and build courage. It can be daunting to ask someone to mentor you, but it all starts with what you want to succeed in.

  3. Mentor others to help your community

    Many states offer chances for young people to join mentoring communities. Even if you are changing professions or are looking for a new start the mentoring programs allow for people of all ages to meet others to help them to achieve their goals.

National Mentoring Month dates

YearDateDay
2025January 1Wednesday
2026January 1Thursday
2027January 1Friday
2028January 1Saturday
2029January 1Monday
Celebration of Life Week
Celebration of Life Week
Diet Resolution Week
Diet Resolution Week
National Time Consciousness Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
Silent Record Week
World Series of Beer Pong
Apple Gifting Day
Apple Gifting Day
Commitment Day
Commitment Day
Copyright Law Day
Ellis Island Day
Ellis Island Day
Euro Day
Euro Day
National First-Foot Day
First-Foot Day
Global Family Day
Haitian Independence Day
International Public Domain Day
Mummer's Parade
National Bloody Mary Day
National Hangover Day
National Shepherd Day
New Year's Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Public Domain Day
Ring a Bell Day
Rose Bowl Game
Solemnity of Mary
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Triumph of the Revolution
Triumph of the Revolution
Universal Hour of Peace
Universal Hour of Peace
World Day of Peace
Z Day
Z Day
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Apple and Apricot Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Restaurant Month
California Restaurant Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Dry January
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Ireland Active
Get Organized Month
Get Organized Month
Ginuary
International Brain Teaser Month
International Change Your Stars Month
International Child-Centered Divorce Month
International Creativity Month
International Creativity Month
International Quality of Life Month
International Wayfinding Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Manuary
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Bath Safety Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Book Blitz Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National CBD Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Conscience Month
National Eye Care Month
National Eye Care Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Hobby Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Meat Month
National Mentoring Month
National Menudo Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
National Polka Month
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National Skating Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Thank You Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Poverty Awareness Month
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Retail Bakers Month
Rising Star Month
Self-Love Month
Shape Up US Month
Stalking Awareness Month
START Child Health campaign
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Veganuary
Walk Your Dog Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.