Technically, the term “bank holiday” comes from the old days when banks decided to close. But now it just means everyone gets a break—schools, offices, and even your local post office (though your Amazon package might still arrive, because robots don’t party).
So yes, it’s a bank holiday—but you don’t need to work at a bank to enjoy it. Even if you’re a freelance unicorn, you’re allowed to take January 1st off. You deserve it.
What about Scotland? They do things differently
Our friends in Scotland have a special treat. They get two bank holidays for New Year: January 1st and January 2nd. That’s right—a double dose of “Hogmanay” celebration.
If you’re in Scotland, you can basically eat shortbread and watch old TV specials for 48 hours straight. Honestly, I’m a little jealous. But don’t worry, the rest of the world still gets a solid 24-hour pass to do nothing.
