Finding ways to celebrate the holidays without alcohol can be a daunting task for those in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. The thought of taking part in festivities that involve alcoholic drinks can be overwhelming, especially for individuals who are new to recovery. This year, create new sober traditions that will bring joy and meaning to your holidays.
Creating New Holiday Traditions
The holiday season is a time for connection, love, and creating lasting memories with our loved ones. By embracing new ideas and creating sober traditions, you can fill the holiday season with joy, meaning, and an authentic sense of celebration. These traditions can range from simple yet heartfelt gestures, such as starting each day with a gratitude practice or making homemade gifts for loved ones, to more elaborate activities that involve the whole family, such as organizing a charity drive or volunteering together.
Take a look at these 15 ideas for creating new sober holiday traditions.
- Create decorations and ornaments with your family: The holiday season is the perfect time to get creative. Making ornaments with your family allows you to spend quality time together while adding a personal touch to your holiday decor.
- Host a sober holiday party: Choose a theme that is creative and engaging, and plan games and activities that are fun for everyone. Serve festive non-alcoholic drinks and consider having a dessert bar or a hot chocolate station.
- Volunteer together: Give back to your community by volunteering during the holiday season. You can volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or hospital.
- Host a meditation session: Meditation is a helpful tool in maintaining sobriety. Consider holding a holiday meditation session with a group, followed by sharing inspirational stories.
- Get creative: Engage in creative activities such as painting, knitting, baking, or writing. You can organize a session with friends or family and create beautiful holiday-themed artwork or cookies together.
- Have a fitness challenge: Incorporate exercise into your holiday traditions. Organize a festive fun run or walk with friends, a Christmas morning yoga session, or a post-holiday workout challenge.
- Plan a game night: Gather family and friends together for a sober game night where everyone plays board games, card games, or video games.
- Plan a movie night: Host a holiday-themed movie night with all your favorite snacks. Avoid movies that may trigger cravings and stick to light-hearted and feel-good films. Provide blankets and popcorn for a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
- Host a cooking competition: Host a healthy cooking competition where the main aim is to prepare tasty, nutritious food.
- Build a gingerbread house: Invite friends and their children for a fun time of gingerbread-house building. Instead of gingerbread houses, make holiday cookies, desserts, candy, or charcuterie boards.
- Have a karaoke night: Organize a sober karaoke night where you can sing and enjoy music with your loved ones without needing alcohol.
- Travel: Plan a small trip or visit a new place with friends or family during the holidays. Exploring new places can provide a refreshing break from usual surroundings and routines.
- Start a gratitude journal: Encourage friends and family to maintain a gratitude journal where everyone can jot down things they are grateful for each day.
- Celebrate your sober anniversary: Celebrate the number of days, months, or years of your sobriety with loved ones.
- Hold a vision board party: Hold a vision board party where everyone creates a board for their hopes, dreams, and goals for the upcoming year.
We Can Help
If you or someone you care about struggles with alcohol or drug addiction, our skilled professionals at English Mountain Recovery are ready to help. Our residential treatment center, located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, offers gender-specific treatment services for emotional, spiritual, and physical healing.
