Alcohol-Free Holiday Traditions

My sobriety can feel like an uncomfortable reflection on their drinking. The Snowy Sujeonggwa is a tribute to Korean winter festivities. With its unique combination of flavors, it’s a drink that captures the season in a glass. Serve it in delicate cups, garnished with pine needles for a touch of elegance.

Alcohol-Free Holiday Traditions

Plan a gratitude activity

  • Sometimes the best way to get out of holiday commitments and maintain your sobriety is to take a holiday vacation.
  • Typically, a standard drink is 12 ounces of beer with 5% alcohol, 5 ounces of wine with 12% alcohol, or 1½ ounces of a distilled beverage.
  • Rebecca is a Virtual Health Coach and the Virtual Health Coach Supervisor at ALAViDA Substance Use, a LifeSpeak Inc. product, and also works in private practice.
  • At Gateway Foundation, our highly qualified team will create a personalized treatment plan to address your unique needs.
  • Members and group facilitators get it – holidays can be tough, and we’re here to support one another.

Here you’ll find six tips for enjoying a sober Christmas and a few alcohol-free drink ideas to get you in the holiday spirit. Read on to discover how to thrive rather than merely survive during Christmas in recovery. The Hungarian Hot Chocolate is a celebration of chocolate in its purest form. With its intense richness and creamy texture, it’s a drink that demands to be savored.

You’ll Also Love

Alcohol-Free Holiday Traditions

Here are 23 of our most delicious, alcohol-free Christmas drinks. Make choices confidently, without judgment, and ease potential discomfort others may feel about your decision. Traditions are an integral part of the holiday experience, but they don’t have to revolve around alcohol.

Plan fun activities

  • And remember, drinking even less alcohol, or abstaining altogether, is widely considered the healthiest option.
  • You don’t have to be a nature-buff and go camping for a week in the mountains (but that’s not a bad idea!).
  • New guidelines recommend lowering your consumption to mitigate health risks like cancer and heart disease.
  • Let’s face it, one of the best parts of the holidays is the food.
  • One of the best ways to own your sobriety is to be open and frank about it.
  • Notice the subtle changes in mood, the relaxation of muscles, and the initial sense of euphoria.
  • Try to take time for yourself to exercise, get a massage, or enjoy a long bath with scented candles.

With each alcohol-free celebration, you’re building a new, more meaningful legacy of holiday memories that are sure to last a lifetime. A sober Christmas reframing holidays in early recovery can be a personal choice for individuals in recovery from addiction or those who prefer to maintain a substance-free lifestyle. It allows people to fully engage in holiday festivities while staying clear-headed and mindful of their well-being.

  • Explore the freedom of choosing events that align with your values, reducing unnecessary pressure.
  • At Renaissance Recovery our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment to as many individuals as possible.
  • You may experience feelings of nostalgia for past parties when you were drinking.

Or maybe it’s a physical or spiritual practice that has helped you so far. Taking a break from a holiday celebration for a short walk or some breathwork can help center us. Whatever has been working for you – keep up with your practice. Your support team may also be able to offer insight into how they dealt with past holidays that were especially challenging for them. Embracing sobriety or cutting back on drinking during the holidays can lead to even more joyful and rich experiences this season. The holidays are synonymous with celebration — tables laden with food, the clinking of glasses, and the ubiquitous presence of alcohol in many of these festivities.

Alcohol-Free Holiday Traditions

Tips for Throwing a Sober Christmas Party

Alcohol-Free Holiday Traditions

It’s also important to soak up the sun during the winter months as much as possible to boost your mood and keep your immune system strong. Spending the holidays sober can help usher in a new set of traditions for you and your loved ones. We no longer will need to go back to work after a holiday feeling like we need another day (or several) off to recover from drinking. We’ll reclaim hours of our lives that were spent sleeping off a hangover, and get to spend them doing whatever self-care practices make us happy. Holidays can often be nostalgic, and without the influence of alcohol we get to rediscover what we loved about the holiday as a child.