The holidays can be a challenging time for anyone, but they pose an even greater obstacle for individuals who just completed Prescott AZ alcohol rehab. There are a lot of stressors that are unique to the holidays, including having to buy gifts, attend holiday events, spend time with relatives and manage a busier schedule.
For some, the holidays may also remind them of someone they’ve lost, causing additional pain and grief. Plus, there tends to be an uptick in drinking, which can make it harder to stay sober. While there are many ways you can manage your sobriety during the holidays, one of the best is by starting new, healthy traditions that will make this time of year memorable for the right reasons.
Let’s explore why establishing new traditions is important in alcohol recovery, along with some options that can spark ideas for you and your family. Even though holiday traditions are often what people look forward to, it’s also fun and refreshing to try some new things.
Importance of Starting New Traditions in Recovery
When you embark on the journey to sobriety, you learn a lot about yourself and how you relate to others. The traditions you’ve practiced for years may no longer ‘work’ due to changing circumstances, like alcohol recovery. If your siblings and cousins are used to going out and drinking on Blackout Wednesday, this won’t work for you anymore.
However, rather than sitting at home alone, you can start your own traditions. You can even incorporate some of your old customs to honor your family. Some of your relatives may be eager to join in your new traditions, and others may resist. Everyone gets to celebrate how they see fit, so surround yourself with those who want to celebrate with you.
By creating and carrying on new family traditions, you are:
- Strengthening family bonds
- Telling a story
- Creating memories
- Embracing your religion or culture
- Teaching values
Bottom line: Family traditions offer a sense of comfort and belonging. It brings families together and reinforces the values that are important to you. If your current traditions no longer serve your needs, it’s okay to change them. What matters is that you have customs.
Ideas for New Sober Traditions
Below are some ideas for creating and carrying on new traditions for you and your family after completing Prescott AZ alcohol rehab.
Host a potluck
Potlucks are a great tradition that are conducive to a sober lifestyle. Rather than focusing on alcohol, you and your guests can focus on food. Ask your guests to bring a dish of some type. Most people bring a meal, but you can also switch things up and follow a certain theme. Don’t forget to serve non-alcoholic party drinks!
Here are some potluck theme ideas:
- Mexican fiesta
- International foods
- Breakfast for dinner
- Southern BBQ
- Finger foods
- Alphabet soup – pick a letter and bring a meal that starts with it
- Last name meal – bring a meal that starts with the letter of your last name
Run a movie marathon
Just about everyone loves watching movies, so this could be a great tradition for your family and friends. If it’s October, pick a few scary movies or horror flicks. For December, choose a few of your favorite holiday movies. Or, let your guests vote on the movies they want to watch. Serve snacks and beverages for hours of fun – without the alcohol.
Make holiday crafts
To get into the holiday spirit, plan a day to carve pumpkins, build gingerbread houses, make ornaments or do other crafts and activities. You can do this on your own or turn it into a group activity. Not only will you be spending time constructively, but also you’ll have something tangible to remind you of the holiday season. For instance, if you make ornaments every year, they will eventually tell a story.
Organize a baking session
There’s plenty of baking over the holiday season, so if this is something you love to do, you can host a baking session at home. Cookies are a popular option because they are cheap and easy to make, and decorating them counts as a whole separate activity! In fact, this is a great multigenerational activity because everyone can participate.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food pantry
Volunteering has proven health benefits, including improved physical and mental health and lower rates of depression and anxiety. And, if you’re hoping to enter the business world soon, volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, grow your network and discover the type of work you enjoy. Organizations need help at this time of year most of all, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
Take a vacation or road trip
Some people find solace in getting away for a few days, especially if they are surrounded by triggers. Here in Prescott, you don’t have to travel far to capture an entirely new setting. Winter in Flagstaff AZ is beautiful and offers plenty of options for skiing or sledding.
In fact, during Christmastime, it’s like a real-life snow globe in Flagstaff! There is the Snowflake Festival, skating at the rink, riding the Polar Express, visiting the North Pole and so much more. These activities are best done sober.
Attend a holiday concert
If you enjoy music, consider attending a holiday performance of some sort, such as a Broadway show or Christmas symphony. Again, this is a wonderful way to capture the holiday spirit and spend time making memories without the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Look at holiday decorations
Driving around looking at Christmas lights became especially popular during COVID-19 when people were on lockdown. It was a safe and easy way to enjoy the holidays. Find a list of homes in your neighborhood that are well-decorated or look for drive-through Christmas light displays. These are activities that you need to be sober for since you’ll be on the road. But, you can definitely bring along some hot chocolate!
Enjoying the Holidays after Prescott AZ Alcohol Rehab
The first few holidays being sober can be a challenge. But now is your time to create your own traditions and reinvent what the holidays will look like for you. Eventually, you’ll begin to associate the holidays with your new traditions, and you’ll be able to pass them down to future generations.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself over the holidays. Many people in recovery benefit from additional self-care and meeting attendance. Once you are through this season, you’ll evolve stronger and ready to take on a new year! To start the recovery process before the holidays, reach out to Wolf Creek Recovery today.
