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Originally Posted On: https://addictionfreedomnow.com/blog/sober-gifts/
Thoughtful Holiday Gifts for Someone in Addiction Recovery
If your loved one is in recovery this holiday season, you can show your support with the right gift. This holiday gift guide can help you find some ideas to fit their needs.
While the holidays may be a special time for many to spend with family and friends, for others, it is a lonely time of year that brings hopelessness and pain. For those who are in recovery from substance use disorders, it can be an especially difficult time melded with the joy of repaired relationships and substance-free living. The thought of holiday gift-giving for a loved one in recovery can leave friends and family members stressed.
If you love someone who is going through the recovery process and is struggling to get through the holiday season, focus on finding a gift that demonstrates your love and support. Fortunately, it isn’t as difficult as it seems, especially with these curated options. Keep reading for a holiday gift guide for people in addiction recovery.
Addiction Freedom-Focused Gear
Leaving addiction in the rearview is an incredible accomplishment that deserves celebration. Consider this freedom-focused gear this holiday season.
Shirts
T-shirts and hoodies are some of the best gifts to give a loved one who is on the recovery journey. Addiction Freedom Now t-shirts keep the message clear, while clever designs like “In My Sober Era” are both to the point and trendy. If the weather is chilly in your area, consider a recovery hoodie instead.
Accessories
If recovery shirts aren’t ideal for your loved one, consider whether they may enjoy displaying their pride in their recovery in more subtle ways. Hats and bags can showcase recovery while remaining accessories and not the main event. Or, consider a water bottle to promote healthy fluid intake and recovery pride.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Gifts
If you’re stressed about finding that perfect gift for someone in recovery, take a cue from recovery professionals and think of self-care – both for you and for your loved one. Just as we need to give grace to those who are no longer using substances, we need to give grace to ourselves as we shop. Our holiday gift guide for those in recovery starts with gifts that promote relaxation and mindfulness.
Stress Relief Pillow
This soft, velvety stress relief pillow is a great way to help your loved one find their inner calm. It is the perfect size to hold and hug and can be a great source of comfort and relaxation. Your loved one can use it as an accessory on top of the bed, on a chair, on a couch, or just as something to hug when traveling or lounging. Available in two different sizes and eight colors, this pillow can fit a variety of preferences.
Aromatherapy Salt Lamp
An aromatherapy salt lamp is a soothing addition to anyone’s living space. This multi-purpose lamp sends negative ions into the air to counterbalance the positive ions, while the soft glow from the lamp produces a warm, soothing environment. It also acts as an essential oil diffuser, so consider including a bottle of lavender essential oils for your loved one to add to the warming cup. Lavender promotes calm and better sleep.
Yoga Mat
Yoga mats are a good gift choice for those looking to establish an exercise routine in their daily schedule or for those who are looking to begin meditation. Yoga is a component of many recovery programs, and people in recovery often choose to continue their yoga practice as a way to improve flexibility and mindfulness. This thicker yoga mat offers comfort for any kind of physical activity, particularly yoga and pilates, and is available in nine colors. It is easily transportable, as it comes with a carrying strap
Tea Variety Box
Tea is naturally soothing and a good way to help boost relaxation and comfort. A cup of tea is a good way to start out the morning, keep warm on a chilly day, or settle down before bedtime if your loved one chooses a caffeine-free variety. This tea set offers several different loose-leaf teas, including lavender, Earl Grey, peppermint, vanilla chai, and jasmine. It also comes with a copper ball infuser, which can be reused to make a fresh cup of tea daily.
Self-Care Journal
Journaling is an essential way to promote self-care via introspection. Giving your loved one a self-care journal can give them the much-needed opportunity to write down their thoughts, feelings, experiences, accomplishments, goals, or anything else on their mind. This daily reflection journal gets your loved one in the habit of setting time aside each day not only to self-reflect but also to follow the prompts included in the journal to make goals and observe the progress they’ve already made.
Recovery Bracelet
Sometimes, the best way to help someone stay in recovery is to remind them of how far they have come. One way to do this is to give them a personalized bracelet. This bracelet can be an important reminder, including the date they chose to become sober and an encouraging message or whatever you feel would be most meaningful to them. Not only is this a very personal and meaningful gift, but it is also fashionable and fun.
Festive Self-Care Packages
Self-care is especially important for those who are no longer using substances, so some thoughtful holiday gifts for someone in recovery could include a self-care package or basket. A gift basket can help someone see the importance of focusing on their needs in many areas and give them everything necessary to practice some self-care this holiday season. Below are some things to consider when putting together a self-care package for a holiday gift.
Candles
Candles can be used to set the mood of any room, but they’re especially welcome in a bedroom, living room, bathroom, or sitting room. Lighting a candle is a wonderful way to settle down for the evening and relax in the soft glow, whether sitting in a lowly lit room winding down for bed or soaking in a hot bath by candlelight. Most candles have a wonderful scent, which can also promote relaxation.
Stress Balls
If your loved one struggles to handle stress or anxiety, a stress ball may be a wise option for adding to a self-care package. Stress balls give them something to do with their hands, such as squeezing or squishing, instead of resorting to old habits. As they are often made with textured material, stress balls also provide sensory comfort. These balls are created to absorb some of the stress and tension in the body, allowing the user to feel calm and grounded.
Essential Oils
There are dozens of essential oils, all uniquely suitable for targeting a variety of symptoms and ailments. For instance, lavender essential oils can help a person feel more relaxed, which can also promote better sleep. Other oils are said to help relieve pain, provide mental clarity and more.
Body Lotions and/or Body Soap
Self-care can involve maintaining appearance, but it also includes pampering and relaxation. Purchasing elegant body lotions and soaps for someone you love is a way to let them know that they are special and that they deserve to feel special with high-end products. Additionally, body lotions and soaps can help a person feel good about how they look.
Adult Coloring Books
Like crafting or painting, coloring can also be a great way to relax and unwind when feeling overwhelmed about life. Coloring books are no longer considered a children’s activity; adults can now join in the fun with adult coloring books, which involve much more detailed pictures and can take hours to finish. It is a wonderful option for those who want to find a new way to relax at the end of the day and is a perfect addition to a self-care package.
Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are designed to place firm pressure on the body. This pressure gives the person a sensation almost like being hugged or close to another person’s body, helping them feel safe and secure. For someone who has issues sleeping or for those struggling with anxiety, weighted blankets can be a wonderful gift.
Hot Chocolate or Herbal Teas
Hot drinks are perfect for colder weather but are also indulgent treats to be enjoyed at any time of the day or night. Specialty hot chocolate mixes make a wonderful holiday present and give your loved one the excuse to enjoy a treat. If they enjoy hot drinks but have certain dietary needs, consider substituting hot chocolate mixes with a variety of herbal teas.
Holiday Gifts To Help Discover New Hobbies and New Experiences
Those who are in recovery may feel as though they have been given a chance to start over, or they can get back to the life that they once had. Consider this as you search for gifts for your loved one. This can mean supporting a hobby that they used to enjoy doing or encouraging a new interest. Below are some ideas for hobby-related holiday gifts for those in recovery.
Paint By Numbers
Like coloring, painting by numbers is a fun way to create art without the need for prior experience. It’s a non-stressful way to relax and unwind as you create something beautiful. There’s no one better to inspire relaxation and help you learn to paint than Bob Ross, which is why the Bob Ross Paint by Numbers set is a great choice for your loved one.
Planting Kit
If the person you love has a green thumb or wants to try gardening, purchasing a planting kit may be a great option. This planting kit offers ten different kinds of seeds for starting a small herbal garden. Also included are ten pots, ten label markers, a water bottle, four nutritional soil discs, and an instruction guide.
Planting kits offer your loved one a way to make productive use of their time while doing something positive. They also allow the person to care for something other than themselves, which can provide a sense of purpose and calm.
Beginner Embroidery Kit
A beginner’s embroidery kit is an excellent choice for those who want to start learning embroidery or get back into it. Choose from various options for a fun project, like flowers, mushrooms, butterflies, cats, or even a holiday stocking. This set includes everything needed to start an embroidery project, including several colors of embroidery floss, needles, and hoops.
Hiking Kit
An emergency hiking kit could be the gift that persuades your loved one to try hiking again or experience a hike for the first time. Best of all, they’ll be hiking with everything they need to stay safe. You will find everything necessary to survive in the wilderness with this hiking kit. It includes a small shovel, whistle, a three-in-one utensil set, a flashlight, an emergency blanket, and a first aid kit.
Support Is The Best Gift for Those in Recovery
Giving the right gift to someone who is in recovery can make a positive impact on their life after substance use, but the most important gift you can give them is your support. Knowing that you support them in their recovery process can be extremely impactful, and it’s likely the best gift they’ll receive this year.
Of course, one little way you can show your support is by searching for the perfect holiday gift. Gifts can provide a tangible representation of your pride in their accomplishments and demonstrate that you are considering their needs.
The holidays are also an important time to remind those in recovery that they are not alone. Keep doing what you can to show your love and support this holiday season and into the new year.
For more information about how you can support your loved one, along with resources and education, subscribe to the Addiction Freedom Now newsletter.
