Five Things I'd Do Right Now For A Sober/Sober-Curious Holiday Season

How to have a "merry and bright" booze-free season and what to drink when you're not drinking on Thanksgiving and beyond.

As we approach the season of holiday cheer and socially acceptable over-consumption, it can be overwhelming to consider a dry run through the end of the year. Everywhere we look we’re reminded that it is time to gather, time to celebrate, time to drink. Everyone knows someone who’s trying to drink a little less lately or ditching the sauce altogether. Since you’re here, that someone might be you.

I’d like to make a quick argument for a sober season. Imagine yourself waking up on the first day of January-bright-eyed, clearheaded, and not hungover. The not hungover part already puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the pack who’ll undoubtedly be licking their wounds through the third or fourth. Some will be starting the year on the backside of a bender that probably started around Halloween but you could be strolling into 2025 with the momentum of two months of intentionality and a wellness-focused mindset. Sound good? Cool. Here’s how I’d do it. 

OPT-IN/OPT-OUT 

Take a beat. You don’t actually have to go to all those parties. Sure, there’s the family Thanksgiving, the work Christmas party, the close friend’s gift exchange brunch, etc, and you feel like there’s no way out of showing up and participating in the obligatory joy and togetherness. The reality? The world will most likely continue turning if you skip one or two. I know, shocking. Compile a list for yourself: must attend vs. optional. Get a little brutal about it. If you are serious about not drinking and your family dinner table during the holidays looks more like a liquor store display table then maybe you need to find a creative way to avoid the slosh-fest. This could look like skipping it altogether, sending a short and sweet text message about needing a quiet day alone this year and getting together for lunch after the New Year, or dropping off a dish for everyone to enjoy instead of staying, or showing up only early enough to get your favorite piece of the turkey and snag a seat-leaving as soon as your pie plate is cleared. I get it. It’s not always that easy. It is your choice though. The key is to keep your schedule as conducive to your choice not to drink as possible. Sifting through invites, compiling an honest list of non-negotiable appearances and putting everything else to the side is paramount to staying on track. You really don’t need to go to that one friend’s daughter’s cookie decorating sleepover because your friend wants a wine buddy. She’ll be fine. 

STOCK UP ON GOOD NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

I take my NA drink situation very, very seriously. Especially during seasons when I know I’ll be most tempted to imbibe. I recommend going a little nuts and getting more than you think you will possibly need. Treat yourself. Remember, you’re skipping the parties, saving money on unnecessary gift-giving, and you deserve nice things, too. This is not the time of year to skimp on quality. I know that there are more options than ever and it can be overwhelming (a new problem for us non-drinkers) so, I’m here to help. Here’s what I’ll be drinking under the mistletoe and beyond:

ZERONIMO NON-ALCOHOLIC RED WINE-pairs perfectly with a hearty holiday meal, full-bodied, dry, real mouth-feel and texture, voted “Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine” by Wine Enthusiast, try the Leonis Blend (starting at $38) if you want a true red wine experience without the alcohol

NAMARI NON-ALCOHOLIC DIGESTIF-a truly unique blend of roots, herbs, and botanicals, create sophisticated, complex cocktails perfect for the winter months, I love Namari ($43) shaken with tart cherry juice and fresh lemon

CURIOUS ELIXIRS NON-ALCOHOLIC CRAFT COCKTAILS-functional, ready-to-pour NA cocktails, nine unique varieties, adaptogens and nootropics, relax and unwind without the booze thanks to ingredients like Damiana, Ashwagandha, and Shatavari root, my favorite is No.5 ($55 for 8 servings) a smoky take on the Ole Fashioned featuring cacao and dark cherry

ATHLETIC BREWING DARK AND GOURDY NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER-I’m a fan of basically all of the Athletic offerings but this porter style is like fall in an ice-cold mug, pumpkin, autumnal spices, refreshing, subtle sweetness, robust, perfect for Thanksgiving Day football and salty snacks

START A CREATIVE PROJECT

Worried about boredom? Make something. I’m a big fan of creativity as a coping strategy. Don’t underestimate the power of the pen or the paintbrush. What keeps me motivated is a steady sense of accomplishment, something that I get from writing and sharing thoughts with others. Don’t overcomplicate things. You don’t have to write a book or sculpt the next Smithsonian featured work of art, it can be simple and personal. Maybe you’ve got an idea for a new backyard garden next spring or a curiosity about watercolor abstract painting. Go nuts. Follow those curiosities wherever they lead you and commit to seeing them through. On nights when you’d otherwise be gulping down cocktails and faking niceties you’ll be making progress on something meaningful, something that you’ll be really proud of come January. That kind of energy is powerful as we begin a new year. I made this cool thing, wonder what else I could create? 

FIND A SOBER/SOBER-CURIOUS COMMUNITY

I like my alone time and honestly thrive when I get consistent solitude (something I only realized when I removed alcohol from my life) but I recognize the need to be around likeminded and positive people. It can feel lonely when we first stop drinking or start reevaluating our drinking habits. Some people will distance themselves to avoid looking at their own “stuff” and others will ask all the wrong questions and make us feel silly for turning down the spiked nog. We need to be around folks who inspire us to keep going, who celebrate our choice, who are good influences. There are plenty of ways to go about finding some cool people who aren’t drinking. If you’re in a bigger city then you probably have a non-alcoholic bottle shop in town which is a good place to start. In Nashville we are blessed by Killjoy, a groovy little spot that serves the sober, sober-curious, and everyone in between looking for something to drink besides booze. I’ve met some really great people on trips to the shop and most shops, like Killjoy, host events and meet-ups too. 

You can always connect on social media with people like me! I’m happy to chat it up in the DM’s about what I’m drinking and offer advice to anyone trying to find more presence and mindfulness in their lives. I also host weekly virtual meet-ups on the private Creative Sobriety platform if that sounds like something you’d be into.

EMBRACE JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out)

Whether you’re drinking alcohol or not, whether you show up to every single party or stay home, whether you’ve got a boozy cocktail in hand or sip on feel-good healthy alternatives-the time will pass. The turkey will be carved. The tree will get decorated. The ball will drop on New Year’s Eve and we will all find ourselves looking at another blank page, another opportunity to grow and learn and hopefully do more of what lights us up. Have you ever allowed yourself to opt-out of the manufactured magic and just revel in the quiet stillness that is November and December? It’s kind of epic. There’s something about rejecting the notion that busier is better during the busiest time of the year that makes me feel like Superwoman. While everyone is losing their minds over which linens to lay out or which wrapping paper best conveys “holiday neutral,” I’ll be sipping a delicious glass of non-alcoholic red wine in my coziest set of pajamas, watching the snow fall slowly, dream weaving and wishing on stars, grateful for quiet moments of reflection and a leg-up on 2025. 

Cheers everyone! Let’s set ourselves up for a monumental new year.