The Gift List For Your Sober Friend.

Or forget your friend and just get it all for yourself!

Argh, another gift list. If you feel overwhelmed or at your wits' end about spending all your money, close this email immediately and go run a hot bath. Treat yourself and forget about all those needy people in your life….even if you love them to death.

Permission slip to delete every single email in your inbox until 2025

However, if you have the bandwidth and excitement to care for a dear one who has recently (or not so recently) made the switch to an AF lifestyle, I have some ideas for giving gifts this holiday season.

FOR THE BOOKWORM WHO LOVES TO BE INSPIRED

• The Sober Lush by Amanda Eyre Ward and Jardine Libaire is my favorite Quit Lit. I wish this book had been around when I first considered quitting drinking. It's also the type of book I wish I had written. It’s practical, upbeat, and romantic—all the things I love. I return to it time and time again. If you know anyone struggling with the idea that life will be boring without drinking, this is the book to get!

• The Sobriety Deck by Lisa Smith and Tawny Lara. How is this the first of its kind? It's such a fun and brilliant idea! I adore both Lisa and Tawny, and they have created a fantastic way to celebrate a sober life, no matter the reason. If your friend is into Tarot or conversational cards, they will love these.

• Flamingo Estate: The Guide To Becoming Alive by Richard Christiansen. For all the wannabe Martha’s out there—another stunning coffee table book.

• Buy Yourself the Fucking Lilies by Tara Schuster. It’s a self-help book for anyone who hates self-help books. Tara is in on the joke but also knows the power of the woo-woo.

• I was a snob about holding real books. Now, I am a snob about the Kindle. I have become very spoiled and don’t want to read unless it’s on my Kindle Paperwhite. Pros - you can read anywhere, anytime. You don’t need readers; just make the font bigger. You don’t need a light, so it’s perfect when you wake up in the middle of the night. It saves room in your home. It saves money with thousands of books on Kindle Unlimited, or you can pay for the books as you go. Bonus: no one will know when the BRADs (beach read after dark) are being read :).

• Root Cause Analysis Caddis readers are my go-to’s. I love this company and everything they stand for.

FOR THE SENTAMENTALIST

There is nothing more special than someone’s sobriety date. And gifting this to someone in the form of a memento/talisman goes above and beyond. I would swoon for these first two.

• The fanciest charms by Jennifer Fisher. You could also find less fancy charms but just as memorable on Etsy.

• Sobriety Date Keychain Necklace by The Giving Keys. It's such a special keepsake to receive.

• Another way to show your support for their lifestyle choice is to create a memory box or frame a letter to your loved one. Framebridge is a large online company that provides neighborhood customer service. I became a customer for life when I read my first personalized note about how cute and special my two dogs were. I was in awe.

• If the newly sober woman is not journaling, she will likely be open to it. Journaling was one of the first ways I could get out of my head, step back, and see my life from a bird's-eye view. It helped me sort out all my thoughts and feelings, and I learned many different ways to journal that were incredibly therapeutic. Check out the Jenni Bick Around the World Refillable Leather Journals

• For the organized planner or the one who loves to document everything, the Leuchtturm 1917 weekly planner and notebook is the OG of the stationary world.

FOR THE FITNESS LOVER

• I have been wearing Saucony Jazz 81s since I was 21 years old. They were with me while I worked in NYC nightlife in my twenties and were on my feet this week as I worked in the hospital. They feel like walking on clouds, and I have yet to find anything that compares. Excellent gift for the woman who has just taken up walking like she means it.

• For the woman who doesn’t want to join a gym or doesn’t have time to commute. There are so many online fitness programs to choose from. I highly recommend FORM Fitness because it has everything you need—slow-moving pilates, sculpting with lighter weights, and lifting programs with heavier weights.

• Pickleball anyone? I don’t know anyone who likes pickleball. They either are passionate about it or want nothing to do with it. These are the cutest rackets.

• EVLO Fitness. My current situation at home. It’s all about slow, functional, effective movements that won’t hurt. This method has shown me the power of slowing down since I injured myself earlier this year.

• Apple Watch. I don’t know what it is, but I think when people stop drinking, they love tracking it. I used the free app NOMO - I am on day 3383 today since I last drank! Now, I track my steps, workouts, heart rate, and pretty much anything. I love it, but I am not married to it.

FOR THE HOMEBODY

• A limited-edition Great Jones kettle in broccoli with a pop of mustard color.

• Chunky knit weighted blanket by Quince. Imagine watching a movie on the couch with a big ol’ of popcorn. Cuddle up!

• Fancy hand soap is such a sweet luxury; the same goes for candles and room sprays. When we quit drinking, we really love those simple luxuries—anything from Homecourt is a win.

• Another great line of eco-friendly hand soap. The people behind Flamingo Estate noticed the run-off water that would go into their garden was killing the roses, so they created a soap line that was good for the body and the plant world.

• Aesop incense for a lovely-smelling home.

FOR THE BUSY BEE

• The Herbal Academy has many courses, workshops, and certifications. You can sign your friend up for their popular Botanical Mixed Drinks Workshop or buy the book, and they can learn on their own or both!

• Masterclass. It's always a hit year after year in my home. There are so many genres and experts to learn from. December specials are always buy one, get one free.

• This $25 monthly deal is probably the best deal around for the film lover. Joe and I go to a movie nearly every week, if not multiple times.

FOR THE LOVE OF SLEEP

• Sleep masks are not all created equal. Blissy for the must-have lux at all times, girly. MZOO eyemask for the practical and knows the importance of protecting the eyes. And for the one who loves to be locked down with a weighted blanket - she will love the NODPOD weighted full-face eye mask.

• Osea Malibu can do no wrong in my book - including this Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist that is explicitly made for relaxing. It’s time to trade in that tired lavender spray for an upgrade.

• Lemon Balm. Tried and true. It’s the one herb I take on a daily. Anytime anyone is stressed out around me, I offer them some or advise them to buy some immediately (*all the nurses I work with). I buy mine directly from Herbpharm, but receiving it always takes a while. You can pick it up at Whole Foods if you don’t want to wait. I do not recommend buying this or any supplement on Amazon.

FOR THE CREATIVE

• Fujifilm SQ40 instant camera - I love that we are slowly moving towards all things analog again, thanks to the younger generations.

• Who doesn’t love a puzzle? Even better, create a puzzle group amongst friends, and once you are done with one puzzle, pack it up and send it to a friend, and your friends will do the same. It's a great way to save money on puzzles while always having a new, fresh one to assemble. Check out this one, or this Miami Vice-style one, or this one if you hate your friends!

• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. If you are getting your friend a journal, grab this book - for all those morning pages she will no doubt be writing.

• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. Rick would slap anyone if they read this book on a Kindle. So it is best to buy it so you can hold it, carry it around, and smell it. It’s timeless and a beautiful reminder that we are all creative in some way.

• Watercolor postcards for the woman who wants to up her travel game.

• The sweetest company that specializes in handmade watercolors. Case For Making has a variety of watercolor kits and classes

• Essential Mediterranean herb kit for the kitchen. For those who love to pay attention to the tiniest of details,

FOR THE ADVENTURESSES - AN ALCOHOL-FREE RETREAT

And lastly, for you or anyone who is sober-curious or sober-serious! Find real connections and community on an alcohol-free adventure retreat.

This retreat was specifically designed for women who don’t necessarily have support at home. I know firsthand that not everyone has friends or even a friend who doesn’t drink. She may not even have anyone to support her new life choice. These retreats are for building community and connecting with other women who are choosing this lifestyle—no matter the reason!

We will spend time together celebrating the choice to live alcohol-free while we dive into all the fun rituals and modalities that help make this lifestyle absolutely fulfilling.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE NEXT ALCOHOL-FREE RETREAT….