Buying the perfect gift is difficult. But choosing the perfect present is even more challenging when the occasion is highly significant, and your gift demands careful consideration.
Sobriety milestones are occasions that demand meaningful and thoughtful gifts, and finding the perfect present to celebrate a loved one’s recovery is often a grueling and time-intensive task.
We have assembled this gift guide to help you celebrate the people you love who are recovering alcoholics and celebrating their sobriety milestones. Each item has been carefully researched and tested, so your gift is sure to please!
With this guide at your disposal, you are sure to find the perfect gift!
Herbal drinks are just a step up from mocktails; many contain ingredients like Kava or Ashwagandha that offer a mild, relaxing effect.
Leilo is an excellent company that offers kava-based drinks delivered to your loved one’s door.
Remember to ask the recovering alcoholic in your life if they are comfortable drinking such a beverage, as some may prefer to abstain or mood-altering substances entirely.
As such, notebooks are standard in recovery-related spaces.
Notebooks are the perfect gift for writers and creative folks—and everyone likes a beautiful notebook.
You can purchase a wood-cover sobriety notebook from Etsy or consider a customized leather notebook for a more sophisticated look.
Pro tip: write an inscription in the notebook to personalize your gift. Your loved one will see your note when they open their notebook to write and appreciate the thoughtful gesture.
This beautiful necklace from the Japanese brand Komuso helps to slow breathing and relax the mind and body.
It’s an excellent gift for recovering alcoholics—many of whom may struggle with non-narcotic relaxation methods. It’s also an ideal present for anyone trying to quit nicotine, as it satisfies the ritual attached to smoking.
The Kumoso Shift necklace decreases stress hormone release, slows the heartbeat, and decreases blood pressure. It’s made using recycled materials—so you can feel good about your purchase.
The Shift is also whisper-quiet and water-resistant, so your recipient can keep it on and use it anywhere without concern.
Breathing exercises are the best way to reduce stress, so this gift is perfect for those seeking alternative coping mechanisms.
The company From War to Peace makes gorgeous jewelry from decommissioned nuclear weapons—and nothing represents peace like recovery.
Their Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) necklace is made of their signature “peace bronze” and features the signature triangle embedded in a circle—representing recovery and warding off unwholesome spirits!
As everyone in recovery knows, medallions are easy to lose!
With this coin display, your loved one will never again lose a medallion. Each time they look at their coin display, they will remember their achievements—and your thoughtful gift.
This present is perfect for a person who loves—or needs organization!
Meditation is an integral component of any 12-step program.
However, many newcomers to Alcoholics Anonymous struggle with meditation, as the program does not explicitly teach the practice.
A meditation membership is an excellent gift for anyone seeking to cultivate mindfulness and expand their spiritual life.
Meditation offers hundreds of courses, classes, and resources at an affordable price. Their membership package also includes attendance at live events, like community meditation classes, speakers, and specialized classes.
If you want a more ambitious gift, consider purchasing a meditation retreat; the organization offers regular retreats in gorgeous California locations.
As anyone in recovery will tell you, sobriety is about having fun.
Many recovering alcoholics, once freed of their addictions, seek out the exciting and novel experiences previously inaccessible to them.
Use this drop zone locator to find your nearest dive site.
Consider booking a skydive for your loved one—or book two and knock an item off your bucket list!
This gift may require consultation with your recipient before purchase since skydiving is relatively expensive and adrenaline-intensive activities aren’t for everyone.
Addiction is expensive, and any newly sober alcoholics struggle financially.
While gift cards may not be the most exciting gift, sometimes your loved one needs groceries or home improvement items more than a fancy piece of jewelry.
Consider getting your loved one a gift card to Amazon or Whole Foods, or buy them a Visa card they can use anywhere.
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we need most.
Tattoos are common in recovery spaces; people like to memorialize their experiences, sobriety dates, and other meaningful memories in ways that last forever.
This tattoo-shop locator helps you find the right tattoo shop and designer for the exact piece you are looking to get.
You may want to seek input for your gift recipient before booking them a tattoo to avoid spending a lot of money on something they do not wish to.
Alternatively, you can buy temporary recovery-related tattoos on Amazon. This product boasts twenty temporary tattoos featuring famous quotes from AA literature.
There are tons of non-alcoholic winemakers, but few make good virgin champagne. Chateau de Fleur makes an excellent non-alcoholic bubbly, so your loved one can celebrate their milestone in style (and responsibly).
Pierre Chavin also makes a carbonated pink wine at a slightly higher cost—a perfect option for the former frilly cocktail drinker.
Remember that some recovering alcoholics are uncomfortable with the idea of drinking non-alcoholic imitations of alcoholic drinks, so consult your loved ones before making your purchase.
One of the best features of sobriety is one’s ability to remember everything.
Consider printing pictures of your recipient’s favorite moments, or get them a subscription to Chat Books, a service that lets them pick photos from their phones and have them printed in a physical album!
Chat Books offers one-time printing services, or you can purchase one of their monthly packages for a gift that keeps on giving.
This gift is perfect for the sentimental and family-oriented recovering alcoholic in your life.
Sobriety calendars are simple and valuable tools for tracking one’s recovery journey.
You can purchase essential sobriety calendars and habit trackers on Etsy or consider a sobriety app for a more elaborate (and expensive) gift.
Sober Grid, for example, is the most popular recovery app available and boasts peer support networks, addiction support, chat forums and communities, and more.
However, many avoid boozy events to protect their sobriety.
Consider taking your loved one on a trip to one of these booze-free festivals. If they are comfortable being around drinking, you can also attend a sober-friendly music festival, like Bonnaroo (TN) or Lightning in a Bottle (CA).
Consult your loved one before splurging on an experience that may be beyond their comfort zone.
If you are reading this article, you’ve already given your best gift: your support.
Recovery is an enormous achievement, and it comes with many challenges. Many recovering alcoholics have endured tremendous hardship, and your support is what matters to them most.
So above all, remember to express compassion and congratulations to the recovering people in your life.
Cardi “likes to party” Clark has 15+ years of designing, planning, and executing successful parties and events. Highly skilled in event strategy, management, planning, and execution with a track record of exceeding expectations. I make it happen. I get it done and people have fun!
