First sober Christmas?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 634
Yes, I am! Planning treats like luxury hot chocolate (marshmallows, cream etc) and things I wouldn't normally eat too much of, e.g. Nuts, chocs. When it comes to New Year, I'm planning mocktails - at least my kids can join in with the mocktails, we can make it fun!
My husband drinks so I will be around alcohol but I'm used to that. I can laugh at his hangovers!
My husband drinks so I will be around alcohol but I'm used to that. I can laugh at his hangovers!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,065
Me!
Planned to the millisecond
This Friday, Santa Claus Parade.
Saturday, dinner with our babysitter and a movie - going to see The Star (we always take her somewhere or do something with her, she's a great kid)
23rd is Horse Day, we have three we are working on, training to do therapy work, so lots of training that day.
24th cook lots of food, we do appetisers for X-Mas Eve. Church service at 7pm
25th is at home, vegetarian lasagna and garlic bread and salad - totes traditional!
26th at my parents - no issues with booze, they don't drink or offer it usually, we drive 3 hours each way, so they wouldn't expect us to drink anything
27th we fly out - staying with in-laws, not big drinkers, New Year's Eve will be at their place, I just plan to delay, at midnight all drinking ceases at their place anyways. Usually whoever is doing fireworks (husband) and firing guns stop way before that anyways, just a glass to toast. Midnight we set off fireworks, fire our guns and it's all over, the next day is a big meal and I have never seen anyone take a drink that day.
The rest of the time, snow willing, we will be snowmobiling! Absolutely no drinking when doing that.
I am really looking forward to my first sober holidays!
Planned to the millisecond
This Friday, Santa Claus Parade.
Saturday, dinner with our babysitter and a movie - going to see The Star (we always take her somewhere or do something with her, she's a great kid)
23rd is Horse Day, we have three we are working on, training to do therapy work, so lots of training that day.
24th cook lots of food, we do appetisers for X-Mas Eve. Church service at 7pm
25th is at home, vegetarian lasagna and garlic bread and salad - totes traditional!
26th at my parents - no issues with booze, they don't drink or offer it usually, we drive 3 hours each way, so they wouldn't expect us to drink anything
27th we fly out - staying with in-laws, not big drinkers, New Year's Eve will be at their place, I just plan to delay, at midnight all drinking ceases at their place anyways. Usually whoever is doing fireworks (husband) and firing guns stop way before that anyways, just a glass to toast. Midnight we set off fireworks, fire our guns and it's all over, the next day is a big meal and I have never seen anyone take a drink that day.
The rest of the time, snow willing, we will be snowmobiling! Absolutely no drinking when doing that.
I am really looking forward to my first sober holidays!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 421
Originally Posted by misscostalot 
Is anyone else facing their first sober Christmas? How are you planning to manage it? Needing inspiration!
The confidence in my inability to manage and control myself and my alcohol consumption. The confidence in me ruining another holiday, or not being present for another holiday. The confidence in regret and anxiety I would feel after the poor decisions.
I used my prior poor choices and the feelings those choices made as motivation, just like I do on a daily basis. I'm done hurting people with my words or actions, or lack there of. This past Thanksgiving was the best Thanksgiving I've ever had. I want this Christmas to be the best I've ever had as well.
Learning from previous mistakes, I'm finally listening to them and not just making excuses.
Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
not my first sober one, but ill be doing it the same way as the rest:
-have the right motive for going to any holiday event where theres alcohol.
-be in fit spiritual condition.
-have an escape route just in case my thinkin gets squirrely.
- and the main thing: didnt drink even if my ass fell off.
all them firsts the first year sober were rather strange- first birthday, fourth of july, thanksgiving,christmas...i hadnt done them sober in a LONG time. they became really enjoyable over time.
-have the right motive for going to any holiday event where theres alcohol.
-be in fit spiritual condition.
-have an escape route just in case my thinkin gets squirrely.
- and the main thing: didnt drink even if my ass fell off.
all them firsts the first year sober were rather strange- first birthday, fourth of july, thanksgiving,christmas...i hadnt done them sober in a LONG time. they became really enjoyable over time.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
I'm heading into my fourth sober Christmas. It feels pretty darn great.
I remember my first sober Christmas. It came at the end of my first sober year, as I'd gotten sober after a year and a half long binge wound up ending in crisis just after Christmas.
Approaching the holidays, I had a solid foundation of sobriety for the year - but even still it was a challenge. The holidays were always so charged with booze and drugs for me. Decades of drinking my head off was the norm. Surrounded by drinking and drinking people and drinking messages and the memories of days gone by - many of which were fond and pleasant despite the alcohol - it was hard.
I went to meetings almost every day through the holiday season. That helped a lot. I read the Big Book every day - especially the personal accounts. I came to SoberRecovery forum every day. I kept my head in the game. I had a canned answer to anyone offering me a drink. I had a bailout plan for every event or dinner or place I visited..... a pre-programmed willingness to leave and retreat home. I went to the gym a lot. I kept it focused every day and I managed through. Several times it was a challenge. I had to fight off conflicting feelings. I had to recognize my own inner addictive voice an
d put it in its place. I had to remind myself daily of all the reasons I'd chosen sobriety.
In the end, it felt really, really good - every day - going to bed and waking up sober. Being present. Really experiencing Christmas. Seeing it through new eyes. Having real interactions. Sometimes it was hard but mostly it was rewarding.
Nowadays there's not the slightest struggle.
You can do it.
I remember my first sober Christmas. It came at the end of my first sober year, as I'd gotten sober after a year and a half long binge wound up ending in crisis just after Christmas.
Approaching the holidays, I had a solid foundation of sobriety for the year - but even still it was a challenge. The holidays were always so charged with booze and drugs for me. Decades of drinking my head off was the norm. Surrounded by drinking and drinking people and drinking messages and the memories of days gone by - many of which were fond and pleasant despite the alcohol - it was hard.
I went to meetings almost every day through the holiday season. That helped a lot. I read the Big Book every day - especially the personal accounts. I came to SoberRecovery forum every day. I kept my head in the game. I had a canned answer to anyone offering me a drink. I had a bailout plan for every event or dinner or place I visited..... a pre-programmed willingness to leave and retreat home. I went to the gym a lot. I kept it focused every day and I managed through. Several times it was a challenge. I had to fight off conflicting feelings. I had to recognize my own inner addictive voice an
d put it in its place. I had to remind myself daily of all the reasons I'd chosen sobriety.In the end, it felt really, really good - every day - going to bed and waking up sober. Being present. Really experiencing Christmas. Seeing it through new eyes. Having real interactions. Sometimes it was hard but mostly it was rewarding.
Nowadays there's not the slightest struggle.
You can do it.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 280
Christmas Eve...god willing will be Day 35 and Christmas Day 36.....feel confident now....but of course always worried in the back of my mind.
Planning for it to be low key...with my girlfriend and her parents. They think I am taking a break from booze to get healthy and lose weight.
Not comfortable enough discussing the real reason with them.....
Planning for it to be low key...with my girlfriend and her parents. They think I am taking a break from booze to get healthy and lose weight.
Not comfortable enough discussing the real reason with them.....
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,189
First sober Christmas for me....
I will not be traveling to see my family, as it is a huge trigger (drunk brother, and wine drinking daughter in law). Both know my struggle but do nothing to support my choices (sobriety), so I'm on my own this year.
Maybe make a gourmet meal at home and have a home spa day...
Merry Christmas to me
I will not be traveling to see my family, as it is a huge trigger (drunk brother, and wine drinking daughter in law). Both know my struggle but do nothing to support my choices (sobriety), so I'm on my own this year.
Maybe make a gourmet meal at home and have a home spa day...
Merry Christmas to me
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,246
My first sober Christmas too. Very nervous about it......I plan to stay busy when I can. But i am worried about the day itself. I am scared I won't be able to do it to be honest. I would prefer to have no alcohol in the house but this won't be possible.....I don't feel I can impose this on everyone else. I am fine outside the house.....all my serious drinking was done at home.
I am going to try and make a plan for the day that will see me through. Most of all I don't even want to contemplate how I will feel if I drink.....enough damage has been done by this addiction already.
I am going to try and make a plan for the day that will see me through. Most of all I don't even want to contemplate how I will feel if I drink.....enough damage has been done by this addiction already.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Portland maine
Posts: 1,330
First sober Christmas here in a very long time. Will be home with my husband. We will lay low and probably have a nice dinner and speak with children and grandchildren on the phone. Keeping it simple.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,416
some really good ideas here guys
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ers-2-0-a.html (Thanksgiving and Xmas Survival Guide vers 2.0)
D
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ers-2-0-a.html (Thanksgiving and Xmas Survival Guide vers 2.0)
D
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,189
Originally Posted by DarklingSong
My first sober Christmas too. Very nervous about it......I plan to stay busy when I can. But i am worried about the day itself. I am scared I won't be able to do it to be honest. I would prefer to have no alcohol in the house but this won't be possible.....I don't feel I can impose this on everyone else. I am fine outside the house.....all my serious drinking was done at home.
I am going to try and make a plan for the day that will see me through. Most of all I don't even want to contemplate how I will feel if I drink.....enough damage has been done by this addiction already.
I am going to try and make a plan for the day that will see me through. Most of all I don't even want to contemplate how I will feel if I drink.....enough damage has been done by this addiction already.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 611
Also my first sober Christmas. My family doesn't really drink, so no issues there. Work party on Friday will be a drinking event, but not the first one I've been through sans alcohol.
Holidays or not, urges are going to do what urges are going to do. What I do? Identify them, refuse them, and move on.
Holidays or not, urges are going to do what urges are going to do. What I do? Identify them, refuse them, and move on.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 1,543
I was sober from Dec 17th 2015 through to January 2nd 2016 and then I relapsed.
So not my first sober Christmas but I do have a useful experience tucked into my pocket that tells me that even when I do make it through the festive season unscathed, I cannot be complacent again.
Regards,
JT
So not my first sober Christmas but I do have a useful experience tucked into my pocket that tells me that even when I do make it through the festive season unscathed, I cannot be complacent again.
Regards,
JT
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Derbyshire Dales, UK.
Posts: 2,618
Originally Posted by JustTony
I was sober from Dec 17th 2015 through to January 2nd 2016 and then I relapsed.
So not my first sober Christmas but I do have a useful experience tucked into my pocket that tells me that even when I do make it through the festive season unscathed, I cannot be complacent again.
Regards,
JT
So not my first sober Christmas but I do have a useful experience tucked into my pocket that tells me that even when I do make it through the festive season unscathed, I cannot be complacent again.
Regards,
JT
I do remember last Christmas being 'amusing', in that I would watch people acting the fool and know how they'd feel the next morning. Facebook was a real treat - all the posts of hangovers etc.Have a great Christmas
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 260
I was sober 2 years ago at Christmas and New Years eve. I went so far as to be the designated driver on new years. I realized that drunk people are extremely irritating, and should have been left at a bus stop or something. LOL anyways I'm back struggling again. starting Day 3, and hopefully in a few weeks I'll be the designated driver again. Sober at Xmas is AWESOME Good Luck
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