7 Great Gifts to Give Someone Who Is Newly Sober
You’ve made your list and checked it twice, but are you still trying to find the perfect gift for someone in recovery? Whether you are looking for more of a gesture than a gift or something big to demonstrate your support for their ongoing recovery, you’ll find some options below.
Choosing the Right Gift For Someone In Recovery
- An amazing experience. If you’re not sure what “stuff” will best fit the bill for someone who is still trying to define themselves in recovery, why not give them a great experience? If you live close to a theme park, you can give them tickets, or if you are near the mountains, some lift tickets might brighten their winter. Passes to the movies, a museum, or a local sightseeing destination may also give them a fun way to spend the day. For the more adventurous type, passes to go ziplining, skydiving or racecar driving might be a perfect fit.
- Groceries or a gift basket. Finances are often tight in early recovery, and everyone needs to eat. While you do not want to give someone in recovery a cash gift for any reason, you might want to create a gift basket that has some easy dinner items in it (e.g., pasta, sauce, etc.) or put together a theme basket with spices, condiments, or breakfast food items. Include a small gift card to a grocery store so they can purchase some fresh items to augment the items in the basket.
- Self-Care Certificate. Self-care and aftercare are very important in recovery. Find out if your friend or a family member has a favorite spa or salon. You could purchase a gift card for a massage or join them for a soothing spa day!
- Books. There are a number of great books on recovery that can inspire and guide your loved ones as they navigate their own recovery. Or you can pick up a best-selling novel in their favorite genre. Find out if they are interested in any new hobbies like cooking, gardening, or meditation.
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Health-related gift. A Fitbit, a new set of weights, a yoga mat, a membership to a gym, or a new pair of running shoes – whatever is most appropriate and will encourage your friend to begin a healthy habit in the new year. These gifts have the dual effect of not only helping them to get healthy but also improving their ability to stay sober.
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Games. When in doubt, some games may be a positive, neutral gift. You can keep it simple with a funny deck of cards or a Rubik’s Cube, or get creative with a gift basket that includes those plus a question-based group game, a book of Sudoku puzzles, and cards.
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Gift cards. Again, cash is never a good idea for someone new to recovery, but gift cards can be fun. If you are concerned about the possibility of someone selling a gift card in order to get the cash for it, consider doing a small amount on a handful of different cards. If you gift $5 at a coffee place, $5 at Target, and $5 at a grocery store, all these will come in handy if your friend or loved one shops at these places, making for a unique gift.
The holidays can be difficult for someone in recovery. Offering your support and letting your loved one know you are there for them is a gift in itself. Sunrise House Treatment Center has a long history of providing hope and healing to those struggling with addiction. Our New Jersey inpatient rehab facility offers quality care through evidence-based addiction therapies.
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