With Valentine's Day approaching quickly, you may be wondering how you can celebrate this year without jeopardizing your or your partner’s recovery. If you are used to celebrating with alcohol or other substances, don’t fret! There are numerous ways to celebrate this loving holiday wholly sober and still have fun. Remember, recovery is the time to form new traditions, and all that matters is you enjoy the day with either yourself or that special someone. If you are stuck planning for the day due to sobriety concerns, here are some ideas for a fun, sober Valentine’s Day!
You don’t need dinner at a fancy restaurant to celebrate Valentine's Day, especially with restrictions and stay-at-home orders with the COVID-19 pandemic. Create a new tradition by staying in and cooking a meal together. This way, you can control what drinks are served and limit the menu to sober-friendly choices. This will help avoid any awkwardness of “No, we don’t need a bottle of wine” or seeing others drink alcohol during their dinners.
If you usually go out with another couple for Valentine's Day and can’t during the pandemic, consider Zooming the evening. This way, you can enjoy the night with those that support your recovery and control what drinks are being served on your end as well. You can stay safe, stay sober, spend time with friends and each other, and still have fun!
Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking, and that’s okay. Ordering take-out or delivery and sitting in front of the TV can be just as romantic as any other Valentine’s Day. Consider starting a new show together to enjoy and discuss. This way, you can plan for more dates in the future to watch future episodes. Drink your favorite soda and enjoy each other’s company.
If you are looking for an activity that will keep you busy for a couple of hours, doing a puzzle is a perfect choice. You can work together on a puzzle and celebrate the finished product when it all comes together. This will indeed have you spending some quality time together to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Going to the movies is a popular option for many Valentine’s dates, but it may not be possible due to COVID-19. Instead, cook a romantic meal and watch a romantic film together at home. You can choose from new ones on demand or choose a timeless classic. You’ll be sure to feel the love in the room and enjoy the night in its entirety.
With the pandemic keeping everyone inside, there are loads of free online classes to sign up for. Think about something you both would like to learn about and research possible options the two of you could engage in together. These could be cooking, learning a new language, observing a lecture, or painting. Whatever you choose, have fun with it and spend some quality time together as you learn.
Going somewhere the two of you have never been before can be a great way to spice things up and mix up your routine. Remember, a road trip doesn’t have to be hours at a time to be fun. Consider going to a city that’s an hour away or a national park 45 minutes from your home. Going places together will give you quality time in the car and new environments to explore together.
Because of quarantine and social distancing, your options for going out this holiday are most likely limited. However, there are still some fun options to celebrate the day of love with your person! If you and your significant other like learning, consider going to a museum. Museums are a perfect place to bond over stimulating subjects and stay safe! Make sure to wear your mask and social distance, and you’ll be sure to have a romantic evening of pure, sober fun.
Staying inside all day can be a drag, so consider going outside this Valentine’s Day. You can stay safe and still enjoy your significant other’s company by walking around the park, looking at flowers, or having a picnic! If you are thrill-seekers, you could even go mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, or rock-climbing. Your Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be boring because there is no alcohol; make it memorable with various adventures.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it can be overwhelming for those that are new to recovery. Whether you or your significant other are currently in recovery, it can be challenging to break away from past traditions of drinking or using other substances to celebrate the day of love. However, there are tons of fun sober activities to choose from that will also keep you safe during COVID-19. Should you need more help choosing, contact NorthStar Transitions. We are experts in sober fun and can help you develop great date ideas for the upcoming holiday. We are also here to offer treatment services to help you or your loved one maintain recovery for the long haul. Through evidence-based clinical practices, you can be sure that real-life healing occurs at Northstar. We serve a varied client base that includes working professionals, business owners, college students, full-time parents, and those managing co-occurring disorders. Call us today at (303) 558-6400 to learn more. Your healing journey is just one phone call away.
