Sober (Curious) Gift Guide
5 gift ideas for the mindful folks in your life—including yourself
Happy Hump Day! I’m Tawny, an advice columnist better known as “The Sober Sexpert” and author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze. I’m here to empower you to find your *intrinsic* courage without booze—regardless of your relationship status—one date at a time.
When I quit drinking more than eight years ago, I never thought that I could write a post like this: a curated list of products that I’ve created or was directly involved in the creation. I guess that old adage of “you can have a life beyond your wildest dreams if you quit drinking” rings true here.
I know the holidays are a difficult time—especially for folks in recovery. Fun Tip: Write Protect My Peace at the top of every to-do list and shopping list you make this holiday season. Don’t do anything on that list if it requires that you sacrifice your peace of mind.
I like to use this time of year to focus on connection, being with people who make me feel safe, and reflecting on the year that’s coming to an end. There’s a lot of pressure to show up to countless events and buy a bunch of shit we can’t afford. Do what feels right for you this year. Our time on this planet is finite and sacred.
Speaking of planets, I look at this photo of the Pale Blue Dot (a photo of the Earth taken from 3.7 billion miles away) when my inner world feels like it’s spinning out of control. This photo is also the wallpaper on my phone and my husband’s phone. The Pale Blue Dot reminds us that whatever we’re dealing with is fucking SMALL.
Those small stresses have the ability to make themselves metastasize if we don’t keep them in check—especially when running multiple businesses. Below is a list of products made with love by me and/or my hubby. Every purchase directly helps us stay out of the toxic customer service industry, where we spent more than 40 collective years as servers, bartenders, and retail workers before entering sober entrepreneur life.
For the Horny Sober (Curious) Friend Who Loves Boundaries and Communication
I published my first book this year! This gorgeous paperback contains seven years of journalistic research, personal experience, and an insane amount of stress and tears. Now that I know how much work goes into writing, publishing, and promoting a book, I can’t believe they only cost $20-$30. Dry Humping is available in paperback, ebook, and audio (I narrate the audio!)
For the Foodies and Culinary Crowd
My husband got into fermentation as one of his sober hobbies. He learned how to make delicious, artisanal, small-batch cooking vinegar, so we put it on nearly everything we made. We gave bottles away to friends and eventually turned it into a humble business called Sour Humanoid. Add a small dash of Sour Humanoid to your roasted veggies, marinate meats, mix with olive oil for a salad dressing, and brighten your culinary skills.
For the Sophisticated Sipper
(parentheses) is our new vinegar-based botanical beverage developed from Nick’s fermentation and sommelier skills and my personal experience as a woman in recovery who’s reported on the sober (curious) space since 2015.
(before) is designed to elevate the senses, make your mouth water, and get ready for a nice meal (or something else). Featured herbs include gentian, ashwagandha, and prickly ash with complimentary notes of cardamom, citrus, and rose.
(after) is meant to help calm the mind and stomach while winding down. Featured herbs include angelica, lavender, and chamomile, with added notes of wood and a slight smokiness from cherry bark, marshmallow root, and black cardamom.
For the Avid Reader and Resource-Seeker
If reading my weekly advice column helps you take sober (curious) life one day at a time, consider gifting a subscription to your friend, sponsor, accountability buddy, peer support bestie, a trusted ally, or anyone else who may benefit from this steady resource.
Been thinking of upgrading yourself to being a paid member of Beyond Liquid Courage but waiting for a sale? Hell yeah, Here you go…
Paid subscribers get my full column every week, Beyond Liquid Courage’s complete archive (along with the archive of my OG sobriety blog, SobrieTea Party), and other exclusive content.
For Your Spicy Friend Who Loves Calendars
I’m a calendar girl! I’m incredibly honored to be the August image in the Sober is Sexy 2024 Alcohol For Change UK calendar!
Happy Humping, y’all!
-Tawny 💋
One of my favourite gift guides all season!
Great ideas and love the calendar!