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Alcohol. It’s such an easy present to buy. You can pretty much pick it up anywhere & for a fairly low cost. BUT. When you stop drinking, you may decide you no longer feel comfortable gifting alcohol. Or, perhaps you are a drinker who normally gifts alcohol but have some sober loved ones in your life & are looking for some inspiration. Well. Look no further. I have got you covered.

The festive season is fast approaching. So, whether you’re buying for a secret santa, don’t want to turn up empty handed to a soirée or have a special someone to buy for, check out these alcohol free gift ideas any non drinker will be thrilled to receive. Because non alcoholic gifting is so much more than just not gifting booze!

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links meaning I gain commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Table of Contents

1. Best for… The Self Care Advocate

Know someone who is always harping on about the importance of self care? A self care package, or even 1 or 2 items from the ideas below are sure to be gratefully received. Not only is it a fun way to spend a night in, but it’s also a great way to discover new brands and try out new products.

There are plenty of ready made gift sets from a trusted retailers like Cult Beauty – I don’t think there is a single item on that website I wouldn’t love to receive! They have a good selection of products for men too – if you’re fed up of a certain someone stealing your bits.

Or, if you have a bit more time on your hands & want to make it personal, you can DIY it. Simply purchase a gift box or bag & fill it with any from the below list:

2. Best for… Parties

We quit alcohol not having fun OK? Games can act like a social lubricant the same way booze does. They give us a shared experience regardless of whether we’re drinking or not – making them the perfect non alcoholic gift.

Here are some games that are sure to get you giggling without the grog. If you’re turning up to someone’s house, a game is the perfect replacement for a bottle of wine – with a far longer shelf life. It’s truly the gift that keeps giving.

  • Obama Llama – fun rhyming game, easy to travel with
  • Werewolf – work together to identify the werewolves among you – strategic & addictive!
  • Cards Against Humanity – or family friendly Kids Against Maturity
  • JackBox Games – got a games console or smart TV? Download JackBox & play a number of party games – players join on their smartphones to submit answers. A lot of fun & variety.
  • Dobble – snap with a twist. Get the HP version if you’re really cool.
  • Mantis – from the makers of Exploding Kittens (also very fun) comes Mantis – named after the world’s coolest sea creature, the Mantis Shrimp. Think Go Fish with extra steps.
Obama Llama

3. Best for… The One That Never Leaves The House

It might seems cliché to gift socks but if you’re buying for a home body, some ultra fancy cashmere socks, new slippers, PJ’s or snuddies will always be welcome. If you know the person is really into something, you can even go themed!

One of the benefits to gifting specifically at Christmas is that (assuming you’re in the UK) it’s freezing & everyone needs help staying warm. So gifts like this was always be put to good use.

4. Best for… The Anxious

Cost of living crisis weighing on someone’s mind? Help your loved one stay warm & relaxed with a weighted blanked. These have been shown to help reduce anxiety, help with improved sleep and calming your nervous system.

5. Best for.. Tea Lovers

Do you have a tea lover in your life? Expand their horizons with tea from T2 or Tea Pigs. Herbal or not, these brands are available in a loads of flavours. AND, tea is a consumable (aka a clutter free gift), which, like alcohol, can be drank & enjoyed (but without the hangover).

Fancy fresh leaf tea is quite the luxury and any tea lover will be over the moon to receive some.

If you really like the person you could consider pairing it with a beautiful mug. Oh, and if you’re buying loose leaf tea, be sure to gift a strainer in case they don’t have one!

6. Best for… The Organiser

Give the gift or organisation! January is the perfect time to sit down and plan your year, making sure you never miss any birthday’s or special events. Further than that, it’s prime time to think about what you want to achieve in life and orient yourself towards your goals. If you know someone who loves planning, organising & setting goals then check out these gifts.

  • Large calendar – I use this exact one & always have it out on my desk.
  • Daily ‘to do‘ – this daily pad makes planning out your day fun (& kind of cute).
  • Ultimate you – a more intense planner, this helps the owner figure out what’s important, where they want to grow & what habits will get them there. A perfect start to the year!
  • Stationary set – because all the above would be so boring in one colour.

7. Best for… The Reader

Books are such an underrated gift. If you’ve read any real page turners that have stuck with you, why not gift them?

If you’re not already on Goodreads, sign up for updates on the latest popular books. You can keep tabs on books you’ve read & books you want to read – and you can see your friends lists too. They also hold annual awards where users vote for the best books of the year within each genre – you can peruse these (and previous years) to find gems like these:

Of course if you know someone starting out their alcohol free journey, why not surprise them with a book to help them along the road? Check out our favourite ‘quit lit’ books here.

8. Best for… The Reader Who Never Has Time To Read

If you know someone that wants to read more but never has the time to sit & read – why not gift them an audible membership? Gift 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. The receiver will get 1 credit to use each month. Allowing them to listen to stories, non-fiction and even podcasts whilst they drive, walk, exercise or do chores.

9. Best for… The Alcohol Free Drinker

If a loved one has recently gone sober and is making their way through the plethora of non alcoholic drinks now available, why not order them alcohol free beers, spirit or fizz? Booze was the perfect gift for when you didn’t know what to buy and now, alcohol free drinks can fill that hole to! Help a sober friend widen their non alcoholic selection with some AF drinks.

You can also check out the best non alcoholic gins here, and best non alcoholic Prosecco’s here.

FAQ

What type of presents should I buy a non drinker?

Well, everyone is different and there’s a multitude of weird and wonderful hobbies out there that your non drinking companion might be into. But, generally speaking, not drinking booze is one of the biggest acts of self care. Therefore, any gifts that are constructive in nature will be welcome!

Should I buy non alcoholic drinks as a gift?

That really depends on the person! Some non drinkers really enjoy alcoholic alternatives and others find them triggering. Unless you know if the person drinks alcoholic alternatives it’s probably best to avoid them to stay on the safe side!

Where Can I get More Information or Support?

For links to charities, sober community groups, helplines or sites to locate therapists check out our resources page here.