For those of us in recovery, a lot of holidays feel off-limits: St. Paddy’s, Mardi Gras, and this week’s big one, Cinco De Mayo. Most of these are big “drinking holidays” in the US, but they don’t have to be!
Today, we’re talking 5 ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo while sober… Cinco De Sober, if you will.
1. Celebrate with Food
Tacos! Nachos! Guacamole! Let’s be honest, the best part of any holiday is the food and Cinco De Mayo is no different. Whether you’re outside on the grill or ordering from your favorite local restaurant, celebrate the holiday with delicious Mexican cuisine.
2. Celebrate with a Classic (Non-Alcoholic) Drink
Super refreshing and always alcohol-free, this list of Mexican drinks over on our fellow Harmony Recovery Group center, Harmony Oaks, site is sure to get you in the spirit!
3. Celebrate with Music (and Dancing)
Nothing sets a festive mood like music! Get in the Cinco De Mayo spirit with some classic Mexican songs. This list by Billboard of “10 Songs You Need on your Cinco De Mayo Playlist” will get you started. Bonus points for dancing in your living room
4. Celebrate with Games
If you’re quarantining with your family, this is a great time to bust out some festive games. You can even make your own, like “Spill the Beans.” It’s great for all ages and all you need are dried beans and a jar. Fill the jar with dried Pinto beans (or any type of bean) and cut a bean-sized hole in the lid. Set a timer for 30 seconds and see how many beans you can shake loose. Pass it around and whoever managed the most beans, wins!
5. Celebrate with Friends (on Zoom)
This is the perfect time to get your sober buddies together for a zoom call. Connection is so important in sobriety and even more so on holidays. Catch up and play a virtual game together. Old classics like Charades and Pictionary can easily be played on-screen or go digital with mobile apps like Head’s Up (several decks are free right now for quarantine). Get ready for some laughs.