Sweater weather has entered the chat. And contrary to what every holiday party invitation would have you believe, you do not need a glass of wine to enjoy it.
Fall and winter are full of things worth getting excited about. Crunchy leaves, cozy nights, ridiculous holiday movies, and wearing the same oversized sweater three days in a row. There is so much more to this season than drinking at a party and spending the next morning piecing together your personality.
Whether you are newly sober, taking a break from alcohol, or looking for something to do besides “grab a drink,” consider this your seasonal boredom insurance.
Here are 56 booze-free things to do this fall and winter.
Visit a pumpkin patch and take the obligatory photo.
Go apple picking.
Bake an apple crumble with extra topping.
Get lost in a corn maze.
Carve pumpkins with friends.
Roast pumpkin seeds.
Go for a walk somewhere with outrageously pretty fall leaves.
Make a pot of homemade soup.
Host a scary movie night with an unreasonable amount of popcorn.
Browse a bookstore and pick something you will actually read.
Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.
Take yourself on a coffee date.
Go thrift shopping for your dream oversized sweater.
Put together a fall bouquet.
Try a pottery class.
Host a chili night and make everyone bring a topping.
Walk in the rain, then come home to dry socks and hot chocolate.
Make caramel apples.
Start a puzzle that takes over your dining table.
Go to a football or hockey game.
Take a scenic drive to see the changing leaves.
Build a blanket fort. Being an adult does not disqualify you.
Bake pumpkin bread and give a loaf to someone you love.
Have a board game night with snacks worth showing up for.
Visit a museum or art gallery.
Learn to knit something slightly wonky.
Make a playlist for cozy nights in.
Host a Friendsgiving where the food gets all the attention.
Go ice skating.
Walk around your neighbourhood to look at holiday lights.
Make hot chocolate with whipped cream and all the toppings.
Decorate a gingerbread house.
Have a holiday movie marathon in your pyjamas.
Go sledding.
Make paper snowflakes for your windows.
Visit a holiday craft market.
Bake cookies and host a cookie swap.
Write and mail actual holiday cards.
Try snowshoeing.
Build a snowman with a questionable sense of style.
Take a winter walk with a travel mug of something warm.
Make homemade gifts, like sugar scrubs or bath salts.
Go bowling when it is too miserable to be outside.
Host a soup swap so everyone goes home with dinner.
Take a dance class and let yourself be bad at it.
Make an elaborate breakfast on a random Sunday.
Volunteer with a local food bank or community organization.
Have an at-home spa night with fresh sheets waiting for you.
Take a beginner ski or snowboard lesson.
Make a comfort food recipe you loved as a kid.
Have a living room picnic.
Go swimming at an indoor pool.
Make a vision board for how you want your life to feel.
Plan a sober New Year’s Eve with takeout, games, and a midnight dessert.
Watch the first sunrise of the new year.
Book a class or plan an outing that gives you something to look forward to in January.
Your fall and winter plans can include leaving early, ordering dessert, and remembering every single thing you said. A pretty solid seasonal upgrade, if you ask me.
And when the holiday stress piles up, or your brain starts romanticizing a glass of wine, give yourself a check-in before you check out.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Bestday helps you spot your patterns, check in with how you are feeling, and get a heads-up when cravings might hit. A little support for the moments when “I am fine” starts turning into “screw it.”
Download Bestday and give yourself a game plan for the season.