Holiday shopping can feel overwhelming in the best of times. If you’re abroad and buying for people on a different continent, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’ll be traveling home for the holidays or sending gifts to your loved ones overseas, here are some tips to keep in mind to make the process easier. 

Gift a taste of your travels

If you’re able to gift a memento that your loved ones would not be able to find at home, that’s a win. You’ll have gotten them a souvenir and holiday gift all in one. But the logistics of traveling with or shipping bulky packages can get complicated. 

For simple gifts that won’t necessarily take up too much space, focus on art or food. These don’t need to be large or complex items either. A smaller print from a local street vendor, specialty preserved or canned

Holidays are supposed to be a joyful break from daily routines, but it doesn’t always feel that way. Sometimes people have to interact with family members, friends or other people who don’t respect their recovery during holiday vacations. These are a few ways I’ve learned to make recovery easier while traveling during the holidays.

1. Create Backup Plans

Travel and substance use can seem like an unchangeable combination. It also doesn’t help when you travel to see people who don’t support or care about your recovery. The thought fills me with intense anxiety before the holiday arrives, making substance use even more appealing.

It’s so important to create backup plans for those challenging moments. I like to bring a few mocktail recipes when I visit family and ask everyone to try them with me. It turns sobriety into a fun activity and a bonding experience.

You can also plan polite

This creamy, sweet and savory miso dressing turns anything it touches into a delicious dish. It pairs especially well with sweet snap peas, corn, crunchy cabbage and cucumbers. The ideal side for salmon or shrimp, it also stands on its own as a vegetarian dish served with grains or tofu if you’re seeking a more substantial meal. As a fermented food, miso contains powerful probiotics which help bolster your gut health and boost your immune system. It also contains Vitamin K, zinc, protein and calcium, along with a host of beneficial minerals. Best consumed raw to preserve its probiotic power, miso works beautifully in this easy-to-whisk-together dressing. While all the vegetables in this recipe are hydrating and full of fiber and minerals, cabbage stands out for its ability to help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as lowering inflammation in your body and aiding in digestion.  

Serves 4