Throwing a 1 Year Sobriety Party for My Husband!

Hi there,
I will have 20 years clean and sober in April and my friends are having a potluck for me. Most of the people will be from NA and AA so it is basically a nice gathering. We will all laugh and hang out. There will be a cake as that is what we do in meetings to celebrate.
Newcomers are invited so that they can see that we do recover.
I will also go share my experience, strength and hope at an NA meeting.
I would talk to his sponsor to see if maybe you can do something like that. No toast though, he is still new and that is a bit odd. People will say lots about him on their own.
Many blessings and congrats to him

You're getting a lot of responses saying this is "odd" or "weird."
It's not.
Some people have no idea what an accomplishment this is.
We need to celebrate accomplishments!
( we all have to "celebrate the 15th baby with a shower" right?)
Have a gathering, invite his sponsor.
He'll be getting his 1 year chip!
People may ask you for gift ideas: serenity prayer stuff, bible cover, inspiration rocks....small, meaningful things.
Congrats to your husband!

I don't think this is a great idea personally. If you want to do something nice, go to dinner just you and him.

Why would you throw a party and 'toast' to 1 year being sober?

Do something that would have a more positive impact on your family and the community and if you want to celebrate, make him his favorite dinner or take him to dinner.

I would not advertise this for the world to see and be a part of because HE may not be ready for that yet.

Weird question... Cheers to being sober, who's up for a shot?

Have you asked your hubby what he'd like to do? Is he a party type of guy or would he prefer something low key? If he's a party guy then have a great celebration. Instead of an encouragement box why not do a poster board where people can write their well wishes and thoughts. That way you can hang in somewhere in the house and he can see it and know that everyone wishes nothing but the best for him.

Sounds more like a time to reflect than to party. If this is real, you need to cancel this. If you really want to celebrate, then do for others. Work at a soup kitchen or visit a nursing home.

I too find this curious but I wonder -- is this something that's been done for others, maybe, in his AA group if he's in AA? So it's something that's not totally new? Will the people attending all be other recovering alcoholics so they "get it"? I'm assuming here that there won't be guests to whom his alcoholism or his sobriety are news -- right? It would be very uncomfortable for guests and especially for him if there are guests who come to a party and don't realize it's to celebrate sobriety -- or don't even realize that their friend/relative is an alcoholic.....So I'm going on the assumption here that the guests are all in the know and are people who have supported him as he gave up drinking--?

Is HE on board with this? I would not do this as a surprise party in case it backfired and he later said, "I really wish it weren't such a public big deal." Make sure he knows and embraces the idea of a party and the idea of being the center of attention like this. I have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic (20 years sober) and knowing her personality I feel sure she would not want an evening where the topic of discussion was her personal sobriety, even if the tone of the event were positive and supportive --she just would not feel it was a topic for a crowd unless the group was her AA group, maybe. But you know your husband best, and if he is on board here to make this a social event, I'd be interested to see an update on what happened.

I would have some party games that do not mention or reflect on sobriety or your husband but are just fun things to do with friends. A words of encouragement box where folks write notes to him on slips of paper sounds fine. Not sure about a toast and verbal congrats in front of the entire group unless that is totally fine with your husband.

Is your husband part of AA or has he been able to achieve this sobriety on his own? If he has, they might be able to give you some ideas. One year is a lot to be proud of, but it is a relatively short time free of addiction. I think I would plan something on a much smaller scale- immediate family only or with someone who has made a significant impact on his sobriety. I don't want to burst your bubble or your plans for a big party, but toasting is too much like needing drinks to celebrate (even if they are nonalcoholic.

Is he involved in AA or NA? If he is be SURE to talk to his sponsor FIRST. He can let you know good ideas and what will or will not be a good plan for the party. They can also help you get in touch with others in his sobriety circle of friends - the last thing you need to do now is invite over a bunch of his old drinking friends!

Also be sure it is not a surprise. Bad idea at this point! Good on you for being so supportive!

Never heard of a "sobriety party". Sounds a little paradoxical; I agree with Christy Lee.

Maybe surprise him with a romantic weekend getaway for you both. I would not do a party.

i don't think it's weird IF it's something your husband would enjoy.
mine recently celebrated his 30th year. he's a quiet fellow, so a nice dinner out is about as much as we do. he would probably have been okay with a small family celebration, but that's the most.
however your dh may well be more of a social person. but even if this is the case, do you need a lot of activities? this will be an adult party, right? surely conversation and congratulations will be sufficient 'entertainment.'
maybe it's just me. i tend to dislike parties where there are a bunch of structured activities. i feel too 'managed'.
congratulations to your husband on his first year!
khairete
S.

Sounds fake to me....

But if this is a real question then it sounds like a terrible idea to be perfectly frank.