Ah,
holiday parties. The food, the lights, the fun—everything about them is filled
with cheer, joy and the sweet, sweet embrace of a cool winter’s night. You know
what they say: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
But for
those who choose to live an alcohol-free lifestyle, holiday parties can
sometimes be more challenging than enjoyable. There tend to be two main options
for beverages at holiday parties: alcohol or water. Choose one and hope you
have an enjoyable rest of the evening. Only focusing on alcoholic beverages
during holiday parties can make those who have chosen to live an alcohol-free
lifestyle feel uncomfortable, under-appreciated or even completely ignored.
There
are various reasons for individuals to choose an alcohol-free lifestyle, and
only offering alcohol or minimal options at holiday parties can make the season
less fun and more difficult for those individuals. The truth is there are lots
of different beverage options, both for those who enjoy alcohol and those who
choose to go without it. It’s the host’s job to include those options and make
sure all guests enjoy the party.
If you
host a holiday party this season, consider including a few other options for
friends, family and coworkers who may be alcohol-free, such as:
●Apple cider. The delicious hot drink is a holiday favorite with its crisp
smell and warm embrace of the season.
●Hot chocolate. Of course, hot chocolate is a crowd favorite. Don’t forget
to add in the marshmallows!
●Juices: Offering tasty juices and punch gives some more variety to
your beverages, rather than simple water.
●Non-alcoholic drinks. Providing alternatives to alcoholic
drinks, such as non-alcoholic wine, beer or sparkling grape juice allows your
guests to still feel included and involved, while not having the pressure to
drink alcohol.
On the
flipside, if you have chosen to go alcohol-free this holiday season, navigating
holiday parties can be a tricky task to accomplish. Here are some simple tricks
to avoid temptation and still have fun at parties this year:
●Have a plan. Going into holiday parties with alcohol can already be
challenging, but going in completely blind can be nearly impossible. Have a
plan already in place in case the holiday party doesn’t have any beverage
options for you. Could you bring your own drink? Maybe have a friend be your
alcohol-free buddy for the evening. Having a plan in mind and instigating that
plan in case things don’t go well will ensure you still have fun at the holiday
party, even if the options are limited.
●Embrace being designated driver. Your alcohol-free lifestyle can be a
gift to friends, family and coworkers this year. Embrace being the designated
driver for a holiday party, and have fun celebrating a safe time with others.
Not only will this make the evening more enjoyable for you, but it will help
others get on board and appreciate your efforts.
●Start your own holiday tradition. If all else fails in avoiding alcohol
at the annual holiday party, then start your own tradition. Maybe you host a
small get together with close friends, or even put together a big party without
any alcohol—to show others how they can embrace the lifestyle. If planning,
driving and trying other options doesn’t work, then your own holiday tradition
definitely will.
For
those who choose to live an alcohol-free lifestyle, the holidays and holiday
parties in particular can be tricky to navigate. If you choose to host a
holiday party this year, be sure to include a variety of beverage options to
make all of your guests feel welcome. Or, if you are going alcohol-free over
the holidays, try out some of our tips to make sure you still have an enjoyable
evening—no matter what the beverage situation is at the party.
The
holiday season is the perfect time to come together with friends, family and
coworkers to celebrate. Hosting and enjoying holiday parties is the perfect way
to enjoy the season, with or without alcohol.