It’s
the most wonderful time of the year! ‘Tis the holiday season, which means
Christmas is right around the corner. With Christmas comes a time of family,
friends, presents and of course… alcohol. For many people, the Christmas season
is practically synonymous with drinking alcohol, which means if you choose to
live alcohol-free, the next few weeks can be a unique challenge.
Whether
it’s the office Christmas party, the family dinner or even a friendly get
together, alcohol seems to be everywhere during the holidays, and avoiding it
might feel impossible. However, there
are
tangible ways to celebrate Christmas without alcohol, despite how difficult
it may seem. Whether it’s your season of life, health choice or lifestyle, if
you’re not drinking this Christmas, you’re not alone. Here are some tips for
how to celebrate without alcohol.
Come in with the right mindset.
To
start off, it’s important to go into the Christmas season with the right
mindset from the beginning. It’s tempting to head into your holiday party with
the grumpy, annoyed or frustrated mindset of, “I can’t drink.” This thought
process makes avoiding alcohol difficult from the start. Then, instead of it
feeling like your choice, it feels like forced, which no one enjoys. Instead,
if you don’t plan on drinking this holiday season, be sure to prepare your
mindset. Get enough sleep, don’t stress and tell yourself positive affirmations
as you head into a situation with alcohol.
Create a plan beforehand.
Next,
be sure to create a plan beforehand. Without a plan firmly set out before you,
it’s easy to fall into temptation and end the night drinking alcohol. When you
create a plan from the beginning, you will know where you’re going, how you
will behave, who you will spend time with, what you will drink, etc. All of
your decisions will be pre-made, which leaves little room to fall into
temptation. If necessary, create a list of potential excuses to use in case of
an emergency when you feel tempted to drink. That way, no matter what unfolds
at the Christmas party, you can feel confident in your plan not to drink.
Have a drink prepared.
One
of the most tempting times to drink alcohol is when you arrive without a drink
in hand, and are immediately offered an alcoholic beverage to choose from. To
combat this, be sure to have a drink already prepared which you can enjoy.
Whether you bring a drink with you, have a water bottle ready or ask a friend
to grab something, be sure to have a drink consistently in your hand, in order
to avoid temptation. And of course, make your drinks fun! When non-alcoholic
drinks are boring, of
course you will
be more interested in alcohol. Instead, choose a fun drink like punch,
non-alcoholic wine or alcohol-free beer, so you can feel included in the party,
without the concern of alcohol.
Tell an accountability partner.
Most
importantly: don’t go into the holidays sober without an accountability
partner. Accountability partners can help encourage you when times feel tough,
and remind you why you choose not to drink when you feel tempted. Tell a
trusted friend or family member about your decision not to drink this Christmas
season, and ask them to hold you accountable to your choice. Then when you walk
into the holiday party, you can feel confident and capable with a support system
by your side.
Find a new tradition.
Finally,
one of the biggest struggles during the holiday season is the
tradition of drinking. Oftentimes,
drinking alcohol is intricately tied into people’s traditions, and breaking
this bond can feel almost wrong. But, don’t worry. There are other traditions
out there you can try, and other traditions your friends or family will want to
try, too. Offer up a new tradition to start and invite people to come on board.
Not only will you feel more comfortable, but you might help others feel more
comfortable, as well.
The
holiday season tends to be synonymous with drinking alcohol. Between the
parties, the presents and the people, alcohol plays a major role during
Christmas. However, if you choose to live an alcohol-free lifestyle, there are
still ways to avoid drinking and embrace the celebration. Keep these tips in
mind as you head into the holiday season and celebrate a sober Christmas.