Image by A Sober Girl's Guide
I'm dreaming of a booze-free Christmas - sang no one ever, I guess - but here we are, rocking it - and whether you've stopped drinking or just want to be careful and drink less, November and December can be tricky months to get through for those who celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are usually lots of events revolving around alcohol, be it "friendsgiving", secret Santas parties, office Christmas parties and of course the actual Christmas and New Year.
But fear not! With a few simple tips, you will slide into Dry January with no slip-ups or regrets. You have seen tips number 1 and 5 before (from my interview with Janey Lee Grace) , but I feel that they are worth repeating:
1.
When you arrive at a party and someone offers you a drink, say “Thank you, I’d love a drink, can I have something non-alcoholic please?”
2.
But just in case: Bring your own drinks!
Christmas parties ofren get creative when it comes to alcohol so you might see a lot of beautiful cocktails, craft beer and mulled wine. Make sure you insist on a nice glass, some ice, maybe garnish - and pour yourself a delicious kombucha, AF beer or some AF bubbles. Or bring the ingredients for the Lyre's eggnog cocktail or the mulled wine below!
3.
Plan - and attend - events that don’t involve alcohol
Take a friend or family member to watch a Christmas play or movie, stroll around the Christmas market, organize a winter wonderland walk in nature and enjoy a hot chocolate afterwards
4.
Offer to be the designated driver
Who wouldn’t love for you to bring them and take them home from the Christmas party?
5.
Make your sobriety non-negotiable
I cannot stress this enough. Be confident - without being rude 😊 and don’t feel that you owe anyone an explanation.
6.
Indulge in delicious AF drinks like this Lyre's eggnog cocktail (recipe by Lyre's)
60mL Lyre's American Malt
120mL eggnog
7.5mL premium maple syrup
90mL whipped cream
6 fresh pineapple chunks
Combine the ingredients and garnish with grated dark chocolate
Or this non-alcoholic mulled wine (recipe by mindfulmocktail.com)
2 cups pomegranate juice
2 cups cranberry juice
OR
750 ml bottle non-alcoholic Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
Add
2 cups water
8 cloves
6 blackberries (optional)
1 cinnamon stick
3 star anise
1 orange sliced
brown sugar to taste
Boil, strain, add garnish and enjoy
