The holidays can be a beautiful time full of string lights, parties, family, food and drinks.
But what if you’re trying to avoid the drinks? You’ll have to sit out of the holiday parties altogether, right?
No way!
Whether you’re trying to stay sober in all aspects of your life, or you’ve simply been conned into serving as your friends’ designated driver, there are several ways you can manage to stay sober and make it to all the holiday parties on your list!
So grab your reindeer necktie and your ugly sweater, then head out to the holiday party with our five top tips for avoiding party drinking!
1. Forget What Others Think
Peer pressure is a very real thing. But if you’re looking to avoid drinking at the holiday party, it’s time to defeat peer pressure’s hold on you once and for all by using this one simple trick. Forget what people think.
You’re not being a party-pooper by skipping out on the drinks. You’re just not. As long as you’re not ragging on your fellow party-goers for indulging in that glass of wine, your sobriety and their drinking are completely and totally separate acts. Surprise!
Don’t let paranoia about what other people are thinking of you keep you from enjoying the party or maintaining your dry night. Forget what other people might think about your soda, and focus on the moment!
If you’re worried about having to explain yourself to everyone you pass, consider tipping a bit of coke into a wine glass or pour any sort of beverage into a rock glass so you’ll have something to hold that looks plenty like what everyone else is drinking! Trust us, no one will ask to try your drink.
Oh, and feel free to lie! Santa isn’t listening.
2. Stay Busy and Involved
Lots of time, we’re moved to start drinking not because we love the taste of straight vodka, but because we like the ways in which it loosens us up to socialize. If it’s your goal to get out of this party without drinking alcohol, it’s important that you get a headstart on socializing by putting yourself out there and staying busy.
In many cases, we’re pressured to start drinking because we don’t want to miss out on what’s happening around us. We want to remain a part of the action, even if we’re not so keen on drinking tonight. It’s important to keep in mind that, although your friends’ laughter may be getting a little rowdier and louder with each glass of wine, their giddiness doesn’t have to mean you sit this one out.
Remember that the holiday season is all about spending time with the people you love. Don’t let the fact that you’re not drinking keep you from indulging with your friends and family who are-socialize as normal and enjoy this precious time by being involved with loved ones.
3. Bring Your Own Drinks
If part of what you worry about when it comes to staying sober at a holiday party is not having any options other than drinking, it might be a good trick to come prepared with your own drinks!
You can totally stick to your go-to Coke or La Croix-or you can take things a bit further and bring along the ingredients for a fun holiday mocktail! There are lots of non-alcoholic “wine spritzers” and “beers” you might like to try at the holiday party-but whatever you choose, just make sure you’ve got something yummy to sip on!
Much of what you decide to do in this arena depends on whether you’re trying to keep your sobriety on the down-low, or if you’re owning your DD-status. If it’s the latter, make sure your carpool contributes to your soda stash-and if it’s the former, just make sure you feel comfortable and content with your beverage choice.
4. Treat Yourself to Snacks
You read that right, it’s time to chow down! Think of all the calories you’re saving yourself by not indulging in the liquid calories of beer and wine. Plus, your dedication to staying sober tonight! It’s only right to treat yourself to some killer goodies.
Grab a glass of sparkling water and focus on all that delicious food. Take some of everything and you’ll never have to wonder what you should be doing with your hands.
The other bonus to this tip is that people often linger around the food so you’ll be right there in the buzz of the action! Your hands won’t be idle, you’ll be busy in conversation, neck-deep in pigs-in-blankets. The only thing you’ll think about alcohol is “Alcohol Who?”
5. Be Proud of Your Sobriety
One of the best ways to combat feeling bad or uncomfortable about your sobriety is to make an active effort to be proud of saying “No,” even if it’s just for the night. If people ask you why you’re not drinking, there are few things more empowering than being able to proudly tell them the answer!
Whether you’re not drinking for personal or health-related reasons, or because you’ve been stuck as DD, refraining from drinking at holiday parties is an admirable and tough thing to do. You should be proud of yourself and the impact of your decision!
If you’re comfortable enough to own it, do it-and maybe have a good self-deprecating joke on hand in case you need it. If you’re not ready to broadcast the fact that you’re not drinking, take a moment to yourself. Let yourself smile and be proud of your sobriety. Consider taking some time to read more now about your sobriety to help you along the way. Oh, and grab another cookie!
Want More Tips on How to Back off from Party Drinking?
Staying away from alcohol in daily life can be hard enough-staying away from it at a holiday party when everyone around you is sipping on one cocktail or another can be downright intimidating!
Just because you’ve decided to refrain from party drinking, however, doesn’t mean you have to stay home all season! Take the opportunity to be around loved ones, and do your best to stay away from the drinks.
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