This will be my 5th booze-free Christmas!! So you could say I have a bit of experience, navigating the winter holidays sober. Therefore I decided to share 24 Sober Christmas Tips with you today, that will hopefully help you to get through the holidays sober, and more importantly: happily so…!
Here we go…
24 Tips for a wonderful Christmas, without alcohol!
1
Go to a Sober Christmas Event instead of your regular Christmas gig! Say no to everything else (just say that you are focusing on yourself and your sobriety this year and that you’ll be back in 2024) and go for it! Check sober Christmas celebrations near you by having a look online and check out the Social Event calendars from Sober Communities like Sober Socials, The Phoenix, Sober Girl Society, Sans Bar & Bee Sober.
2
Go crazy on food instead of drinks… Eat as much as you can, including every single snack & dessert on the table! Don´t feel guilty as there´s no need – It´s Christmas, so let yourself indulge in some serious eating!
3
Have a (sober) buddy on speed dial for the night. Just so you can message or call each other during the evening in case of difficult moments for support.
4
Make a list of reasons that you don’t drink and pick a favourite one before you leave, one that feels most comfortable. One of my favourites is: “I don´t drink anymore because it doesn´t add anything to my life”. Pick one that rolls off your tongue easily, one that you´re really feeling.
5
Make sure to always have a drink in your hand! This way you won’t get into any possible uncomfortable situations by people asking you what you want to drink (and therefore there will be no need to explain yourself).
6
Drive to the event so you have an easy excuse as to why you’re not drinking. Plus you will be less tempted to drink as drunk driving is obvs a HUGE no-no.
7
Inform the host of the party in advance that you might head out early/ier. Just to set the right expectations, prevent being seen as rude and to soften your Irish Exit 😉 – What an ´Irish Exit´ is? It is sneaking out of a party without telling anyone.
Ironically the expression ´Irish Exit´ comes from the belief that it was used by drunk people leaving gatherings without talking to anyone to avoid revealing how drunk they were.
8
Plan something really fun (and/or active!) for early next morning. That will keep you on your toes and you´ll have something to look forward to. For instance a brisk walk with your dog, a yoga class or a coffee (and cake) with a friend.
9
Offer your help to the host during the day/evening. Maybe you can help serve snacks, entertain the little ones, be the DJ, help in the kitchen, literally anything to keep you distracted and occupied during the event and to prevent from getting bored while everyone is getting tipsy/drunk.
10
´Check out´ and nip to the toilet (or your car, or the garden) for a 5-min ‘break’ if it all gets too much/triggering. It will do a world of good to just peep out for a moment, gather yourself and then step back into the room with brand new mojo! This is especially useful when you´re a more introverted type (yep, me!) and you need a brief solo-moment to get your energy flowing again.
11
Confide in someone that you don’t drink that evening, someone who will be at the event. It will hold you accountable and she/he can support you on the spot in case you need it.
12
Ok, maybe not very nice BUT as an emergency, if you get cold feet on the day of the event and feel that it might be too triggering or simply not worth your time (sober), don´t go. Use any excuse (“I feel a bit under the weather and I think it’s better if I stay home tonight…”) or simply tell the host honestly that you´re not feeling it.
13
Bring your own alcohol-free drinks! If possible… if not, find out in advance what kind of N/A (non-alcoholic) options they offer at the event and whether it’s ok to BYO (Bring Your Own) in case there´s not much there. Are you looking for nice alcohol-free drinks? Check out these great online shops that only sells N/A drinks: Spirited Away & Drink No Low (US), The Blue Dolphin (Spain) or Alcohol Free Co (UK).
14
Having a tough moment? Play the tape forward ⏭ Think about tomorrow and the deadly hangover you’ll be facing – You don’t want that! Also: these moments are fleeting. Give it 10 mins and you don’t even want that glass of sh*t anymore 😉 Plus: All sober firsts make you stronger and more prepared for the next one so think about how happy and proud you will be when you got your first sober Christmas under your belt!
15
If the Christmas (or New Year’s Eve) event is at someone’s house, then offer to come early to help and set up the party! This makes you feel at home and part of the event. It also cuts out the sometimes awkward moment of arrival so it´s a double win.
16
Host your own party – Booze-free! Tell your (sober) friends there will be no alcohol but lots of fun. Think games, pool table, DJ/dance floor, karaoke, whatever tickles your fancy. Make it your dream event with everything in it that makes it the perfect Christmas for YOU (and for your sober buddies!).
17
Try and find other non-/hardly drinkers at the party to connect with. You might not be the only one not drinking. There could be someone on antibiotics, having to work early in the morning, someone who is driving, pregnant or you could run into another sober goddess, just like yourself and find your new sober BFF🙌🏻
18
Promise to give yourself something that makes you really happy if you make it through the night alive (oops, I mean sober haha). Like treat yourself to a spa day or buy that overpriced candle that you had your eyes on for the last 3 months!
19
Arrive early. Simply because everyone will still be sober at that point and that way it is easier and more fun to connect with your family & friends.
20
Focus on the thing YOU LOVE about Christmas celebrations. It could be the dancing, it could be board games, it could be the fact that the whole family is together, spending quality time. Whatever it is, focus on THAT and look forward to THAT!
21
Have a clear exit plan before you leave your house. This way you don’t stay longer than you really want to, and you avoid getting into situations that can end up to be triggering.
22
LEAVE whenever you want, this is an important one! You might be done partying after a couple of hours or you suddenly might get a pang of temptation to drink: Leave!
23
If you don’t feel ready to socialise sober at a particular event, say NO and turn the invitation down. No is a 100% acceptable answer. For instance simply say: “Thank you so much for inviting me, sounds lovely, but I can’t make it. Next time (year)!”
24
Try not to focus too much on the not-drinking – Let go of any expectations (good or bad). Don´t make your not-drinking the star of the night and last but not least, HAVE FUN…!
Wishing you guys the best Sober Christmas you have ever had❤️
PS: Are you still looking for a festive alcohol-free bubbly? Then check out this page…
