The holidays can be stressful and exhausting enough without taxing your system with booze and hangovers. It can be even more difficult if you are in recovery or just trying to stay sober to reap the utmost enjoyment of this joyous season. It is fun and can be easy to maintain alcohol-free holidays.
The Benefits of Alcohol-Free Holidays
In addition to keeping you more physically well, there are other great benefits of maintaining sobriety during the holidays that you may not have considered, like:
- Avoiding holiday weight gain. All those empty alcohol calories add up, or you can use some of those calories for a couple more holiday treats.
- Being in the moment and remembering all events clearly.
- Steering clear of emotional outbursts or holiday drama. No guilt or regret or annual holiday depression.
- Saving money! Think of what you can do with the money you save by not buying alcohol.
Alternatives to Alcohol
If you are trying to stay alcohol-free and are concerned about having alcohol-free options at an event, make and take your own. These days people have so many dietary issues that it is usually not even questioned when someone brings their own alternatives.
If you are hosting a party, a fun and festive option is a coffee and hot cocoa bar. Start with a couple of gourmet coffees and maybe even a small espresso-maker. Accompany it with a variety of creamers or fresh milk from a local dairy. Add extras such as:
- Whipped cream
- Marshmallows
- Sprinkles
- Cherries
- Cinnamon sticks
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Candy canes
You can also make the drinks special by offering high-quality beverages like artisanal and specialty sodas or home-brewed teas.
It’s Mocktail Time!
Holiday drinks are not about the booze. They are about the flavor and frivolity of the day. Try some of these delicious alcohol-free holiday drink recipes:
Punch is a great option because those who do choose to imbibe can add alcohol. This works well for eggnog or coquito too.
Help Awaits
If maintaining an alcohol-free holiday is proving to be more than you can achieve on your own and you are concerned it is a problem, contact Summit Malibu. We have resources and treatment services to help you achieve sobriety success.
