How to have a joyful, alcohol-free Christmas

If you're trying to quit or cut down on alcohol, Christmas and the New Year can be a challenging time. 

There are lots of boozy events like work parties, pressure to socialise and be busy, and more time spent with family, which can be triggering. In the Northern Hemisphere, it gets dark early, and we spend more time indoors when boredom can kick in; not to mention the low mood which often comes with the winter months.

But you don't have to miss out if you're aiming for an alcohol-free Christmas this year. One of the best things you can do is make the mindset shift from what you're missing out on to what you're gaining:

• Christmas spent being present for all the joyful moments.
• Real connection with your loved ones.
• A chance to listen to yourself and what your needs are.
• Better sleep and no hangovers.
• Choosing your long-term health and vitality over temporary escape.
• An opportunity to really take care of yourself and explore ways to bring yourself comfort and relaxation without alcohol.
• Prioritising your health and needs over other people's expectations.

Reframe alcohol

Remember, you can still have all the cosy and delicious aspects of Christmas drinks without the ethanol. Ethanol is a solvent used to clean bathroom floors and as a fuel. It is associated with seven kinds of cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia. It negatively affects your sleep and can increase anxiety and stress. The World Health Organisation say there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink.

Quitting alcohol or cutting down is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health. And the good news is, you don't have to miss out on cosy, Christmas vibes!

Things you can still have if you don’t drink alcohol

• beautiful bottles of drinks
• beautiful glasses
• adding a sprig of rosemary, berries, orange slices, ice, etc. to your drink to make it fancy
• cold, icy drinks
• warm, spiced drinks
• fizzy drinks - sparkling water mixed with whatever, non-alcoholic champagne, kombucha
• delicious juices - pomegranate, clementine, peach
• drinks with a kick, e.g. chilli or ginger
• all the cosy accoutrements, e.g. fairy-lights, candles, canapes, cosy jumpers, Christmas stockings, Christmas crackers, movies, games, gifts, laughter, joy, hugs

Top tips for a booze-free Christmas

Make some plans for how you can give yourself the best chance of making it through the season without drinking alcohol. 

• Stock up on delicious alcohol-free drinks.
• Tell people ahead of the party/event that you're not drinking alcohol to make sure they have alcohol-free options, or let them know you're taking your own.
• Visualise the events beforehand: imagine yourself having fun, drinking a delicious mocktail and enjoying the experience.
• Have an answer ready for the 'are you not drinking?' question.
• Remember: you don’t have to drink anything that doesn’t feel right for your well-being. It's your body and your life.
• Plan for what to do if you feel the urge to drink: go for a walk, have a break, or leave early.
• Offer to be the designated driver.
• Plan to leave early before everyone has got drunk, and you get to have an early night and wake up the next day feeling great.

More and more people are choosing to go alcohol-free or reduce how much they're drinking. You are definitely not alone and are truly courageous for making the choice to prioritise your health and well-being.

If you need support to quit drinking

Needing support is completely understandable: it's hard to make big changes alone. Search 'sober support groups' online, and you'll find lots of options for online and in-person groups to give you inspiration, motivation and to know you're not alone.

Reading quit-lit and books about how alcohol works on our bodies and brains is really helpful. There are also lots of podcasts about sobriety to give you that extra boost each day to stay on track.

A sober coach can also be a great option to help you break free from alcohol for good.  A sober coach is someone who has experienced struggling with alcohol and gives you support from a place of complete non-judgement. They will typically work with you for one to three months and help you to uncover beliefs about alcohol that are keeping you stuck, learn new healthy habits and ways to relax without booze, and give you support, advice and inspiration to live a joyful sober life.