Strategies for sober festive period

[glambaglady]

Hello

Day 69 here (after very unfortunate overindulgence which resulted in a trip to a&e plus stitches and permanent scar after fall ) Really keen to make this last but the festive period is so tricky. I always look forward to outings with a large glass of red, mulled wine, baileys, fizz on Xmas day etc.

So I wondered about a 'keep going thread' for anyone else wanting to remain sober thru December. Just to get to 1st jan AF - Then it will be the home straight.

Any positive stories on navigating work parties/ catch ups and special events without booze.... And any tips and strategies! This is a space for back-patting and encouragement..and advice on dealing with wine witch whispers to abandon sobriety for a couple of festive days (be gone!)

So who is sober and proud of themselves so far this December? And remind me why being sober is the way forward (for some of us anyway).

Congratulations on day 69! I am 14 months sober so this is Xmas #2 with no alcohol, these are my top tips!

Firstly xmas parties...make life easy for yourself by ALWAYS having a get out plan. I would always make sure I had parked round the corner and wasn't offering anyone a lift home, so when I needed to leave...I could leave quickly! Now I'm in longer-ish term sobriety I don't need to do this as much, but in early sobriety it was key. The moment the devil on my shoulder started telling me 'one won't hurt...' I was out!

Secondly stock up on non alc tipples! I get myself loads of fancy soda's, some nice N/A beer's, and most importantly luxury hot chocolate. Make these part of your xmas routine! My whole family now drink Nosecco on xmas morning, we even had some of Lidl's alcohol free mulled wine the other day and that was fab, having a stock at home also means you can take some with you if you go out to friends, so you ensure there is always a good non alc option for any event.

Finally it's important that the language and way we talk to yourselves reflects our intentions. You are not missing out by not having booze. You are gaining more room for chocolate and cheese (v important), you are going to be present throughout the whole of xmas and most importantly you aren't going to wake up with a hangover.

I said finally but my last point...always have a support system and don't so it alone. Be it posting on here, going to AA meetings, chatting to friends - if you are struggling speak up! There is no shame in it at all.

Hello,
Great idea for a thread.

I will be AF this Christmas. Decided in October to take a year off the booze after various issues, so it's day 69 here.
Been feeling much calmer, sleeping well & been told I'm appearing quite chipper!

Have been hitting the chocolate hard but feel that's justified & something I'll address in the NY.
I've found following AF accounts on Instagram & YouTube very helpful & enjoy a lot of quit lit.
On Christmas Eve I'm planning to follow the Icelandic Jolabokaflod tradition of sharing books with loved ones & then relaxing reading them & eating chocolate treats instead of my usual daft drinking, looking forward to it!

Also pinched a nice poster's idea of a wallchart & give myself a nice green sticker everyday & buy monthly sober badges on Etsy, it's a great visual & very encouraging.

Good luck to anyone trying this, it's challenging at times but so far I've enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.

Congrats on day 69! I’m 10 months sober so this will be my first sober Xmas too! I’m planning lots of lovely things that don’t involve alcohol - walks with friends to look at Xmas lights, brunches, Xmas movies with nice hot choc. I’m also being better about declining things I don’t want to go to (that normally I’d need to get drunk at to enjoy!). It’s daunting but my long term sober friend says Xmas without booze is magical…like being a kid again!!

May I join please. I am on another AF thread on here which is so supportive but you can never have too much of a good thing can you? And I'd love to have this thread and your support to give specific focus for AF over Christmas.
I'm day 61 having originally decided to stop drinking for a couple of weeks back in October after a loved one raised a concern about the regularity and volume of my drinking - I am so grateful to them, it was the kick I needed.
I am loving the clarity I have now, being 'present', looking better and the bank balance - treated my family to a few added extras on the money I've saved. Despite all of that, I know that Christmas with family will be a challenge. Next target is 100 days AF so your support in getting me through the rest of December to Dry Jan would be appreciated and I'll try to reciprocate.

Just seen this - great idea for a thread. I'm also joining a free event tomorrow 19th on how to manage the festive season without drinking too much. I think it's also on 20th too (repeated live). Here's the sign up page in case you're interested 90dayslater.co/holidays

Thank you @Verraten - I have just signed up. My strategy is to plan lots of lovely festive drinks and cocktails that I would t not normally have, all alcohol free of course. I have ordered some 'posh' tonics as well, so I can still have special drinks and take part in toasts etc with something that looks and tastes delicious.