Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Any ideas for keeping this a secret at the work Christmas party?

22 replies

yummymango · 09/12/2013 11:22

All my colleagues know me, I like my wine, and they will think something is a miss if I am drinking squash at the Christmas party. I can't even really not go, because I organised it! Has anyone got any good ideas for how I can not raise suspicion? I don't think the 'I am on antibiotics' will be good enough. I will only be 8 weeks and certainly not ready to tell work yet.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
HeeHiles · 09/12/2013 11:24

Just say you had a skinfull last night and can't face another drink! Congratulations!

OddFodd · 09/12/2013 11:25

Sip the same glass of wine all evening. If it's a standing up event, rather than formal seated, just keep putting glasses down and wandering around the room. No one will notice because they will all be too bladdered.

caketinrosie · 09/12/2013 11:25

Yes! Blueberry juice looks identical to red wine and it's good for you both and it's yummy. Drop a couple of cartons off at the venue during the day to avoid it not being in stock. Congrats op on your little bun in your tum. Summer babies are fab! Xmas Grin

AngelaDaviesHair · 09/12/2013 11:26

Say you're having G&Ts or V&Ts for a change then just have tonic all night. Or even sparkling water. As long as it sparkles and has ice and lemon in it everyone will assume it is alcoholic.

eurochick · 09/12/2013 11:27

I just had my office party in the middle of an IVF cycle. I let them pour me a glass and had a few tiny sips and a lot of water. With a glass in front of me, no one seemed to notice that I wasn't drinking.

EdithWeston · 09/12/2013 11:45

People will notice far less than you think.

Either spin out a single glass all evening. Or if you want to avoid completely, secrete a bottle of something that looks like your usual tipple (low or zero alcohol wine, grape or apple juice). Or drink plain tonic water, which everyone will assume has gin in it.

AnnaBanana25 · 09/12/2013 11:47

I got asked this at my xmas party last Friday. I said I was driving early in the morning and didnt want to be hungover.

mrsmugoo · 09/12/2013 11:53

Yeah you can get away with nursing one glass all evening or just drinking tonics with ice and lemon.

Good luck and congratulations!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 09/12/2013 11:54

Wave a glass of wine around, it looks like you are drinking.

qazxc · 09/12/2013 12:13

antibiotics, you have to drive early next morning/have to bring car home and are scared of getting caught drink driving, you're not feeling very well and can't face booze. If any of these excuses don't work you could fake it (as long as noone gets you a drink).

Original poster
yummymango · 09/12/2013 12:19

Some great ideas here thank you!! Unfortunately I don't drive, and will be at work the next day so can't use that as an excuse! I think I will nurse one small glass of wine through the meal and then switch to 'gin & tonics' (without the gin). Smile

OP posts:
PenguinsDontEatPancakes · 09/12/2013 12:33

I say this every time, but antibiotics is as good as an announcement. People think it works because, funnily enough, most people are far too polite to quiz you. The reality is that at least 50% of the women there will know exactly what it means. I can't count the number of times I've heard this excuse and then waited for the announcement to come 2-3 months later!

I would say what others have done, don't try and make a fake excuse for not drinking, just wave around a glass of wine during the meal (meals are the hardest bit TBH, parties are easy) and then move onto something that looks like alcohol but isn't.

greentshirt · 09/12/2013 12:50

Another tip is to be the one pouring the wine for 'you' and everyone else, no one will have any clue your glass was never empty!

Plateofcrumbs · 09/12/2013 14:38

I've successfully managed to get through all my xmas events except the big office do which is looming next week. Definitely the hardest one as it involves a sit down meal. I think I'll have to go with the 'nurse a glass of wine' option but being unreasonably paranoid about consuming alcohol. A few sips of wine at 8 weeks to maintain appearances won't hurt will it??

PenguinsDontEatPancakes · 09/12/2013 14:47

No, a few sips of wine will make no difference at all. Even a unit or two as a one off is totally, totally fine.

qazxc · 09/12/2013 16:07

what about very low alcohol stuff like buck's fizz drunk slowly.

OddFodd · 09/12/2013 16:10

I sat through an entire meal nursing a single glass of wine (which is fine btw) and no one noticed. There were lots of different bottles on the table and I said the person on my left 'oh no thanks, persononright has just topped me up' and vice versa.

Plateofcrumbs · 09/12/2013 17:09

Thanks for reassurance about sipping a glass of wine - rationally I know this is should be OK but pregnancy has made me an irrational worrier!

And still feeling the guilt for a couple of boozy nights out before 4wks when I didn't know I was pregnant - again I know rationally I shouldn't worry but...

OddFodd · 09/12/2013 17:23

We've all been there plate ... :)

Congrats on your pregnancy (and yours too yummymango!)

DPotter · 09/12/2013 17:34

if you're the organiser, you could say you want to keep a clear head for paying the bill and you'll catch up later!

Original poster
yummymango · 09/12/2013 22:19

Thanks for all the congratulations! And for the tips, I am not adverse to a few sips of wine now and then, in fact it will be quite nice so I am going to relax and have a few sips and not worry about it :)

OP posts:
Original poster
yummymango · 09/12/2013 22:21

DPotter - good idea in theory, however, I have never been that sensible before so I think I would get some funny looks if I tried that one!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page