How to avoid suspicion over Xmas

[kylieeee]

Girls, help!!

Had my BFP earlier this week for our first baby and we couldn't be happier - approx 5 weeks now

As I'm so early, we weren't planning on telling our families just yet... but with the festive period coming up, I'm already raising suspicions as I'm not usually one to turn down a drink

On the 23rd we're going to my older brothers and SIL for a Chinese, drinks and games. As my mum isn't confident driving in the dark anymore, I used this to my advantage and happily offered to drive! I told my brother today that I'm going to drive and he offered to pick us up and we can just get a taxi home. I tried using the excuse that taxis are expensive but SIL chipped in about how cheap they are and she wasn't letting me be boring and not drink (she's very pushy). I told them I would think about it but we have so many drinks coming up anyway so one night off would be welcomed and I really didn't mind. It was left for me to think about and let them know.

Christmas Eve won't be too bad as were round OHs grandparents and it won't be a drinking affair.

Christmas Day I'm round my mums. She's offered to pick me and OH up in the morning and said we can stay over at hers for the night but 1. I don't want her driving 30 mins to pick us up for NO reason when I can just drive (she doesn't like driving and she's quite old). And 2, I want to stay in my own bed. If I don't drink Christmas Day I'll raise suspicions, but if I pretend to drink I'm going to have to pay for a taxi home for no reason which will cost double time! or end up staying over which I don't want to do.

Boxing Day we're round OHs sisters and it's a big family day which will be full of drinks. My SIL has 2 children so she'll smell a rat if I don't drink. My mum and brother are also coming to this.

New Year's Eve I have a 20s themed Gatsby party which will be easier as I can just pretend to drink there and we'll all share a group taxi so it won't be a lot.

How the hell am I supposed to do this I feel like antibiotics is the oldest line in the book and even if I pretend to drink I'm going to have to fork out for taxis we don't need...

In the dutch news yesterday they did a report that drinking alcohol tends to increase your chance of cancer with 10% (forgot which types) and it also increases the chance for dementia. I'm seriously thinking about going teetotal and I'm not even pregnant. So maybe you can pull it off like that?

Or ,depending on the time that you are invited, can you invent a thing that you need to go to by car so you're driving anyway?

I hate people that try to force you to drink. I always suspect that they have a drinking problem that they are trying to disguise.

I told everyone I had anti bs for a tooth abscess. I do like a drink and noone questioned it lol. My sil had experienced a recent miscarriage too so I didn't want to make it harder for her and my bro either.

I would also tell everyone I am on antibiotics and can't drink.

I am not sure you’ll be able to not drink without raising questions unless driving and if people are trying to deter you from driving then I don’t know!
I’d probably just tell people as it is just close family but obviously do whatever you are comfortable with.

Will anyone notice if you just accept lifts and take drinks but don’t drink them? I managed a whole week away with friends and no one twigged. I’d just take a glass when offered, wave it around and get DH to drink it when no one was looking.

Everybody knows antibiotics means you’re pregnant. Don’t use that.

I’d just hold a drink without drinking it.

Only way to do antibiotics is to start the I'm in pain posts and texts now so by Wednesday they'll know you are actually on antibiotics.

Place a bet with people and have it the last person to drink alcohol wins the kitty!

Or just tell them.

Tell them! Will be a wonderful xmas present 😁

If you say no or tell them you’re on antibiotics they’ll probably guess I think.
Just take one and nurse it all day. 🤷‍♀️
Congratulations btw.

I'm using the "I'm on antibiotics" for folliculitis and it's a rash on my back or thighs (whichever I feel in the mood to say) so I can't show them. The antibiotics I'm taking are keflex if they start asking questions. Haha! It's helped me get through work Christmas drinks/parties so far 😂

We have an on call rota at work so I've told family that I drew the short straw and have to stay sober in case I get called in.

Unless you're with the same people 2 days running, just say that you overdid it the previous day so are having a day off.

I hate the antibiotics line.

I am on them at the minute and my doctor told me I could drink.

I think there's very few antibiotics that you can't drink with, so if you do use that line make sure you google the type!

Tell them you're on metronidazole for a tooth abscess! That is the only one you definitely can't drink on, and what they use for dental infections xx

If you say you are on antibiotics, everyone will know, though they may be polite enough not to say. It's the oldest line in the book.

Honestly, in my experience you need an ally who can help you keep your glass topped up with tonic or something that can pass as alcohol. Therefore if someone offers, you can say you've just had a refill, thanks. Ally can also subtly drink drinks for you that you havent been able to refuse, prosecco etc.

Claiming to be a) mildly hungover or b) driving early the next morning will also give a decent excuse for why you aren't wanting to get pissed but if you really want to keep it secret you need to fool people into thinking you're at least drinking a little bit.

Thank you so much for all of your replies and lovely well wishes I think the easiest thing to do is just tell them, it will be a nice Xmas surprise and if the worst were to happen (TOUCH WOOD!) it's close family so we'd be telling them anyway for support. Xx

I think that's a good idea OP! Otherwise you're just going to be stressed out and not enjoying yourself.

OP - just read your update - lovely idea, congratulations and Merry Christmas

I'll be 7 weeks on xmas day and am telling close family as there is no way I could've got through Xmas without them guessing. I've had a work do and a wedding this week, think I've mainly got away with it, either holding my drink and my husband drinking it or drinking just tonic. One person did notice I wasn't drinking at my works party (much harder as my husband wasn't there), but they knew I'd had a recent miscarriage so thought if anyone guessed, it would be them. I know they'll be discrete though and don't think my team guessed! It's so hard, I'm glad the only celebrations I have left are with family.

Tell people you are ttc and articles youve read say not to drink.

5 weeks is so very early to be announcing!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am 19 weeks and have managed to hide it from work/ friends so far. What helped massively was to have one person who knew (I told one person at work but I guess your DH could help) and then either took drinks and pretended or drank non alcoholic versions without people realising. I think antibiotics is a massive giveaway...

I bought a 'botanical' drink from asda which looked like gin liquer. It was rhubarb and something so with tonic or whatever... noone noticed :)

groceries.asda.com/product/no-low-alcohol-spirits/asda-extra-special-non-alcoholic-rhubarb-ginger-flavour-botanical-drink/1000133331427 this is it if you are interested

tell them you're taking antibiotics, classic go to... the ones I'm prescribed can cause a heart attack if mixed with alcohol.

Regina - thats the one I'm on for an infected root, I checked online because it seemed odd the pharmacist was so insistent I cant drink until 3 days after the end date.