Wishing you a very Merry AF Christmas!
Ah, the Festive Season! đ
For many, itâs the most wonderful time of the yearâbut for some, it might be a little daunting, especially if itâs your first alcohol-free Christmas or youâre spending the day solo.
If this is your first festive season as a sober legend, you might have already faced the inevitable question:
"But youâll have a drink at Christmas, wonât you?"
Itâs tempting to dodge it with a âweâll seeâ and deal with it laterâbut guess what? That âlaterâ is now, WAHHHHHHHHH! Letâs get planning so you can breeze through the holidays feeling fabulous and confident. đŞâ¨
Step 1: Celebrate YOU! đĽł
Take a moment to pat yourself on the backâwhether youâve been alcohol-free for 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, every single day counts. Youâre living a life on your terms, sans hangovers. BRAVO, my friend! đ
Write a list of all the amazing benefits youâve noticed since ditching the booze. Better sleep? Clearer skin? More energy? Stick that list somewhere visibleâyour phone, fridge, or journalâand keep it handy for when the festive temptations start to creep in.
While youâre at it, revisit your âwhy.â Why did you choose to go alcohol-free in the first place? Maybe itâs for your health, mental clarity, or just wanting to wake up remembering your Christmas dinner! Keep this reminder close, so you donât end up haunted by the Ghost of Christmas Past. đťđ
Step 2: Boundaries Are Your Best Friend đ
Setting boundaries is self-love in action. Theyâre not about keeping people out; theyâre about keeping you safe. Hereâs how:
Plan ahead: Meet friends for a festive coffee or morning walk instead of a night at the pub.
Hosting? Ask guests to bring their own booze, and stock up on plenty of alcohol-free options for yourself. (Pro tip: buy more than you think youâll needârunning out of AF drinks can be a sneaky temptation.) đš
Prepare your comeback: If someone insists you âjust have one,â have a positive, confident response ready:
âI donât drink because I feel amazing without it!â đĽ°
This is much harder to argue with than âI donât drink because it makes me feel terrible,â which often invites unhelpful comments like, âOh, just donât drink as much!â đ
Seriously, practice your response out loudâbecause no one wants to trip up on their words and end up with an eggnog they didnât ask for (or worseâŚ!)
Step 3: Spending Christmas Solo? Make It Special đŤ
Last year, I had Christmas aloneâby choice! And you know what? It can be lovely if you plan it with intention.
Here was my plan:
đ A menu of my favourite foods (two starters, dessert, and a cheese boardâno turkey in sight!).
đ A book Iâve been saving for the day.
đ A walk to the sea, because nothing beats that fresh air.
âď¸ Journaling and goal-setting for the New Yearâmy favourite way to reflect and dream big.
The key is to fill the day with things that light you up and make you feel good. Whether thatâs volunteering, binge-watching cheesy movies, or treating yourself to the fanciest chocolates, make it a day to celebrate you! đ
Step 4: Donât Forget the Days After đ
The festive season doesnât end on Christmas Day! Plan something exciting for Boxing Day or the days following. For me, thatâs usually a catch-up with friendsâor even a cold dip in the sea (hello, sea swimmer life đââď¸). Waking up fresh, regret-free, and ready to tackle the cheese board leftovers is the ultimate gift to myself.
Final Thoughts đ
Being sober at Christmas isnât always easy, but itâs 100% possibleâand it can give you the Christmas youâve always dreamed of. You donât need Santa to deliver it; you already have the power to make it happen.
From all of us at SoberBuzz Scotland, we wish you a magical, alcohol-free Christmas and a prosperous New Year. â¨
P.S. Weâre kicking off the new year with a fantastic event this January, and we canât wait to see you there! đ Itâs the perfect opportunity to celebrate your alcohol-free journey, connect with like-minded legends, and keep those positive vibes rolling into 2025. Donât miss outâgrab your tickets here today and join the fun! đď¸
