ALCOHOL HAS A funny way of turning a pleasant, congenial holiday get-together into an awkward, contentious, or even tragic event— especially when it’s consumed to excess. So, why not shift the focus of your holiday party away from alcohol? Better yet, why not leave alcohol out of the party equation altogether?
Here are five good reasons to consider banning the booze this year:
1) You want everyone to get home in one piece As host, the last thing you want to happen is for a family member, friend, or coworker to become another tragic “statistic” on the way home from your party. Nor would you want anyone else on the road to be injured or killed by a guest who became intoxicated at your party, drinking alcohol you provided. Winter driving conditions are hazardous enough in Northwest Ohio without the additional risk factor of alcohol consumption.
2) You’re entertaining a diverse group If your party will be attended by a group of people with diverse backgrounds, value systems, or religious beliefs, the presence of alcohol could make for some awkward situations. There’s also the potential that serving alcohol could throw a recovering alcoholic off his or her stride. If you aren’t confident that all your guests will be comfortable in a setting where alcohol is present, why not avoid serving it?
3) You want to set a good example
As every parent knows, kids tend to do as we do, not as we say. If they perceive that adults view alcohol as a party “necessity,” they’ll be more likely to adopt that same philosophy. That doesn’t mean every child who observes an adult consuming alcohol at a holiday party is destined for alcoholism, but it’s healthy for kids to learn by example that it’s okay to party without drinking.
4)Acertain disagreeable “someone” will be attending Every family, social group, or workplace includes that one individual who becomes downright boorish when drinking. (Remember, there’s a good reason alcohol is sometimes called “loudmouth soup.”) Alcohol’s tendency to lower inhibitions can lead to thoughtless opinion sharing, heated disagreements, and otherwise inappropriate behavior. Who needs that at a holiday party?
5) You’d prefer to be sharp the next day The holiday season is more akin to a marathon than a sprint, and making it through all those gatherings and obligations takes a little stamina. For example, if you celebrate Christmas and have young children, you’ll probably be up late into the night on Christmas Eve putting Santa’s gifts under the tree and then have to get up at the crack of dawn on Christmas to watch the kids open them. The last thing you want to do is face that situation with a hangover.
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