How to Host a Fun, Healthy, Sober Social Event
Are you trying to improve your health or lose weight but find that alcohol continues to cause weight gain? Here are some tips for hosting a sober event that will help you optimize your health.
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As a culture, we tend to rely on alcohol (and maybe a little too much) to have a good time – from the big night out to dinner with friends, often with a drink in hand. For this reason, it can be daunting to imagine how you will maintain your social life if you decide to limit your alcohol consumption. But in reality, it’s entirely possible to completely revitalize your social calendar with low-key, fun events, and this guide will show you how.
Perhaps you have a sober friend with whom you would like to be more accommodating, or perhaps you have a chronic illness such as irritable bowel syndrome or diabetes that is made worse by alcohol. We don’t talk about it much, but alcohol can also be a real obstacle to weight loss and health in general. If you’re committed to something like Whole30, you may be looking for a way to still socialize and have fun without sabotaging your hard work.
After discovering meditation, you will gradually realize that it is possible to have a good time without alcohol – and miss the dreaded hangover the next day! – I started hosting sober, health-conscious music events and learned a few things along the way. Whether you’re planning a large event or something as small as a dinner party, here are some ways to ensure you and your guests have a fantastic time.
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1. Let people know that alcohol is out of the question
Whether you’re having a party, a beach picnic, or a ping pong competition, it’s likely that people will ask for alcohol and perhaps bring their own. If they really want to drink, sure, but it’s perfectly reasonable to ask them to stop drinking alcohol and let people know that you have plenty of alternatives.
This gives people the option to decline the invitation if the idea of sober socializing scares them — which is a shame, but it can certainly happen. If you really want your event to be sober, but you’re having trouble being assertive and upholding the law, there are plenty of light-hearted ways to say it, like, “I know you all have work in the morning, so I did you a favor and made this party alcohol-free!”
2. Help people relax naturally
Games are an effective way to get people talking and out of their heads. If you’re looking for something simple to entertain a small group, a games console, multiple controllers, and something everyone can enjoy (Mario Kart, anyone?), you’ll be able to break the ice right away, while there are plenty of different options for other settings.
For an indoor event, consider hosting murder mystery games or other events classic board gamesor even the adaptation of drinking games with funny but not intoxicating burglaries. If your event is outdoors, the world is your oyster when it comes to entertainment options – with backyard games like corn hole, giant Jenga, and water balloon dodgeball all being easy and affordable options. If you’re having trouble finding something, you can find plenty of ideas online that you can put a price tag on.
For a large event like a wedding, renting arcade-style gaming equipment, photo booths or dance mats, or even hosting a larger themed game (like a twist on an Easter egg hunt) are ways to get people talking and laughing. You’d be surprised how many adults jump into a bouncy castle or slide down an inflatable slide when they get the chance, while dress up boxes are always a hit.
3. Offer delicious food and drinks
The problem with a party or event is that people like to feel like they’re having fun – and in our culture, the best way to do that is with a cocktail (and maybe a few social cigarettes). A wide variety of dishes is an alternative way to show that everyday life has been put on hold and get your guests in the party mood. Evoke feelings of celebration and sharing, and your guests will feel pampered and relaxed.
Offering non-alcoholic drinks with something new is always a hit and a great way to add some sparkle to your event. Flavored hot chocolate, delicious coffee, mocktails or Indian yogurt drinks are great options, while aguas frescas, slushies and milkshakes are delicious and your guests can experiment as long as you provide the raw materials.
4. Remember that a little newness can go a long way
It’s not just drinks where new products can come in handy at a drinks-free event. When alcohol is served at a party, it’s often the center of attention – and when the alcohol runs out, people can feel like the evening is pointless. When you take that out of the equation, you get a great opportunity to do something much more interesting – and unleash your creativity!
It doesn’t even have to be exceptionally original, but something else can also be very tasty. For example, if you’re having a backyard barbecue and your friends have a group, try organizing and hosting a “mini-festival” complete with face painting and fairy lights. Alternatively, you can create a DIY pizza or dessert bar with lots of toppings (some popular, some maybe a little unusual), or hire a dance instructor to guide everyone in a super cool version of the electric slide (one way to get sober people on the dance floor!).
5. Don’t worry too much
All you can do is give people the tools to have fun and make things happen. It’s also helpful to remember that you’re offering something that many people dream of. Millennials and younger people are drinking less, and it will be a breath of fresh air for your pregnant or non-drinking friends who may have been bored at parties for months. And for the legions of people who wish they could drink less and find ways to relax without alcohol., Your event could show them just how possible this is.
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