So you are the life of the party, hey?

Or maybe you used to be, back when getting trashed and punishing your liver for simply existing was how you lived your best life.

Maybe now you’ve tamed down a bit, decided to take your health goals a little more seriously or are looking to simply cut back consumption.

Something like one or two glasses of wine and you call it a night maybe? After all, those hangover headaches are no joke après 30, amiright?

Or perhaps you are more like me, where I have completely written off alcohol altogether for an indiscriminate amount of time….and completely based on the inability to survive any type of post-drinking requirement. Be a decent parent? Nope, not with this raging headache…Work a full day online, writing code, editing sound and servicing clients? Forgetaboutit. Or there is the major negatory that is simply to move my body post 1 glass of wine…where my entire cerebral cortex feels electric and rattling about like … like… oh yah! that baby rattle you need to seek and destroy next.

For me, drinking alcohol has always been an issue, either in the physical effects or the lack of cool points I acquire whilst under the influence. I’m sure everyone has a regretful story that involves alcohol, and if not, it’s probably because they have avoided the stuff altogether.

So how can you still enjoy the party, and more importantly, not make other people uncomfortable around you? I got you boo. Here are my top five party games to whip out to ensure you are not the square at any holiday event.

But before you read on, if I piqued your interest in why I choose to avoid alcohol and how this decision has impacted my life, I would love for you to check out episode #08 of the podcast. I have the best conversation with Psychotherapist (and 19 years sober) Veronica Valli about how to live a ‘soberful’ life and what that means in today’s social landscape. Just press play and scroll down for my very best party tricks that you have got to know.

Top 5 Tips to be the Raddest Sober Party Guest

1. Focus on the food

   • Take the focus of the beverages straight out of the gate and create some delicious finger foods. Potluck is always a fun way to try your friends favorite dishes too. Here is a list from good ol’ Martha Stewart of the easiest party food ever.

2. Make a super delish mocktail

   • If you can entice one of your friends away from alcohol for even one drink that night, may as well cram in a bunch of manganese and folate while you are at it, right?! Dwight K Schrute would be so proud…try this:

     • Beet Tonic Spritzer

       1 ¼ oz. beet juice + 1 oz. honey syrup + ½ oz. lemon juice

       Shake ingredients with ice. Double strain over ice in Collins glass. Top with 3/4 oz. ginger beer and tonic water. Stir slightly and garnish with orange peel. 
       —From Taylor Rae Bunch, mocktail mixologist at Posana restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina

3. Be your very own Dancing Queen

   • Music is going to help everyone lighten up and is a great way to liven any party up! Spend a little time searching out the perfect Spotify Playlist that everyone will enjoy. This is one of my favorite party mixes on Spotify.

4. Have a killer party game up your sleeve

   • I made this game up a while ago and it has been so.much.fun. It’s risky and thrilling and somewhat harmless and a great way to have that silly fun feeling with friends that usually accompanies a drinking game. I call it Spin the Cell Phone, and basically its like spin the bottle, except whomever you land on, you and that person swap cell phone for 30 seconds (or 1 minute, whatever you collectively determine) and SNOOP! Have another friends phone man the timer and see what ya’ll discover about each other! It’s a fun, cheeky way to have some fun with your fellow partygoers and requires zero booze…unless you need a little to conjure up the nerve to play 😉

5. Dress.To.Kill.

   • Why do we keep our fancy clothes for special occasions when every day we are alive is so damn magical and special? Dig out that snazzy sequin gown, throw on a cute vintage tee, some gold bamboo hoops and get your sassiest heels out girlfriend, because tonight (and every night) is your Coachella and you have come prepared to slay the sober party game in style!

These are some of my best sober party tricks to keep the festivities fresh and fun this upcoming holiday season, I hope you will try out Spin the Cell Phone, it is the best time you’ll have all year!

with love, light & belief in you!

xx,