6 Ways to Pull Off the Best NA Soiree This Year
Nov 18, 2024
Pulling off the best non-alcoholic (NA) holiday soirée is all about creating a festive, fun, and inclusive environment without relying on alcohol.
I’m Heather, the ultimate party girl turned sober coach. Trust me when I say I would not sustain sobriety if I wasn’t having any fun. I host more parties now that I am sober than I ever did as a drinker. I have curated this holiday guide just for you this holiday season.
Photo courtesy of @Ditchedthedrink / Heather Lowe
Fellow Chicago AF member Kate Bluestein introduced me to Priya Parker's book The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, which serves as a great guide. Your gathering must have purpose. I love a good theme, to be honest, but it’s more than that. The company you keep is everything. Not every gathering will be for everyone, so the guest list is very important. If you want a lively gathering but inclusive conversation, a group of 8–12 people works best. Smaller groups lack diversity and larger groups make it harder for everyone to speak. When the host is curious, willing, and generous gatherings flourish.
Here’s what you can offer as host (ess) with the most (est). Enjoy my 6 tips for hosting memorable and meaningful gatherings sans alcohol.
1. Curate an Exceptional NA Drink Menu
● Signature Mocktails: Create unique, holiday-themed mocktails like a cranberry ginger fizz, spiced apple spritz, or pomegranate mojito. Use fresh juices, sparkling water, and herbs to elevate the experience. Gruvi has single-serve red and white wine, which are perfect as mixers or all on their own. You can give your drinks a name such as Heather’s Holiday Highball and print a menu to frame to make it extra special.
● NA Spirits & Beers: Stock up on high-quality NA spirits (such as Ritual, Seedlip or Lyre’s) and craft NA beers (GoBrewing local to Chicago) to cater to different tastes.
● Hot Drink Station: Serve hot chocolate, spiced cider, coffee, and festive teas. Add fun garnishes like whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, and candy canes. I’ve hosted a hot chocolate bar for years and Trader Joe’s is great place to find all the fixin’s. This is fun for all ages. I love old-fashioned glass candy jars to hold garish options. Amazon had great pumps for flavored syrups. You can customize stickers to add to cup zarfs for a personalized touch and elevated elixirs.
2. Food that Shines
In The Sober Lush, A Hedonist Guide to Living a Decadent, Adventurous, Soulful Life—Alcohol Free the authors suggest focusing on foods someone can eat with one hand. Wonderbread pimento cheese, egg salad, or cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. Triscuits and cheddar on a tray. Miniature anything or anything speared with a toothpick. A simple Chex mix served in crystal bowls is familiar and welcoming. Hit Goodwill if you don’t own any fancy serving bowls. I know Chicago AF Founder Carrie May is a huge fan of this. I love a wooden bowl and spoon for scooping trail mix and candy.
Here’s a few other ideas to consider:
● Festive Finger Foods: Mini sliders, cheese boards, holiday-themed canapés, fruit kabobs, and seasonal salads.
● Elegant Desserts: Finish the night with a beautiful dessert table featuring cookies, gingerbread, mini tarts, and chocolate-dipped fruits. As The Sober Lush says, leave room for dessert, even if it is just wildberries and dandelion tea.
● Interactive Food Stations: Consider a DIY taco, pasta, or gourmet popcorn bar for extra engagement. A chili bar, a baked potato bar, or salad bar is an option. If you want a potluck from guests, you can host a cookbook party. Each guest can pick a recipe from the same cookbook. Charcuterie is my all-time favorite, as I am a cheese and cracker Wisconsin girl at heart.
3. Set the atmosphere:
I learned from Priya Parker that lighting and music are the most important elements of any gathering in addition to the attendees.
● Cozy Decor: Think string lights, candles, and festive centerpieces like pinecones, holly, or cranberries. The holiday season lends itself to soft lighting and a hygge environment. My fireplace adds instant atmosphere on winter nights.
● Mood Music: Curate a playlist that suits the vibe, mixing classic holiday tunes with modern hits. I host Christmas every year, and I have surveyed the family for their favorite songs. I now have a playlist that makes everyone happy, from The Chimpmunk’s squeaking out a song for my young niece to an old-fashioned carole for my father-in-law, boy bands for my sister-in-law, Elvis Blue Christmas for hubs, and Silver Bells and the Nutcracker for my dancing daughters. Throw in some Dolly Parton Holiday for me, and we’ve got ourselves a holiday mix. When someone’s request comes on, they notice, and it invites conversation. If you don’t have a tried-and-true playlist, getting participant engagement in creating the playlist ahead of time amps up the event anticipation.
● Festive Games or Activities: Try a holiday trivia, charades, or DIY ornament station for interactive fun. Everyone gets more comfortable with an activity to do, a little forced interaction, and something to do with their hands. It was after I got sober that I started a Euchre card club. Something as simple as a puzzle on a side table with an invitation to join is enough.
4. Engage All Senses
● Scented Candles or Diffusers: Go for cinnamon, peppermint, or pine to make the space smell like the holidays. A diffuser or a pot simmering with cloves on the stove will create instant transportation to a magical place.
● Visually Stunning Displays: Use twinkling lights, thematic color schemes, and thoughtful table settings. Use books to vary the height of serving dishes. Fresh flowers are always welcoming. Pictures of guests with Santa hats on them or something festive can serve as place cards.
5. Build Community
● Conversation Starters: Incorporate a gratitude or reflection circle where guests share a highlight of their year or a hope for the coming year. The guests all came to connect, but we all could use a little nudge because networking and socializing sober can be tough when we are used to relying on the mask of alcohol.
● Gift Exchange: Host a white elephant or secret Santa gift exchange to keep things lighthearted.
6. Have a Thoughtful Finale
● Party Favors: Send guests home with a small, meaningful favor like a mini NA drink set, holiday spice blend, or DIY cookies.
● Thank You Notes: End the evening with heartfelt gratitude, perhaps sending personalized digital thank-yous the next day.
Courtesy of @Ditchedthedrink / Heather Lowe
By focusing on delicious NA drinks, incredible food, a cozy vibe, and opportunities for connection, your holiday soirée will be one to remember—without alcohol!
For more holiday support, check out these blogs:
5 Tips for Happy Holidays that Don't Include Alcohol
The Best Gifts this Holiday Season
The 9 Best Non-Alcoholic Champagne's to Ring in the New Year
