Alcoholic beverages during the holidays....

[SunnyGirl]

I always run into the problem of........

"TO SERVE OR NOT TO SERVE"

alcoholic beverages during the holidays!

Actually, I don't have a recovering alcoholic in the
family ( 2 active) but I certainly hate the thought
of having the holiday ruined by my decision to serve
a beverage that could cause a problem for some.

On the other hand, "Honey" and I will have a glass
of wine and our not serving it, doesn't seem to be
quite right either. I refuse to be the "alcohol sheriff"
and monitor everyones drinking, but allowing anyone
to become drunk, sends chills down my spine.

Has anyone else run accross this problem?
How did you handle it?

Thanks in advance.....

Hugs, Sunnygirl

[lildee]

Hi Sunnygirl,
For me we are having just the immediate family here. So the kids are too young to drink and if Rick wants to that's up to him. Alcohol was not his problem, crack is his addiction. From what he says he never mixed the two. So I am leaving that choice up to him as how he wants to handle it. For me I could take it or leave it. Booze has never been an issue. So I guess the best suggestion I can give you is to have it available and let each guest decide what they want to do about drinking. We have to remember that we are not responsible nor can we control anyone's use of alcohol, drugs or anything else. Have a happy, healthy and joyous holiday. And God Bless

[Lin]

I don't buy it because i choose not to drink in front of my spouse. When we go to a family member who is having alcohol I decline the offer of a drink and so does my husband. It is not my place to tell them not to serve it, so when they start to get loud or drunk we leave. I asked my hubby if it bothered him to be at their house and everybody who was over 18 except himself, me and one sister was drinking. HE said NO. So if HE'S OK with it, I guess it's OK by me.

I jsut won't buy it to serve at my house. If somebody brings a bottle of wine, I'll give them glasses.

LIN

[SunnyGirl]

I thought I would follow up on my post above.....
I was a little concerned, but I went with both my
husband and my feelings, to go ahead and serve
the wine.

My older son brought beer, but no one had more
than one or two. I know they are aware of my
feelings and I was very pleased there were no
problems at all.

God is good....

and I am thankful for all I have been given!

Thank you for the responses..... ~SG~

[SaraLee]

We went to my husbands sister's home for Thanksgiving, and they had several bottles of wine open for anyone who wanted a glass. They didn't go around asking anyone if they wanted a glass of wine, they simply set the bottle in the kitchen for those who wanted some. This is what I do as well in my home when I have wine with a holiday meal.

I have no problem with having wine or beer on hand and neither does the alcoholic I live with. I don't drink often and maybe this is one reason he doesn't seem disturbed or tempted by my drinking, but that is a guess on my part.
SaraLee

[Caressa2]

I don't have it in my home. I have a friend who cooks with it, but I don't think that I could keep a partly opened bottle of anything in my home and have some peace and serenity.

Sobriety for me is "soundness of mind!" I can go where drinking is happening. I go to my bridge club and they have bottles of wine and beer and non-alcoholic punch which I smell before I taste because I know that someone is capable of being a joker in the crowd.

I have gone out for dinner with my son and bought him a beer and he has sat opposite me and drank it, but I went through a period where he brought it into my home when he lived with me ten years ago, and I had to set a boundary. It was the smell that bothered me more than anything. That is what troubles me today when he come in after drinking. Being drunk isn't the problem it is the smell which seems to invade what I call my "sacred" space. I want it kept clean!

It is a good remember when for me which keeps me sober! "I use to smell like that!" Yuk!!!! Since I quit smoking, my senses seem to pick up everything. I can't use pine cleaners, scented candles or incense. The only thing that worked for me was fruit scented candles by Party Lite!