Five Tips to Stay Alcohol-Free Through the End of the Year

December 22, 2025: As we're gearing up for Christmas in a few days, I wanted to make sure I sent you some tips to stay alcohol-free this holiday season.

The Christmas holiday can be a beautiful time of year — and it can also stir up a surprising amount of emotion.

Joy and connection, yes. But also grief, stress, loneliness, family dynamics, pressure, and exhaustion.

For many people, alcohol becomes the default way to manage all of that.

🍷 A glass to take the edge off

🍷 Another to get through the gathering

🍷 A few more to quiet feelings that don’t have an easy place to land

If the holidays feel emotionally complex for you, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re human. And if you’re trying to drink less — or stay alcohol-free — this season can feel especially challenging.

Below are a few gentle ways to stay grounded and supported through Christmas, without white-knuckling your way through it.

1️⃣ Name what you’re actually feeling (even quietly). You don’t need to fix or judge your emotions — just notice them.

💡 Stress?
💡 Fatigue?
💡 Sadness?
💡 Overwhelm?
💡 Resentment?

Alcohol often shows up as a shortcut to avoid feelings. Naming them creates just enough space to choose a different response. Sometimes simply saying, “This is a lot right now,” is grounding all by itself.

2️⃣ Lower the bar (seriously). The holidays don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. You’re allowed to leave early. Say no. Skip events. Choose rest over productivity. Protect your energy.

Staying alcohol-free (or drinking less) gets harder when we expect ourselves to do everything for everyone. Progress over perfection applies here, too.

3️⃣ Create a simple pause before reacting. Take a look at the ​Power of the Pause​ technique from my ​31-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge​. Cravings often peak when emotions spike. Before reaching for a drink, try a short pause and three slow breaths. Step outside or into another room.

Ask yourself: “What do I actually need right now?” Sometimes the answer is rest. Sometimes connection. Sometimes a good cry. Sometimes just permission to not engage.

4️⃣ Anchor yourself to something supportive. Connection matters — especially when old habits are loud or on autopilot. That might look like someone who gets it. Journaling for 5 minutes. Going for a walk. Listening to something calming or inspiring.

Reminding yourself why you’re choosing differently. You don’t have to do this alone — even if it feels that way in the moment. Feel free to email me!

5️⃣ Remember: You don’t have to decide “forever.” One of the biggest misconceptions about sobriety is that you need to make a lifetime decision. You don’t. You can choose today. You can choose this holiday event. You can choose this season. And if January feels like a natural reset point — that works too.

If you’re feeling called to start the new year with clarity, support, and a different relationship with alcohol, my ​31-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge & Group Coaching Course​ begins January 1 for Dry January 2026.

It’s designed for people who drinking more than they want and don’t resonate with "traditional" recovery paths, like AA. It's for those who want structure, science, and support — without shame or judgment.

Registration is open at: www.mageecoaching.com/31daycourse