Switching it up for Christmas!
Since having the children I tend to avoid alcohol when possible, the thought of a hangover while dealing with four children is enough to put anyone off the drink. But throughout December, and especially over Christmas and New Year, we have far more social gatherings, parties, nights out and celebratory drinks with friends, and alcohol always features heavily! In my younger years I was able to drink for four nights running without so much as a headache, where as these days the hangovers are unbearable, lasting for not just one, but sometimes even three days, and regardless of how many times I tell myself that I won’t ever drink again, it’s very easy to forget when the Prosecco is being poured!
I was interested to read about the new campaign, Switch It Up, encouraging Brits to cut down on alcohol to reap the rewards from drinking in moderation. During a recent survey, conducted by AB InBev, it was unsurprising to read that 14% of people have missed a day at work because of a hangover, a statistic that I suspect is actually far higher, 18% of people have seen a wedding ruined by someone that drank too much (I’m hoping this wasn’t me….), 17% have seen a family gathering affected and 16% of people have seen a work event spoilt. Nearly a quarter of people aged 18-34 have been to a birthday that has been interrupted by someone who can’t moderate their drinking. And faced with those statistics it’s quite obvious that although drinking in moderation is perfectly acceptable, drinking too much just isn’t fun for anyone. And nor is the hangover!
After a recent night out with friends, and feeling more than a little bit rough the next day, I decided that it would be a great opportunity to try the Switch It Up challenge, if nothing else to give my liver a break before Christmas and New Year. In all honesty I very rarely drink unless I’m on a night out, which as you can imagine, with four children, isn’t as often as it used to be, but for Gaz who drinks on a regular basis, even if just a few cans on a weekend, the challenge was a little tougher and yet once I had roped him in to the challenge, there was no backing out!!
We were sent several cases of Beck’s non-alcoholic beer to sample, the idea being that we should alternate alcoholic drinks with a Becks’s Blue or Beck’s Blue Lemon, or switch it up altogether. For the purpose of the challenge we decided to go the whole way and switch it up completely so that we could really feel the benefit.
As someone who doesn’t ordinarily drink beer, I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the Beck’s Blue Lemon was, and for Gaz who loves beer, he was surprised that the Beck’s Blue was very much like drinking the real thing! Gaz often says that the reason he likes to have a beer on a weekend is simply because he finds it so refreshing, and not because he necessarily wants to feel the effects of the alcohol. For me, who would definitely describe myself as a binge drinker, I don’t particularly enjoy the taste of alcohol and would only ever drink to get drunk.
Either way, it was fairly easy to stick to the challenge, especially given the fact that we had an alcohol free substitute, and by the end of the week we could both feel the benefits. Waking up on Sunday without a hangover was lovely, even more so when it meant that we could be up and out with the children enjoying Christmas activities without a pounding headache or feeling nauseous. Gaz also found that getting up on Monday morning for work was so much easier after avoiding alcohol over the weekend.
During the survey 47% of people claimed that the best part of drinking in moderation was the lack of a headache the next day, and I have to agree. Alcohol is so de-hydrating and by switching it up Gaz and I both felt healthier in ourselves. We were both surprised to read that the average Brit spends £47 a week on alcohol which, although for us is far less, amounts to £600 a year. I like the idea of putting aside the money saved from buying alcohol and using it for a family day out, a special treat or just a nice meal for the two of us, preferably one that doesn’t involve alcohol!
After our week of switching it up I feel far more motivated to drink in moderation this coming year, if someone could just remind me of that on New Years Eve I’d be really grateful…..!!
Ooh I used to love a Becks Blue when pregnant! They’re lovely. Good for you taking on the challenge, after my 3 nights in a row just now (ridiculous considering we have a 7 month old), I’m looking forward to a) sleeping and b) no more booze for a while. Til xmas day maybe…!
You’re totally right the children plus hangover is just not worth it! Thankfully the husband did more than his fair share of morning shifts this weekend!
Kimberly x #EatSleepBlogRT
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Haha I get like that, although only manage one night out in a row, where I look forward to not having to drink for a long time! I have a hen do in February and I’m worrying about the prospect of having to drink three nights in a row! xx
I know what you mean about the thought of parenting on a hangover and I only have one to parent. It’s just not any funny at all is it. Alcohol free beer may just be the answer, although I’m partial to a rum or two, do you think they do that alcohol free??
Haha I’m not sure, I think it’s doubtful? They do alcohol free wine though!! xx
That’s a great initiative! I’m glad it worked for you. Personally, we went cold turkey and we don’t drink at all for months. Not a fan of beer anyway and I was not drinking much anyway and seriously, I never go out without the kids, not enough to drink much!
I’m all or nothing when it comes to drink, it’s far easier to stick to nothing! xx
I like the sound of these non alcoholic beers I very rarely drink alcohol so it’s good that there are non alcohol alternatives out there. I think my husband would like the Becks Blue.
Yes it’s good to have options, even if just to alternate so you drink a little less. xx
Argh! I will do anything to avoid hellish hangovers since becoming a parent but do love a beer so this sounds perfect!
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There really is nothing worse is there?! I’ll be sticking to these……really I will…..!! xx
I’ve got a box of these ready for Christmas! I can’t stand hangovers but do like a nice beer every now and then 😉
I’ll be encouraging my husband to have a few of these over Christmas too, he likes to get carried away…..*sigh*…..xx
I am so with you on the hangover thing. Might have to give these non-alcoholic ones a try.
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It’s worth it for a clear head! xx
Hangovers seem to last so much longer these days here too! I’m quite surprised about the amount of money people spend on alcohol a week, nearly 200 pounds a month is a lot of money!
#MMBC
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I know! That’s such a lot of money!! I barely drink anymore and even on a night out I would only spend around £30 at most!!! xx
I can imagine it is less fun to be hungover when you have kids lol. However as you quite rightly pointed out it is Christmas so lets drink!
Haha, it’s not fun at all!! xx
I like that these are non alcoholic as well !
Yep, it’s always good to cut back on alcohol, especially at Christmas! xx
Non alcoholic drinks sound great. I find as I get older I can not drink as much. 2 glasses of wine at night and I have a really bad hangover the next day, then my day is wasted feeling ill.
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Me too! Wine is the worst for hangovers! xx
Hubby had the hang over from hell this week after the office Christmas party – perhaps he should have stuck to this
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Haha yes! As should Gaz when he went on his works do! Men!!! xx
I do like a drink but I also get in Schloer or elderflower cordial too at Christmas, as I don’t like to drink too much.
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I love Schloer, as do the children – they always think they are drinking wine, haha! xx
I rarely drink. Never really been a drinker. Like that these are non alcoholic.
I barely drink these days, it’s just not worth the hangover with the kids! xx
I will have to try these. After having my girls I never really drank but when Christmas comes round I don’t know why but I feel left out when everyone else is drinking least this way I can feel like I’m drinking but without the alcohol
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I only ever feel like I miss having a drink when I’m on a big night out, and that’s when I usually end up having far too many then I can handle!! I’m hoping to have learned my lesson after my last three day hangover!! xx
Flipping heck! I didn’t realise the average Brit spent that amount on alcohol each week! Shocking figure x
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Isnt it!! I was shocked! Such a huge waste of money! xx
Becks Blue Lemon sounds amazing! The hubby and I rarely drink at all now since having the kids and I quite often go a few months at a time without a drink and without missing it. (Yes – I suppose my blog name should be “Rhyming with Tea”.) I’ve got so used to not drinking that I just can’t handle the hangovers any more. I’ll definitely look out for Blue Lemon though over the festive period as any excuse to sneak in a non alcoholic drink when we are out and feeling the social pressure is a winner for me. Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam
Me too! The less I drink the worse the hangovers yet! Social pressure is huge isn’t it? I always feel a bit like a party pooper when I’m sticking to lemonade but at least with these nobody will notice, haha! xxx
Good on you darling!
I don’t drink, never have & doubt I ever will but this post is fabulous.
Love the idea of this campaign, hopefully it will get people to think & hopefully try it xo
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I think Christmas is such a special time of year, I’d hate to ruin that time with my children due to a hangover! xx
I know I am still young but I still say in my younger days I used to drink till the pub closed but now barely 30 one shot of something sweet and its lights out lol. But Becks non-alcoholic beer sounds interesting
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I was the same! I never got hangovers, the older you get the worse they get for sure!! x
I love this idea – I used to be a big drinker pre-kids these days I barely bother but I do get a bit fed up when I go out with friends and they drink heavily before falling asleep in their pudding! Great campaign #eatsleepblogrt
Haha yes! I actually dread having to drink these days, the hangovers are unbearable! xx