Once exams are over, freedom is here. Other than shift work that you may have picked up over the break, you’re free to do whatever — including getting smashed off the dinner wine. Before you do, it’s good to implement damage control so that you don’t ruin Grandma’s white, snowflake patterned tablecloth.
1. Pace yourself
Don’t try to keep up with your Aunt Helen, she’s a beast. You’re going to hurt yourself if you try. Instead, slow down to your own speed. Maybe you should only drink one glass per hour if you hardly drink wine. Remember that vino creeps up.
2. Drink waterA good rule of thumb is one alcoholic drink deserves one full glass of water (i.e. Earth’s sweet nectar).3. Eat a serving or two
The last thing you want to do is replace your holiday feast with a fourth glass of pinot.
4. Don’t mix if you’re not used to it
Don’t get ambitious if you never mix. And even if you do, be wary. It’s a 45-minute drive back to your house from your grandparents’ place. Also don’t smoke that joint your stoner cousin offered you. Mixing the dinner wine with the duty-free tequila your second cousin brought from Mexico isn’t a good idea either.
5. If you get sick: tell somebody
Don’t try to hide it — that may make it worse. Tell your immediate family if that tequila “wrecked you.” No shame in admitting you drank yourself under the dinner table.You just finished exams after all. You may become the butt of the joke for the rest of the night, but it’s cool, it’s family.
6. Be the designated driver
Give your parents and siblings a break and offer to drive so that they can have a couple. Chill out and drink tea or hot chocolate while your family celebrates. Show them this list before they start drinking too, so you don’t need to carry mom to the car after she falls asleep watching Christmas Vacation.
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, women should drink no more than three drinks and men should drink no more than four drinks in an evening.
Photo Courtesy of John Cafazza via CC0