Festive date night ideas that don’t involve alcohol
Once the festive season starts, it can feel like alcohol is everywhere you turn. Your family is inviting you around for Baileys and mulled wine, your work colleagues are planning the boozy Christmas outing and your friends haven’t stopped talking about getting together for a few festive tipples.
As someone who has gone sober, this can be an intimidating time of the year. You don’t want to turn down plans and avoid the Christmas cheer but you also don’t want to be surrounded by drunk people as you sip on a soft drink.
If Christmas leaves you feeling like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, you may turn to your partner for some alcohol-free festive date nights, allowing you to get into the spirit without a drop of alcohol in sight.
Here are seven booze-free date night ideas for sober couples to enjoy throughout the holiday season.
1. Christmas markets trip
The classic Christmas date night, a trip to the Christmas markets. While Christmas markets can get quite lively during the evening, throughout the day it’s more about food than fizz. Taking a daytime trip to the Christmas markets provides everything you need for a sober date that leaves you feeling festive.
Whether you want to purchase some wholesome, handmade gifts for your loved ones or you just want to seek refuge from the cold weather as you indulge in delicious food, markets generally provide something for everyone.
You could even travel to a town or city you’ve never visited to take in a new Christmas market as well as see a new corner of the world.
2. Make alcohol-free mulled wine
It’s the right time to be an alcohol-free drinker, just about every alcoholic beverage has a booze-free alternative, and mulled wine is no different. But rather than going to your local supermarket and grabbing a bottle off the shelf, why not create your own non-alcoholic mulled wine at home?
Nothing says it’s Christmas quite like a mulled wine, but making your own will leave your drink tasting even sweeter, and it’s a great activity for a couple who are looking for affordable activities to enjoy around Christmas time.
Here is a great alcohol-free mulled wine recipe for those who like the sound of this one!
3. Christmas crafts making
Crafts aren’t just for children, and putting a festive twist on a craft-making session is one of the most wholesome ways you and your partner can be left feeling festive. It’s up to you exactly what type of crafts you want to create, but you are certainly not short of options.
If you’ve got time on your hands, you could put together a delightful Christmas wreath for your own home or to gift to someone else. Alternatively, decorate your own baubles to put a personal touch on your tree. It could even be as simple as crafting your own Christmas cards before delivering them to your family and friends!
4. Decorate a gingerbread house
If you want to combine crafts with food, decorating a gingerbread house as a couple could be the perfect option. If you’ve got children or younger relatives, this can be a great activity to involve them in too.
If you aren’t the world’s best bakers, purchasing a blank gingerbread house or a kit will make your life a whole lot easier. But if you are up for the challenge, why not go one step further and create your own gingerbread house before decorating it to your liking?!
5. Stay in and watch a Christmas film
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, and let’s face it, nothing beats staying in and watching a Christmas movie on those cold December nights. These days, streaming services leave us spoilt for choice with childhood classics and new releases at our fingertips.
You can even bring the cinema to your living room and cook up some nachos to go with your sweet treats. Although the beauty of bringing the movies to you isn’t just the film options, it’s the comfort of being able to throw on a men’s full tracksuit, take your duvet to the sofa and snuggle up for the perfect Christmas evening.
6. Start a new tradition
Let’s face it, too many Christmas traditions involve alcohol. If you’re a teetotaller or simply looking to cut down on your alcohol intake, why not start a new Christmas tradition that’s personal to you and your partner?
Pick a date or day that you want to enjoy this new tradition each year. It could be the first Saturday in December for example or you may want to make it Christmas Eve when most other couples are heading out for a Christmas drink.
In terms of the tradition itself, it could be an annual Christmas takeaway, a cinema trip tradition or even a Christmas Eve 10k if you are a health-obsessed couple. It’s your tradition so it is entirely up to you; get creative and let your alcohol-free mind run wild!
By Lucy Couser
Lucy is a freelance writer who finished her degree in creative writing in Manchester. She loves to talk and share her experiences with alcohol, top tips and healthier fun alternatives for the sober community. You can find her substack here!
