Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Send news

News tags

mental health  physical activity  earthquake  vacancies  families  public health  children  funding  poverty  health determinants  social  Community development  planning  employment  healthy cities  volunteers  newsletter  youth  volunteering  nutrition  employment opportunity  housing  alcohol and drugs  maori  community engagement  rebuilding  wellbeing  disabilities  Lectures  counselling  Training  earthquake recovery  sustainability  event  community gardens  Community  seminar  Awards  stress  Community Groups  mens health  research  arts  smokefree  culture  men  exercise  migrants  community event  education  environment  resilience  human rights  health  medical  business  sport  conferences  survey  mental wellbeing  Courses  obesity  elderly  support group  environmental health  healthy food  health promotion  violence  pacific health  resources  rebuild  women  race relations  meeting  gardens  workshop  services  leadership  forum  water  disabled  repair  transport  prevention  pacific  dance  fundraising  asian health  sexual health  inequality  cancer  support  disasters  development  mindfulness  dementia  presentation  collaboration  health in all policies  data analysis  recovery  smoking  law  drugs and alcohol  technology  safety  cycling  Sleep  policy  parenting  media  hearing  walking  land  neighbours  social justice  qualification  resilient cities  information  community connection  consultation  oral health  bullying  depression  youth empowerment  young people  activities  non-profit  charity  harm  NURSES  addiction  disease  Communication  alcohol  symposium  submission  anxiety  accessibility  Relationships  eating  economics  Advocacy  eLearning  falls  parking  energy  efficiency  heating  insulation  advice  Eating Disorders  abuse  waste  Matariki  webinar  diabetes  workplace  Film  Climate Change  solutions  urban  management  economy  plan  restoration  Report  Vulnerability  welfare  parks  learning  awareness  emergencies  legislation  injury prevention  reading  Meeting Room  conservation  language  refugees  recreation  built environment  data  venue  urban design  Food  older people  finances  suicide  heritage  gender  recycling  breastfeeding  public  identity  Nursing  submissions  Rainbow  biodiversity  campaign  promotion  Gut Health  diversity  therapy  older adults  sexuality  computing  pollution  School Holidays  Arts Therapy  providers  gambling  Maori health  Cervical cancer  screening  trauma  autism  Governance  treaty of waitangi  care  mentoring  pets  relaxation  Professional Development  pornography  exhibition  history  discrimination  vaping  equity  lockdown  grief  rural  hygiene  participation  tourism  summer  intervention  warning  podcast  science  petition  swimming  roadworks  traffic  wildlife  beaches  pools  immunisation  vaccination  brain  preparation  open day  market  evaluation  noise  music  property  testing  crafts  CALD  cultural diversity  camping  creativity  child health  tamariki  climate action  Pasifika  refugee  migrant  community events  road safety  library  Hornby  skills  placemaking  regenerative communities  journey  reflection  regional council  councillors  water management  emergency management  retirement  stress management  Christmas  family  festival  alcohol harm  waterways  planting  health protection  legionnaire's disease  hepatitis  heatwaves  river beds  water safety  fishing  gardening  workshops  stormwater  biosecurity  volunteer  plant and animal pest management  politics  faith  crime  drugs  pregnancy  native birds  Waimakariri  water quality  schools  early childhood  health professionals  heart disease  kura  school  ethical issues  rangatahi  Linwood  running  donations  whanau  financial pressures  online  health professional  flooding  conflict  peace  winter  agriculture 

12 ways to celebrate Christmas without alcohol

Wednesday, December 13, 2023   Posted in: Signatory Notice Board By: Administrator With tags: alcohol, advice, Christmas

Have you thought about the role alcohol will play in your Christmas celebrations? In New Zealand culture there’s often pressure to drink at festive events, but you can set your own healthy boundaries and be a role model for your family, friends and colleagues too.

Here are some ways you can enjoy celebrating with friends and family, but come out with a clear head!

  1. Watch your favourite Christmas movies with homemade popcorn (experiment with different flavours – there are heaps of recipes online).
  2. Bake some edible gifts for your friends, neighbours and work colleagues.
  3. Make your own Christmas or New Year decorations.
  4. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or charity. You could also  donate to a gift drive or foodbank.
  5. Go for a walk in nature. Even better, take a friend, family member or dog with you.
  6. Go on a photo walk in your local neighbourhood and see things through a new lens.
  7. Kick back with a good book – check out your local library for holiday reading lists.
  8. Break out the old-school board games or puzzles.
  9. Start a new project – scrapbooking, photo book, herb garden, knitting.
  10. Pamper yourself with a home manicure, foot massage or facial.
  11. Put together your favourite music playlist.
  12. Organise a FaceTime catch-up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

If you are drinking:

  • Alternate alcohol with water or non-alcoholic drinks.
  • Stay properly hydrated. Be aware of the risks of drinking alcohol in the sun!
  • Eat good substantial food, not just chips and snacks when you’re drinking.
  • Don’t drink and drive, but also don’t drink and swim, bike etc.