Parents' Festive Checklist

Christmas and New Year is a time of year when children are more likely to be exposed to alcohol. It can be difficult to manage pressures from your family, friends and children. That’s why Drink aware’s festive countdown aims to give parents the confidence to say no to alcohol for their children.

Don’t be afraid to say no

Evidence shows that young people who start drinking at an early age drink more, and more frequently, than those who delay their first alcoholic drink (1). Even at Christmas, it’s important to discourage children from drinking. The UK Chief Medical Officers guidance says that children under 16 should not drink alcohol as it can be hazardous to their health (2).

To avoid any awkward situations, let your friends and family know you do not allow your child to drink alcohol and think about your influence as a role model when it comes to festive drinking.  

Be prepared!

The run up to Christmas is a busy time of year for families, so talking to your children about alcohol early on will make your life much easier.

Stock up on soft drinks

Most parents don’t intend to give their children alcohol at Christmas. We found that children are most likely to get alcohol from friends and family during the holidays rather than their parents (3). It’s important when planning your Christmas party to let your guests know what you have agreed with your child. This will help avoid embarrassing situations and ensure your child doesn’t get mixed messages, or even alcoholic drinks, from other adults.

Keep alcohol out of sight

Remember to make sure you keep track of any alcohol you have bought for your festive celebrations and put it safely away from the temptation of young hands.

Christmas Eve

It’s Christmas Eve and that means a mince pie and glass of sherry left out for Santa. Why not use this as a good opportunity to explain to your children how alcohol can be enjoyed by adults in moderation? It’s worth discussing the drink choice for Santa, it doesn’t need to be alcohol, it could be a glass of milk.

Christmas Day

The big day has arrived and in many homes alcoholic drinks will be consumed throughout the day. Try to set a good example by drinking responsibly – for example, by alternating alcohol with soft drinks and choosing lower alcohol drinks.

Boxing Day

If you’ve drunk more than you intended and are feeling a bit worse for wear, don’t be tempted to hide it. Children are very perceptive and will notice if you’re hungover. Use this as an opportunity to discuss the negative effects of alcohol and talk about how you regret drinking too much and feel ill as a result.