How to throw an inclusive holiday party
/Keep these party planners’ expert tips in mind for your next big bash
Holidays are a time for celebration. Work parties, family bashes, and friend get-togethers – there are countless occasions to gather over the holiday season. But for those who choose to skip alcohol for whatever reason, there’s nothing worse than rolling up to a holiday party and being handed a plain old can of sparkling water.
Historically, partying and alcoholic drinks have gone hand in hand, but these days, it’s essential that hosts offer non-alcoholic options so all guests feel included and welcome. And, with heaps of non-alcoholic beverages on the market nowadays, there’s really no excuse!
“There is almost nothing worse than not having a non-alcoholic option for a drink at a party,” says Virginia Frischkorn, founder and CEO of Partytrick. “While alcohol-fueled festivities have been a ‘thing,’ we're now seeing many parties lean toward serving creative non-alcoholic cocktails as the trend towards sober-curious rises.”
Don’t let alcohol do the heavy lifting for your party. This holiday season, why not take the focus off of alcohol and think outside the box? We asked party planning experts how to throw an inclusive holiday party. Here are seven of their top tips.
Greet guests warmly
Set the tone for the night the second a guest enters your home. “When people arrive, immediately offer your ‘red, white, or non-alcoholic cocktail’ option,” Frischkorn says. “It sets a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, and it prevents the sometimes-dreaded ‘water for me’ moment.”
You can also establish the mood well before guests arrive. On your invitation, Facebook group, or text message invite, let your visitors know that there will be non-alcoholic drinks available. That way guests who may not be drinking can rest assured there will be options for them, too.
Build a non-alcoholic cocktail bar
If you have multiple drink options available for drinkers, you should strive to have at least a couple for non-drinkers, too. Pop and sparkling waters are the baseline, and if you’re in a pinch, whipping up a pre-batched pitcher of drink is a great starting point. But let’s reach for the stars here: set up a build-your-own booze-free cocktail bar with spirit substitutes like faux gin, rum, or vodka.
Be sure to add signage to help guests navigate the bar, including suggested recipes and point out what’s non-alcoholic. Don’t forget the mixers: put out ginger beer, tonic and soda waters, or something slightly unique, like Chinotto, a bitter-y citrus Italian soda.
When crafting the bar cart menu, channel those holiday vibes. Frischkorn suggests serving seasonal drinks like, hot cider or hot chocolate, alongside accouterments friendly for everyone. “Set out garnishes like cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, star anise, and a non-alcoholic or alcoholic mixer,” she says.
Other fun options include almond milk egg nog, cinnamon cider mule, gingerbread old fashioned, or a festive gin fizz – without the booze. “A spritz is and will forever be a crowd pleaser. It's very easy to create a non-alcoholic version for your guests!” Frischkorn says. (Here’s a great recipe for a cranberry Italian spritz, courtesy of us.)
And don’t be afraid to invest in a few good bottles of non-alcoholic spirits for your bar cart. The stash definitely won’t go to waste. Keep the spirits on hand for dry January, or bring your bar cart to your friend’s next party and share the love.
Stock non-alcoholic premixes
If you must skip the NA bar cart, focus on the premixed canned beverages instead. There’s little to no prep required for the host, and there are so many on the market now.
We rounded up the best canned Aperol Spritz, and we recommended SpritzISH – not too sweet or bitter – just the way we like it. Stock a canned mojito, we prefer the Ab0ve version, which offers a soft spearmint flavour and is easy to find at grocery stores across Canada and the U.S. Ab0ve also makes a gin and tonic worth trying.
Grab a can or two for the faux-beer lovers: Libra and Partake are widely available, and these canned beers are easy to mix with tonic to make a non-alcoholic beer cocktail. Meanwhile, Alberta-based Wildfolk makes a great line of canned mocktails leveraging herbs, roots and botanicals for layered, complex flavours.
Choose excellent glassware
Don’t let your friend drink out of a can, though. Presentation is everything – elevate the drinking experience with excellent glassware. Non-imbibers don’t want to look around and see everyone else drinking cocktails from elegant cups and glasses, meanwhile they’re stuck sipping from a can, or – God forbid – a coffee mug.
Even the most basic mocktails can be kicked up a notch when poured into a beautiful glass, so pay attention to your selection and lay out the good stuff. Try chilled tumblers, colourful champagne flutes, or sculptural glassware – Epicurious has a great guide for drinking glasses of all kinds for inspiration, if you’re in the market for something new.
Garnishes also make a world of difference. Wedges of lemon, lime, oranges, or pomegranate seeds can instantly kick up any drink a notch. A salted or sugared rim can instantly elevate any drinking experience. Stock plenty of ice, or try out an interesting ice cube tray that tends to go viral on TikTok. Pour non-alcoholic mix, like tonic, into a fancy decanter, or set out fun straws, festive cocktail napkins, and elegant stirring spoons – the options are endless!
Pick an activity
Okay, the theme for most holiday parties is just “holiday.” It’s all about gathering with loved ones and mingling. But you can always get creative to add interest to your party. Frischkorn suggests activities like an olive-oil tasting bar or a cookie decorating party. At the very least, try to pull the focus away from booze. “Consider crafting a theme that doesn't revolve around alcohol,” says Sally Gibson, founder of Someone Sent you a Greeting, a party planning website.
“Make sure activities are inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their choice to drink or not,” Gibson says. She suggests organizing good-natured competitions, like a board game tournament or a trivia pop-quiz. Why not hire an expert to come in, like a meditation guide for a brief gratitude session, or perhaps a tarot card reader? “This gives an alternative space for guests seeking a break from the lively atmosphere,” she says.
“Having an element of DIY makes the guests feel comfortable and gets them excited,” says Shilpa Kotamarthi and Samihan Shani, co-founders of Mystery Eats, a secret dinner party service that hosts events for strangers in Toronto. “We’ve hosted DIY Vietnamese rolls and dumpling stations at our previous events.” The co-founders say creating something together gives an intimate vibe to any gathering.
Focus on the food
Inclusivity doesn’t end at the drink table. Make sure your food spread has tasty treats like gluten-free crackers, non-dairy spreads like hummus, and faux-meats for the vegetarians. Fancy olives are an appealing option for most dietary restrictions. By putting more emphasis on food, it will help shift focus away from booze. And, if you plan to offer wine pairings alongside your entrées, make sure there is a non-alcoholic option, too.
Don’t pry
This one is beyond obvious, but if a guest turns down an alcoholic drink, don’t bug them about it. Simply name some of the non-alcoholic options you have or point them to the cooler that you’ve stocked with the newest and tastiest prebiotic soda cans. Trust me, they’ll be over the moon to be spoiled for choice. What a host, you’ve thought of everything.
About the Author
Emily Latimer is a journalist and fact-checker from Cape Breton Island. She has written for CBC, ELLE Canada, Canadian Business, and more.
