Self-loathing and a pounding head: it�s no way to spend the festive season. Fiona Russell finds out how to have fun in moderation.
It's a tradition as entrenched as the tree, the turkey and the tangled Christmas lights: the festive hangover. With a full diary of office parties and family gatherings to attend, many of us make the most of the season as a time to meet, drink and be merry.
And why not? It only happens once a year, and over-indulging is all part of the fun. Or is it? Think back to last Christmas. It's likely that there were at least a couple of times when you woke up after a big night out rueing that extra glass of wine. Even if you'd set out with good intentions, there was inevitably a point in the proceedings when you found yourself being cajoled by friends or colleagues to "go on, have another one". And if you put on the average 5lbs of weight during the 2007 festive season, it's likely that the high calorie content of alcohol would have been a contributory factor.
But it doesn't have to be this way. While drink does traditionally play a major role in a good old-fashioned Scottish night out, there are revellers who will be enjoying their share of the Christmas parties without getting drunk.
Eileen Thomson, 41, is one party animal who is looking forward to this Christmas - but with much less alcohol. Thomson, a mother of two young boys from Glasgow, says: "This year I will still be out making the most of the celebrations with friends, but I doubt I'll drink that much.
"Drinking less is something that has been a gradual progression for me. There has been no eureka moment - but one too many hangovers over the years, especially once I had children, really made me rethink the amount I wanted to drink."
Initially, Thomson admits, she did find it difficult to embrace the concept that she would enjoy herself without alcohol. "Drinking is what everyone does when they go out in Scotland, especially at Christmas time, so you get to the point where you think that you need a drink to have a good time.
"For a while I didn't go out - and then, when I did, I felt there was quite a lot of pressure, even if it was only apparently friendly bullying, to drink more than I maybe wanted to."
On several occasions, Thomson found herself lying to avoid being badgered to have another drink. "It's ridiculous, really, but I would say I was on antibiotics, or I had missed the train into town so I had the car with me and needed to drive home, or that the babysitter needed a lift. One time, someone actually suggested I must be pregnant because I wasn't drinking."
Then Thomson realised that she was "old enough and wise enough" to be able to explain why she didn't need to get drunk. She says: "It did take people by surprise, that I was having only one or two G&Ts on a night out, but then they saw that I wasn't actually turning into Mrs Boring."
She admits that it wasn't always easy to stick to her self-inflicted drinking limits. "There's a point when you've had a glass or two and you are quite vulnerable to just having another," she says, smiling. "I found I had to be quite strict with myself."
Jack Law, chief executive at Alcohol Focus Scotland, suggests there are several techniques we can adopt if we want to drink less in social situations. "It's not that we don't want people to have a good time when they are out this Christmas, but we do want to encourage more people to drink sensibly," he says.
"There are lots of different ways to enjoy alcohol in moderation - from being informed about the exact alcohol content of drinks to drinking plenty of water, pacing yourself and just saying you've had enough."
So if you want to avoid a crushing hangover this year, and you're keen to minimise the assault on your waistline, here are some tips and secrets:
Eat before you go: Higher-fat foods and slow-release carbs are ideal as they can absorb alcohol in the stomach and keep blood-sugar levels more stable.
Pace yourself: Take small sips instead of gulping. Put your glass down in between sips. Alternate between soft drinks and alcoholic ones.
Agree to drive: This should rule out drinking any alcohol at all: why take the risk? But it means you are guaranteed to wake up the next day feeling bright and fresh.
Take days off drinking: Government health experts advise that while women should drink no more than two to three units per day and men three to four units, everyone should have at least two alcohol-free days each week. During the party season, ensure you take as many days off the booze as possible.
Decide your limit: Alcohol content varies depending on the exact drink. Find out how many units are in your chosen tipple and calculate the maximum number you plan to have before you go out. Again, see left for some basic information - or visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for a detailed alcohol calculator.
Count calories: One large glass of red wine is 170 calories, while a pint of lager is usually between 200 and 300.
Avoid rounds: Buying rounds often means you drink more than you want. If you are involved in a round, drink slowly and skip every other round, or buy a soft drink when it's your turn.
Smaller is better: Stick to half-pints instead of pints, or ask for a small glass of wine.
Longer and slower: Have one measure of spirits and top up with more mixer. You could also try spritzers or, even better, alcohol-free cocktails.
Say no to top-ups: At parties, finish your drink before accepting a top-up so you can keep track of your alcohol tally.
Drink water: Ask for a pint of water each time you have an alcoholic drink.
Don't just drink: Find something else to do, like playing pool, dancing, chatting or even doing a pub quiz, to help prevent you drinking too quickly.
Fix a fitness date: Arrange to meet a friend for a run or a gym session the morning after the night before. Who wants to exercise with a hangover?
Don't be bullied: Have an excuse planned to explain why you don't want another drink, eg: "I have to drive tomorrow morning and don't want to risk being over the limit", "I have to go to the dentist tomorrow and I don't want to breathe fumes on her", "Our babysitter is expecting a lift home when we get back" or just "I'd prefer a diet cola, thanks". If your friends can't respect your choice not to drink, change them.
And if you're gaving a party at home . . .
As well as the usual, why not offer guests these fabulous light drinks?
Designated driver 4 strawberries, 6 basil leaves, 5ml lime juice, 50ml cranberry juice, 10ml gomme syrup, pinch cracked black pepper
Method: Blend all ingredients with crushed ice. Serve in a tall glass and garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.
From Mark Tracey, Bar MC, Abode Glasgow, 129 Bath Street.
Ginger berry mule 5ml pomegranate syrup, 6 raspberries, 6 blueberries, 25ml lime juice, 12.5ml ginger syrup, Angostura bitters, ginger beer.
Method: Muddle pomegranate syrup, raspberries and blueberries in a shaker. Add lime, ginger syrup and bitters and shake. Pour ingredients and ice into a tall glass. Charge with ginger beer and garnish with blueberries.
From The One Below, The Rutland Hotel, 1-3 Rutland Street, Edinburgh.
Christmas punch 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 24 whole cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 crushed nutmeg seed, the peel of 1 satsuma (or orange) and 1 lemon, 2.5 cups of hot lemon or lime juice, 2 litres apple juice, slice of lemon to serve.
Method: Heat the water in a saucepan, add sugar, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and peel. Bring to the boil and boil for 5 minutes. Turn down heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the liquid thickens to a syrup. Strain the syrup into a large pot and add the lemon/lime juice. Increase the heat until the mixture is bubbling gently. Now add the apple juice and keep the mixture on a low heat until warmed through entirely. Serve with a slice of lemon.
From Cringletie House Hotel, Edinburgh Road, Peebles.
- Also, remember to offer guests food - they'll drink less and it will stop them getting drunk too quickly - but avoid salty snacks, which can just make them thirsty.
