Ep 98: How to Survive and Actually Enjoy Christmas Parties

What if the festive season could bring more connection, confidence, and genuine fun… without the dread (or the hangover)? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, your host Anna shares how to survive Christmas parties, whether you’re alcohol free, moderating, or just rethinking your relationship with drinking.  

Drawing on personal stories and practical coaching insight, Anna covers how Christmas parties often trigger reflex drinking and cultural pressures, and shares simple, powerful strategies to help you stay true to what you want from the season. From pre-party mindset resets to mastering your exit plan (hello, Irish Goodbye!). This episode is packed with real-life tools, gentle encouragement, and tips for waking up clear-headed, proud, and totally FOMO-free.

Here are the Highlights:

00:41 Why Christmas parties stir up both excitement and anxiety  

03:25 How cultural scripts and past habits hijack our choices  

08:05 The three key questions to set your party intentions  

11:25 Alcohol free versus moderation, how to pick your best path  

12:50 Busting myths, you’re not the only one cutting down!  

16:23 Pre-party grounding and creating “joy drinks”  

22:05 Social pressure, responses, and the power of changing the subject  

24:22 Finding your wingman and safe spaces  

26:42 Micro check-ins: Don’t confuse boredom with wanting a drink  

27:52 Planning your exit and mastering the Irish Goodbye  

30:37 End of night rituals for real rewards  

Ready to rethink your Christmas party season? Tune in to get inspired, energised, and equipped for whatever December throws your way.

Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 

To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment:  https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experiment

And apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

To pre-order my book, What Are You Thirsty For on Amazon select here: https://amzn.eu/d/3v3T6Mq Or on Waterstones here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607