With the holiday season now here the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) is encouraging everyone to look after each other around alcohol.
“Holidays are a time for celebration and getting together with friends and family,” says ALAC’s Pacific Manager Metua Bates. “However, sometimes the reason for the season can be ruined by too much alcohol. If you choose to offer alcohol at your home during these holidays, set the tone and make it a safe and enjoyable occasion,” she says. “Ask for help and offer help. Co-operation lightens everyone’s load. Make sure there are activities that the kids will enjoy; if they’re having fun everyone will have fun.
“At this time of year we may spend time with people we generally avoid. If things get tense take a deep breath, change the subject or walk away. Turning to drink won’t solve the problem.
“Being a responsible host helps to eliminate situations which could lead to at-risk drinking.”
Advice for hosting friends and family these holidays
Set your expectations in advance
Be clear what you’re inviting people over for – and what you’re not expecting to happen. If you know there are some people that are likely to get drunk, talk to them in advance and put things in place to keep them safe.
Plan to do things other than eat and drink
The best bit about social occasions like parties and celebrations is catching up with people and having fun. Plan entertainment or activities to get people up out of their chairs and talking and laughing, but don’t mix alcohol with any potentially dangerous activities.
Provide substantial food - not just chippies
Make sure there is always plenty of food available and keep passing it around. You could ask people to bring a plate so you don’t have to provide it all yourself.
Serve interesting non-alcoholic drinks
It’s surprising how people will really enjoy something like a grapefruit and tonic with a chunk of mint in it for a change.
Only refill empty glasses
Wait until your guest’s glass is empty before you refill it – and ask them if they would like another drink first. If someone says “no” to a refill, don’t insist.
Don’t keep serving your guests until they are drunk
If you see someone getting too tiddly, get them to ease up on the alcohol and offer them some coffee or a yummy nonalcoholic cocktail instead.
Push Play
Get out all the old sports gear for a game of backyard cricket (kilikiti), volleyball, touch, softball or frisbee.
Supervise the kids
If young children are going to be there make sure there’s a responsible adult or older person looking out for them and providing entertainment.
Set an end time
Make a time for the party/BBQ to end and stick to it.
Look after your guests
Don’t let them drive home if they have had too much to drink. Encourage guests to plan ahead to share rides with a designated sober driver or offer them a bed for the night. Don’t let people walk home alone.
Ia manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou
Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou
Kilisimasi fiefia mo ha ta’u fo’ou monu’ia Me Nomuni na marau ni siga ni sucu kei na tawase ni yabaki vou
Ia orana no te noere Ia orana i te matahiti api
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