Make it a December to remember without losing your cool
As the song goes: ‘Tis the season to be jolly. And while we like to picture a bevy of happy holiday parties, blissful movie nights curled up on the couch and a steady train of perfectly prepared confections, every year we’re reminded that real life unfolds a little differently.
Reality looks more like shopping, cooking, eating, eating, eating, cleaning, decorating, wrapping, hosting and then more cooking and cleaning. Plus, if you’re travelling, you have to factor in airport chaos and slippery road conditions. Despite your best intentions, sometimes the holidays can feel like a pressure cooker of unbridled joy.
This December, set yourself up for yuletide success with a few helpful tips from your super chill friends at Sober Carpenter.
How to have yourself a merry little chilled-out Christmas
- Forget perfection
Whether you’re Type A, B or even Z, it’s time to give up on the idea that anything can be perfect. Even perfection itself is flawed. Rather than getting stuck on the details of how you want your holiday to go, focus on the big, beautiful picture.
- Make some me time
We’re serious––add it to your to-do list if you have to. Take at least 30 minutes out of your hectic schedule to do something YOU enjoy. Maybe that’s reading a book, a phone call to a friend or a soak in a hot tub.
- Practice intentional gifting
Instead of wrapping up something you picked up somewhere at some point, think like the receiver and consider what they need––be intentional about your gifting. And for the person who has EVERYTHING, consider an experience gift like tickets to see their favourite artist, dinner at a new local hotspot or a thoughtful subscription.
With Sober January just around the corner, a Sober Carpenter subscription could be your ticket earning major gifting points. Once a month, we’ll deliver bestselling alcohol-free craft beer right to their door. They get to choose their membership products, and we’ve made it easy to skip, pause, or even cancel. BONUS: It’s very easy to wrap.
- Cut your own Christmas tree
Instead of bringing home a pre-cut tree from your local hardware store, we highly recommend a cut-your-own-tree experience. Not only is cutting your own tree a great excuse to enjoy the great outdoors but it's also a wonderful way to spend time with family or friends. Plus, you know you’re getting the freshest tree possible.
How does it work? Throughout the holiday season, tree farms open their doors to families looking for the perfect Christmas tree and an authentic Hallmark holiday feeling. Oftentimes, your tree-cutting adventure is paired with sleigh rides, hot cocoa, Santa and more.
- Go for a walk
No matter your schedule or your to-do list, it’s important to carve out moments in your day for movement. Go for a walk (alone or with a friend), book a spinning class, put your skates on or hit the gym. Exercise is food for the stressed brain.
- Drink less alcohol
If you’re here, you’re already sold on the idea of cutting back on booze. Sober Carpenter makes it easy to enjoy the great taste of craft beer without suffering through a hangover the next day. This time of year, we like to get festive with our Belgian-style White Beer by mixing it with orange juice––we call it the “Sober Mimosa”. Hosting a holiday brunch? Make this drink your go-to and we guarantee guests will be asking for seconds.
- Holiday movie marathon
With so many streaming services available, there’s no shortage of heart-warming holiday flicks to choose from––including classics from your childhood and belly-laugh-inducing Christmas comedies. Make some hot cocoa, pop some corn, curl up with your favourite person(s) or animal, and take a moment to soak in the spirit of the season.
- Make food in advance
If you ask us, the best part of the holidays is the food. But let’s be honest, there’s only so much food you can make in one day. Why not prepare a few dishes in advance and refrigerate or freeze? This year, we’re excited to serve our family Sober Carpenter Pretzel Bread, made with our alcohol-free West Coast IPA. It can easily be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer––then reheat before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.
Cross the stress off your list and make room for the things that make YOU happy––trimming your tree, holiday movie marathons, get-togethers with friends, skate dates & more. What your Christmas looks like and feels like is entirely in your hands.
From our families to yours, Happy Holidays!
Play safe.