‘Tis the season to get merry, but that doesn’t necessarily have to mean overdoing it on the vino and waking up with the mother of all hangovers. The lead-up to Christmas is, traditionally, a bit of a heavy one on the old drinking front: mulled wine, Prosecco, rum and coke, Baileys, gin and tonic, bucks fizz, brandy… by the time we get to the other side of Christmas lots of us will have made a hefty dent in the bar cart.
But, if you'd rather swerve vomcanos and sore heads, there are other ways to capture the spirit of Christmas without resorting to err, actual spirits (so vodka, you can sit this one out).
We love a pub at Christmas, but more often than not it means that the next day is a write-off. Instead of getting steadily drunker, spilling secrets then stewing in the fear the next day, try a group activity like ice-skating that's fun, festive, adorably wholesome and only low-key dangerous if you're wiped out by your wobbly friend. And, swap the beer jacket for a hot chocolate.
Try: Luxury Hot Chocolate, £12, Whittard
Having a gathering? We're all for the melty camembert with chunks of baguette, or brie and stilton with crackers. But rather than washing it down with a glass of wine, we heard a cheese board pairs rather well with cider. Even better, Drynks have created a Smashed Apple Cider that's completely alcohol free, but tastes like the real deal. Winning.
Try: Smashed Cider, £23 for 12, Drynks
When it's this cold outside, we fully support a steamy bubble bath to warm your cockles. If you want to go boujee, chuck in your favourite bath oils or salts, light up a festive candle and treat yourself to a glass of chilled bubbly. Nope, not talking about champagne… or Prosecco.
Kombucha has a lot of crossover with sparkling wine, and like Prosecco or champagne, there are hundreds of options to choose from all with slightly different flavours. This sparkling English rose infused rendition features notes of rose petals and elderflower, and bonus rather than leaving you with a throbbing headache, it can leave you with a clearer complexion and a happier gut.
Try: LA Brewery Sparkling English Rose Kombucha, £9.99, Ocado
One of the best things about Christmas is the telly schedule. Give us some snuggly PJs, a festive film (The Holiday) and a hot drink and we're happy to hibernate. But instead of a hot toddy or a mulled wine, try mulled apple juice. You can whip it up easy. Pick up your favourite apple juice – you can go as basic or as schmancy as you like – put it in a pan on a low heat on the hob, chuck in the Schwartz mulled cider spice and, once it's warmed through, pour it into your favourite mug. Peak cosy.
Try: Schwartz Mulled Cider Spice, £1.45, Ocado
From fancy festive afternoon teas to cosy igloos overlooking the capital's skyline.
For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
