Tell them whatever feels comfortable for you. Perhaps you could tell them that you have decided to make better choices for yourself. Or.... that you want to enjoy the Holiday fully alert and functioning. Or.... that you are taking meds that do not allow alcohol. Or that you cannot control your drinking once you start. Or that you are the designated driver. Or..... well the list is endless and you can make up as many reasons NOT to drink as you can make up reasons to drink.

Make the RIGHT CHOICE and enjoy the Holidays!

BE WELL.

Tell them whatever feels comfortable for you. Perhaps you could tell them that you have decided to make better choices for yourself. Or.... that you want to enjoy the Holiday fully alert and functioning. Or.... that you are taking meds that do not allow alcohol. Or that you cannot control your drinking once you start. Or that you are the designated driver. Or..... well the list is endless and you can make up as many reasons NOT to drink as you can make up reasons to drink.

Make the RIGHT CHOICE and enjoy the Holidays!

BE WELL.

I use the old "I'm on antibiotics" - the double bonus is you can sit quietly if you wish and people just assume you are a little under the weather with an infection - of what ever you want - throat infection usually does the trick
Good Luck

I have just been looking through some AA literature that I have which might help you in your 'xmas (not)drinking'situation and I have found a book which they call 'Living sober'[ and it has some excellent advice and suggestions that may help you on your way.It is quite a lenghty piece,but here is a piece that I think you may find useful.
Upon arriving at such a party,it is usually best to head straight for the bar (or the kitchen or wherever the drink is in , glass in hand,your case!!) and get your self a glass of gingerale or other soda.No one knows whether it is an alcoholic drink or not. Then we can walk about socializing ,glass in hand, without feeling conspicuous.
This experience was quite revealing to many of us when we first had it.We discovered to our suprise that (1) others peoples drinking is not what we thought it was,and (2) very,very few people observe, or care, whether or not we drink alcohol.(some expectations to the latter are likely to be loving friends or relatives,who are usually glad to see us doing something about our drinking.)
Theres is loads more and if you can get hold of a copy all the more better for you as it is an excellent read and will get you through many a pickle!!!It also suggetst that you try and stay in contact with a nother fellow alkie,you will not only being helping yourself ,but im sure you will be helping another also.
Good Luck and have a very Merry 'safe' xmas xxx

I just tell people the truth (not that I've been asked much) that they don't want to see me drinking. If things get too hairy, it's good to have a contingency plan so you can bow out early if you have to. I also like Debi33's advice. that's a great book for anyone in or out of the program for solutions to everyday dilemmas the alcoholic may come across and just for good, common sense support through the bumpy spots.
Hope that helps.
Good luck!
JMRH

I was in a similar situation during a recent wedding with my boyfriends family. My family knows the whole story about why I'm "not drinking at the moment" so they were good about keeping the booze away and stopping me if I "thought I could just have one glass of wine" but with his family I just said that I wasn't drinking because I was trying to figure my life out. Everyone really supported it, and since my boyfriend has a tendancy to overdrink at family gatherings, I think they were all proud that they knew their son was with someone strong enough to say no. Either way, just stick to your guns. Only tell them what you're comfortable telling them. I hope your xmas goes great!!!!

Tell them your an Alcoholic I do.

It seems to stop them offering you drinks and often is a good party talking piece.

I have no fears in saying it, but I can understand why some do.

People say to me why are you not drinking, I just say cos I am a Piss Head and I do not know when to stop, besides you probably like me more when I am sober.

I have another friend that takes the same approach and he has fun with it.

Anyway after all, half the people you tell are secret alcoholics, and they have high admiration for you achievement.

Even people that do not drink, normally know some one that does, and they all tell me that I am doing so well.

I have a diesease, why should I not tell the truth ??

You may not wish to be so honest, but it does cut the crap, if not just say your taking a break, the old anti biotics etc, but I prefer to hit them head on, and have fun with the reactions.

Up to you, but have a wonderful great sober Xmas whatever you do

Trickey

for me i just don't go around drunk's but that's just me, my family was really abusive I don't have xmas with them, and that's the way i like it, but i have my gf and my 3 cats and my son and daughter.

Some are sicker than others, @ any of my family gatherings, they would absolutely hide the alcohol (scared of what might happen). Otherwise I always said I was allergic to it, it keeps them wandering. Worse comes to worse you can do the ginger ale thing.
@ this point I am proud to be alcoholic & it is widely known. Your actions could be inspirational to all your foes, especially your younger genereation. Oh by the way, watch those prison guys, they'll be GOD-like when they're down!!

May the truth set you free. I stay sober for me. If anyone looks down on me for trying to be a better functioning man. I guess I cannot win them all. Advice for family function. Let them know you are an alcoholic if you are. So if you need to leave they will know why. Good luck and God Bless you.

I've been thorugh eight of them sober so it is possible... I just tell my family I don't drink. Me and alcohol don't get along.

I spent thanksgiving in Illinois watching half of them get smashed and it really didn't bother me at all.

I don't need to have a drink to enjoy myself.

I don't really care about the opinions of people who alter their chemistry to be okay either.

I laughed my butt off the whole time.

If you start to feel uncomfortable ask if you can help in some way. I find that when I am being of service I don't think about me. Which is great in a situation like that.

Keep a drink of some kind in your hand like a coke or something too. If someone trys to hand you a drink and you already have one in your hand it's kind of hard to take it:)

i'm not sure how your family is, but the way i feel they shouldn't even ask you why you aren't drinking. if they do ask, just tell them the truth, if they love you, they will be proud of you for what you are doing. my advice, no matter what the situation, enjoy the time with your family, you never know when it will be the last christmas with them. good luck