Sounds impossible I know but now I've renounced alcohol for good I'm still keen to have a fun stag do before my wedding next year. How can I have a great night without alcohol, given the intrinsic stag night / alcohol association? How do I make sure my friends don't feel let down (almost all of them do drink and drink heartily)? Help!
2007-03-10 10:13:19 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Some good answers so far but I feel I should elaborate: the no-alcohol thing is far from arbitrary, so basically drugs are out too. Thanks for the sentiment but the point is 'substance-free' rather than just alcohol-free. Cheers.
2007-03-10 10:24:39 · update #1
Again, just to clarify - I've got no issue with my friends drinking, far from it! I mean substance-free with respect to myself. The difficulty doesn't come from other people not drinking - i wouldn't want them abstaining on my account - but from the fact that most groom pranks and windups stem from him being very drunk, or certainly not sober. That's the point.
2007-03-11 00:10:25 · update #2
Do you & the boys like to do anything special?
Like going to a game; baseball, football or other sport? What about you guys going out for a paintball game? Maybe golf is your bag? :)
We buy into the myth that the only way people can have fun is by becoming intoxicated. And we use it as an excuse for bad behavior. It is NEVER an excuse.
This night isn't about your buddies. It's about you & the changes of life. It is a celebration. If they can't respect your decison to no longer drink, then they really aren't your friends; so I wouldn't worry about them.
Plan something you would enjoy doing
(I don't suggest staying home & doing your nails. :) )
Your true friends will come & support you no matter what you choose to do, because they ARE your friends & want to share this time with you. The others don't matter.
2007-03-10 10:27:27 · answer #1 · answered by weddrev 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I found I was pregnant a couple weeks before my wedding and a week before my "bachelorette party" which was basically just going to a club and dancing. I ended up being designated driver and I had the best time. Years later now that I am more mature and lived life I have to say I disagree with wild parties before the wedding completely. I think if your friends care enough about you and you explain why you don't want alcohol there then they will understand. You can go bowling, watch movies, go play some pool or something and if you go to a pool hall there will be alcohol there and your guys can have a beer or 2 unless being in that type of enviroment will cause you to drink. I know for me when I swore off alchohol I also had to swear off any place that served it cuz I can't say no. I really admire you and would like to congratulate you. I think I have more fun hanging out with my friends now without the alcohol then I did with it. We get high on life and still laugh as much with no puking, no woman balling cuz there is always one that gets all emotional, no hangovers. Have a great life your fiance has found a great guy or gal. Not sure which you are right at the moment LOL.
2007-03-10 12:01:40 · answer #2 · answered by Ladybugs77 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you on giving up the booze. But I'm not sure why you want your stag do to be completely booze free - doesn't seem fair on your friends unless you are worried that seeing them dink might encourage you.
If that is the case then I think you have to stay away from anywhere that booze is served - someone will find a way to drink if it is there.
Are you an 'outdoorsy' type - taking a really fancy picnic to the top of a hill with some friends, maybe even camping might be your style.
Or if you prefer home comforts why not stay at home? Some DVDs, maybe an x-box championship. Take-aways or splash out and get outside caterers to do you a nice meal (hey you're not spending ont he booze). Buy a juicer and loads of fruit/veggies and get everyone to prepare weird concoctions.
There are loads of 'manly' activities you can do that don't involve booze. What about you all going and getting a proper shave in a barbers? Taking part in a sporting activity or paintballing? Learning a new sport like diving or surfing where hangovers just don't work?
Can I come?
2007-03-10 22:09:10 · answer #3 · answered by Leapling 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it is your do and you must have very good reasons for becoming a teetotaler! I'm female and I hardly drink a drop but I always have a fantastic time when I go out and people are always astounded by how much fun I can have without it! I do think it's harder for a man though because most men find it really really hard to socialise (especially in the pub) without a pint in their hand! There are loads of things you could do! Why not take them on an activity day- clay pigeon shooting, archery, quad biking etc or rally driving! Doing motor sports could be your answer as it would mean you not drinking anyway! There are many days out you could enjoy! I've just found a link for you if you're interested in outdoor activities! http://www.goape.co.uk/
Have fun! Your friends can still have a few bevvies, even if you're not!
2007-03-10 10:27:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be honest if your friends are drinkers I don't see the point of inviting them to such a Stag Night, they will either not turn up or moan the whole night. To me your answer is either go out somewhere with others who have renounced alcolhol, I imagine you are part of some organisation? Ideas already posted would give you a great night. If these others are old time, good friends and you are determined not to drink it is unfair to expect them to do the same. I am a trained, qualified addiction counsellor and most of my clients came for alcohol or drugs. I am familiar with most situations. Despite what is commonly said alcoholism is not an illness (sorry AA folk and I would never despute the good job you do) but an addiction. I don't know your reasons for renouncing drink but you can't expect other controlled drinkers to do as you do. If you had a problem and know you cannot be in the environment of others who drink, forget the whole thing. Majority of people in which category your friends seem to be in will not only moan but find away of having a drink if that's what they expect of such a night out.........they will either smuggle it in to where you are going or nip out for some. Don't kid yourself an alcohol free night with these people is not going to happen. Wishing you the best of luck and think carefully of the way round this. As I said don't know if you have given up drink because of a problem but if you have don't put yourself in a compromising situation.
2007-03-10 11:58:12 · answer #5 · answered by Ms Mat Urity 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definately try a paintballing day, quad biking, go-karting - crazy things you want to do but never have the time to do!
Then finish it all off with a curry or an Italian - whatever it is you fancy.
Days out are more and more of a stag thing nowadays! Personally, I'm delighted :)
2007-03-11 23:53:15 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs Stevo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do something where there is activity involved; Go to a horse race meeting; or to the dogs; bothe CAN involve drink but it's optional.
Go bowling; go to a gig; go to a Quasar place or do one of those adult adventure things where you shoot paintballs at each other; Go quad biking; do ALL of the above in the one day. I think it's virtually impossible to avoid alcohol unless your mates are like-minded, which you say they're not. what you might succeed at is minimising the amount they drink. Think about some sort of activity thing - if people have enough to occupy their minds, and are worn out enough, they won't have the inclination or energy to drink - much.
2007-03-11 06:38:25 · answer #7 · answered by marie m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of things you can do. Plan an outing that all your buddies like to do or you can stay home and play board games, charades or most anything, You can also serve Virgin Marys or nonalcoholic beer. Whatever you plan KUDOS to you for not wanting alcohol at your stag night.
2007-03-10 10:55:04 · answer #8 · answered by mammafran77 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
one of my friends had more of a 'stag day'. He went go karting and paintballing. why not do things like that? it may not be the traditional night out but theres not temptation too drink and your friend will probably be having too much of a good time to think about it. good luck!
2007-03-10 10:19:16 · answer #9 · answered by pumpkin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i dont drink, when i go out i still have a laugh, even though everyone else is. i suppose you could go to the casino, dog track, paintballing at night (that would be cool), go-carting. why not make a full day and night of it.
2007-03-10 10:20:57 · answer #10 · answered by sean_5505 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋