–posted on behalf of Quinn–

Q.        This is year is my first Thanksgiving ever being 21. While not the only
part, drinking is a big part of my family’s way of celebration for the
holidays. I’ve never joined in before because I just felt awkward about
it, particularly in front of my parents. My younger cousins will drink
with family; even my siblings have. I expect there will be at least some
pressure for me to drink this Thanksgiving since there has been in the
past but I still feel basically awkward about it. How should I handle
alcohol-included holidays?

A.         Every ad for alcohol includes a disclaimer at the bottom that asks you
to please drink responsibly. You know the basics of that statement: don’t
drink and drive, don’t leave a drink unattended, don’t drink on medication
or if you’ve already gotten sick (a.k.a. stop drinking once you’ve thrown
up), etc. Essentially that should be your game plan for the holidays, but
there are a few extra qualifications. Don’t let yourself get pressured
into drinking if you don’t want to – that includes if you feel
uncomfortable or if you simply don’t want a drink. Granted you don’t have
the fall back excuse of claiming it’s illegal anymore, but like another
health awareness ad points out, you can always just say no. It also
probably isn’t a very responsible idea to get completely and utterly
wasted drunk either. People do stupid things when trashed. Stupid things
at family functions become family legends – and do you really want to
listen to dramatic retellings of your drunken escapades at every holiday
meal for the rest of your life? Didn’t think so. Ultimately, if you’re
responsible about it, it doesn’t what you choose to drink with your turkey
this Thanksgiving. Feel free to upgrade to wine, but remember the
sparkling cider is always there as a backup if you change your mind.