When I was growning up we always had some wine in the house (red wine) . We serve wine to our friend when they come . There is always New Year's Eve that you have to watch for . To much alcohol and that can be deadly for people that drink and drive . My father drank and my brother does , also. My father stopped drinking after he became ill from cancer and stop smoking .

Yes, the holidays are fun and lots of parties to go to , but you have to watch how much you take in or have a desinated drive .

I do have alcohol available when we entertain but the last few years I've been serving Sparkling grape juice. With the exception of only one person, my guests don't seem to want alcohol. We host an anuual Christmas dinner party for the last 20 years. We'd stock up and put out the alcohol for our guests. I noticed one or two people make themselves a drink. Those who lived far away never touched it. I stopped putting it out and no one said a word. Alcohol is not a necessary ingredient for a good party. I'd wonder about folks who say they absolutely *must* have it to make a party fun.

We offer our guests beer and wine. Some partake, others don't. It's apersonal preference. We also have bottled water and sodas. Everyone seems to be sensible. Our oldest turns 21 this year and so do his friends. Now we enter another stage!

Well I don't serve any alcohol and we never have it at my sons either even though they both enjoy their beer and a good margarita from time to time. Can't say anyone at these gatherings ever miss the booze either. I make a mean and tasty fruit punch....Want to have a lot of fun, tell people that the punch contains Vodka and watch some of them become intoxicated (mentally) its a hoot...they really think they're tipsy...

[ December 11, 2005, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

You mean you tell them the punch has vodka, but it doesn't?

Somehow I got talked into having a new Year's Eve party. I think it will be a blast except I think it will be missing something without alcohol. Hardly anyone drinks anymore though some smoke and smoke gives others asthma attacks. Some can't eat fat. Some can't eat sugar. Others are vegetarians. then there's the adkins diet.

Baby boomers are kind of like the glass half full or half empty. They are either half dead or half alive and partying with them is a test. If you pass, you get to go on to the other half of your life. Either way, we're all half way to the grave. Having a party for baby boomers is like running a hospital. In fact, I'm thinking of having an ambulance on stand by.
There's alcoholics, addicts, diabetics, high cholesterol, kidney problems, cirrhosis of the liver, broken bones, surgeries. You name it, somebody's got it. And they love telling you all about it -- in detail.
At one time guys talked about women, fast cars and football. Now they talk about going bald and Viagra (Oh lord deliver me). The women used to talk about guys, makeup and clothes. Now we discuss gall bladder problems, face lifts, and hot flashes. I'm telling ya' it's a hospital.

Oh well, at least we all have a lot in common.

smile

[ December 13, 2005, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: smilinize ]

SMILES...this has all the markings of a good article! Go for it!

JJ

Too funny! I'm with JJ. This would make a great article.

Smiles, this is so true! I'm hardly baking a darn thing this year because no one eats it any more. What's up iwth that? It's Christmas for heaven's sake.

What ARE you serving? Paper products and water?

Hahaha..Smiles...your post just made my day...I can't wait to quote you at a Boomer dinner party I am attending Friday night...the hostess called me this morning to ask if Ray or I have any food or drink restrictions....I said..."Hell no!!! bring on the fats and the carbs...I have declared a 2 week moratorium on healthy eating!!!." MMM...just thinking about all of those cakes and cookies and fudge not to mention the crab balls and baked brie and nachos and and and...aren't the Holidays wonderful???