10 Creative Ways to Get Out of a New Year’s Champagne Toast

1. Sparkling Grape Juice Trick

This is a very simple way to keep with the tradition of the New Year’s champagne toast. Simply enlist the aid of a bartender or server and ask them to bring you a sparkling white grape juice instead of the traditional champagne.

2. Make a Point that you are Driving

Drinking and driving is a very large issue and most people who are designated drivers do not drink at all, not even for a toast.

3. When Countered with ‘it is Only one Drink,’ Explain

Explain that officers will be out, on New Year’s Eve especially. They will be looking for anything that is amiss so even one drink is enough to arouse. Explain that you want to be absolutely certain that you will not be under suspicion of drinking and driving.

4. When they are Passing out the Champagne, get Skipped

Intentionally be in the bathroom or elsewhere when they are passing out the champagne. You can keep a regular glass with you and toast with it. If someone asks, simply say you were in the bathroom or elsewhere and got skipped, then shrug it off.

5. Say that You Have an Allergy to Certain Types of Champagne

You can purposely avoid the champagne toast altogether by leaving the room or building until it’s over.

Some people are allergic to specific type of grapes and specific preservatives and processes. It is an easy excuse to say that you are allergic and you forget which kind you are allergic to.

6. Champagne goes Straight to Your Head

Many people have issues drinking champagne. It is not unusual for people to complain of a champagne hangover or other such condition after drinking it. By saying that it goes straight to your head, you leave yourself open to asking for grape juice or another beverage to toast with.

7. State that You Have to be Up in the Morning

An easy excuse is that you have to be up in the morning. There are businesses that are open on New Year’s Day and a lot of family events. It is easy to use one of them as an excuse not to drink. Although you might hear arguments that it is only one drink, just say no thanks and continue on your way.

8. You do not Enjoy Champagne

Saying that you do not like the taste of champagne is one of the easiest excuses possible. Simply stating that the taste disgusts you is enough to make most people back off on asking you to drink it.

20 Polite excuses not to drink during the holidays

9. Tell them you Do Not Drink

There is nothing like the truth. Simply tell them that you do not choose to drink. You do not have to give them a reason, although if you suspect the person asking also has a problem you might want to tell them the truth.

10. Simply Say No Thank You

Say no thanks and seek out some sparkling grape juice. In our society, there are enough people who do not drink that most New Year’s Eve parties will have a champagne substitute. You do not have to explain what is going on or why you are not drinking. It really is no one’s business but your own.

If you do find yourself taking that New Year’s Eve drink and have a problem with alcohol, it is time to seek treatment. For more information on treatment programs near you, call us at 1-800-895-1695.