Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year. Unless you've stopped drinking, in which case it's a 31-day obstacle course of mulled wine, office parties and that one uncle asking “what, not even at Christmas?”
If someone you love is cutting down or has stopped, a good alcohol-free gift means a lot. It says “I've got you”. Not “have you considered a support group?”
Here are my favourites.
For the beer lover
The Yorkshire Alcohol Free Beer Gift Box: six cans from God's own county. There's a bottle version too. As a Scotsman living in Yorkshire, I'm legally obliged to recommend this first. The locals would run me out of Otley otherwise.
For craft beer fans, the Jump Ship gift set and the Nirvana gift set are six beers each, ready to wrap.
For Christmas dinner
Pierre Zéro Sparkling Chardonnay: a full bottle of French fizz at 0.0%, for the toast. Or Noughty Sparkling Rosé, organic and 0.0%, which BBC Good Food named the world-leading alcohol-free alternative to champagne. Put it next to the turkey and watch the uncle go quiet.
For the G&T fan
Pearsons London Botanic, a 0.0% London Dry-style gin alternative. Add Mediterranean tonic and a lemon. That's a gift. You're basically Santa.
For after the King's speech
Pallini Limonzero. Proper Italian limoncello at 0.0%, from a family making it since 1875. Ice cold, small glass, very sophisticated. Paper hat optional.
For the party animal
The Mixed Mocktail Bundle: six ready-to-drink cocktails. They'll never be handed a lemonade at a party again.
Not for the runner
If they've stopped drinking and taken up running, don't buy them drinks. Buy them a foam roller. They'll be out on a five-hour run on Boxing Day anyway. Swapped hangovers for hamstrings. Still out the game. Just with a festive bobble hat.
The deal bit
Buying for a few people? Mix any 6 drinks, gift sets included, for 5% off, up to 15% for 24. Gift sets come with a free gift note. More ideas in our gift guide.
The serious bit
Order early: orders ship in 2 to 3 working days and December gets busy. Every drink shows its exact ABV, so check the label if your person needs zero. And Christmas can be tough for people who've stopped, so a kind word goes as far as a gift.
