Woman Admits She Wishes Non-Drinker ‘Wouldn’t Come’ to Holiday Party: ‘We All Intend to Have a Good Amount to Drink’

A woman says she’s feeling disappointed after learning that one of the guests she invited to her holiday gathering doesn’t plan to drink alcohol.

Sharing her frustration on the community forum Mumsnet, the woman explained that she and her husband had envisioned a lively, alcohol-filled celebration with family. That plan, she said, felt slightly derailed when one guest informed her ahead of time that he would be opting out of drinking.

“We are having Christmas at home just family and we all intend to have a good amount of drink, play a few silly party games, music and just let our hair down,” she wrote.

She added that the guest had asked for alcohol-free beer instead. While he does drink generally, she said he had simply chosen not to on this particular occasion.

The woman admitted that the decision left her feeling irritated and even regretful about extending the invitation in the first place.

“I feel a bit miffed, to be honest, that we are all going to be drinking and one sober person will be sitting there watching,” she continued. “I really wish they would not come if they are just going to sit there and remember everything.”

Her post sparked strong reactions from other users, many of whom criticized her attitude and pushed back against the idea that drinking should be expected at social gatherings.

“You are being ridiculous,” one commenter wrote. “For a start, you should never pressure any person to drink alcohol. You have no idea if he might be struggling with a dependency. Why does it matter to you anyway what another person chooses to put in their own body?”

Another person echoed that sentiment, saying the concern was misplaced. “If it doesn’t bother him, it shouldn’t bother you. He might have very good reasons not to drink. That shouldn’t mean he should be excluded from social events.”

Some commenters went further, suggesting the issue might reflect the host’s own relationship with alcohol. One reader wrote, “I truly think you have an issue if you’re concerned that someone isn’t drinking.”

Others took a more practical view. “Thank goodness there is going to be one person sober enough to sort out any emergencies that might arise from the drunken chaos that you seem to be planning!” another commenter joked.

Overall, the responses made it clear that many readers felt choosing not to drink should never be a reason to feel unwelcome at a celebration.