Dry housewarming, worried guests will bring alcohol
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Anonymous
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We are having a housewarming party and I know most of the people coming dont realize we don't drink due to religious reasons. I am worried guests will bring wine, etc. what can I do? Accept it? Return it? We don't serve alcohol in our house either.
What is the thankful and respectful thing to do? |
Anonymous
| Just say thank you and set it aside. If you haven't sent the invite yet, it's fine to say "we respectfully request you do not bring alcohol. Thank you." |
Anonymous
| That is a great thing for guests to know in advance. If the party is in the ending, many people will expect to be served wine or beer at the least. |
Anonymous
| Oops - evening |
Anonymous
| I don't drink but if I have guests to my home I am obligated to provide them everything that brings them comfort and joy. They are after all my guest, I am not theirs. I provide refreshments which they enjoy, otherwise why invite them over. |
Anonymous
Everything that brings them comfort and joy? I don't think so. Reasonable people can enjoy a social event without alcohol; the rest can decide to decline any further invitations. |
Anonymous
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You invited people who don't know you don't believe in serving alcohol? Information you should have communicated in advance.
Should be a fun night. |
Anonymous
That's fine if it is a preference thing, but not if it is a religious matter. You wouldn't expect an observant Jew to make you pork in cream sauce for dinner just because it brings you "comfort and joy," right? Why expect someone who doesn't drink and doesn't have alcohol in their home due to religious restrictions to serve you alcohol? OP, I would just graciously accept whatever gifts are given, and then bring any alcohol to coworkers or other friends that do drink. Presumably if people are close enough to you to come to your housewarming, they probably have some clue that you don't drink, right? |
Anonymous
I am a drinker, maybe even a heavy drinker (per another thread on here!), and even I don't expect people to serve me alcohol when we visit, regardless of if they drink or not. Sure, I'd love wine with dinner, or a cocktail while we chat, but water is a-okay too and doesn't make me "uncomfortable." Visiting with my friends brings me comfort and joy, regardless of what I'm drinking. |
Anonymous
How close are these friends that they don't know this about you? |
Anonymous
Well, according to another thread on DCUM most people only drink 1-2 drinks less than 3 times per week. They will just consider it one of their non-drinking nights. 
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Anonymous
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Presumably you're inviting friends who have probably already noticed and will bring a houseplant instead. If they do bring alcohol, just regift it/give it to a friend or neighbor you like who drinks.
Side note: I disagree that you are obligated to serve alcohol to give your guests "comfort and joy." WTF. I'm a drinker with lots of non drinking friends due to religion, diet, or personal preference and I wouldn't be fazed by a dry party. |
Anonymous
| Accept it. The polite thing to do is always accept a gift graciously. Plenty of people accept gifts they don't use. Re-gift it. Pour it down the sink if necessary, but accept the gift. Later you can always express that details re: your life. Or if someone asks ahead of time, certainly tell them. |
Anonymous
| ^ don't serve it just because someone brings it, as a gift, to the party. That's ridiculous. |
Anonymous
+1 Adults should not expect alcohol but sadly most do. |