Keep the Spirit in Christmas, and Out of Your Wallet

Drinking and driving is not a millionaire mindset. It sounds like such a no-brainer, but there are still lots of people who don't get it.

It's that time of the year when most of us like to celebrate, party, eat, drink and be merry. From holiday parties at work to dinner with the in-laws, most people will declare any occasion an opportunity to indulge in alcohol. But what happens when that indulgence turns to excess? Excess to the point where you jeopordize your health, someone else's health and your source of income?

For over decade I worked as an executive assistant, planning everything from backyard barbeques at the boss' house to sales banquets at local hotels to holiday parties at convention centers. And without fail, I could always count on at least one employee indulging a little too much on the alcohol. Fortunately, companies recognize the high probability of this happening, along with their liability if something happens as the result of their employee's indiscretion.

That's why companies now tell employees to call a taxi if they're going to drink, even if it's not at a company function. Employers realize that the holidays affect people differently. It's not a happy time for everyone; some become depressed, some bitter, and some angry. And alcohol is often their drug of choice to dull the pain. And then you have those who drink just because it's available.

There's nothing wrong with adults enjoying an adult beverage. But, responsibility and good old common sense can go a long way in helping you keep the spirit in Christmas and out of your wallet.

I still remember the day my boss called me into his office, and told me to call a cab and have them at our office at 10AM the following morning. Being the good assistant that I was, I asked who would they be picking up? Would it be cash or charge? Blah, blah, blah... He gave me the name of the employee and said tell them that you're paying cash, and that they should take him wherever he wants to go.

~Hmmm... ~

As it turned out, this employee had attended a cookout at the boss' lake home the weekend prior and had had a little too much to drink. I guess his overindulgence came with an extra dose of courage and he chose that time to not only tell his supervisor how he really felt about him, but also to start a physical fight. This employee was a territory manager with a company car. And his actions resulted in him losing his job.

Do you think it was worth it? I know it wasn't. And I know the rest of you on this millionaire journey agree.

So, what can you do to keep the spirit in Christmas and out of your wallet?

1. Offer a cash bar. People have a tendency to drink less when they're spending their own money.
2. Don't drink and drive. If you know you're going to drink, designate a driver BEFORE you go out. This is such a no-brainer, but there are still far too many people who don't get it.
3. Offer non-alcoholic drinks. I don't drink alcohol, but I love Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice during the holidays. I also like drinks mixed with ginger ale. A few other recipes to try:

Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3 oz fresh strawberries (you can also use frozen strawberries or strawberry syrup)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Cracked ice

Directions:
Fill lime juice, strawberries, and sugar into a blender. Blend until smooth, then add the cracked ice and blend again until smooth.
Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with whole strawberry or mince leave.
Serve with a straw.

7-UP Christmas Bowl Recipe

20 oz frozen raspberry in syrup
12 oz frozen lemonade cocentrate
46 oz pineapple juice
64 oz chilled 7-Up® soda

Place raspberries and lemonade in blender, process till smooth. Strain into punch bowl. Discard seeds. Stir in pineapple juice. Just before serving, add 7-Up.

Amaretto Stone Sweet Recipe

2 1/2 oz Blanks® amaretto
2 oz cherry syrup
4 oz orange juice
4 oz 7-Up® soda
ice

Blend with ice.

Lisa Maria Carroll, is one of the 3 women, along with Kim Crouch and Tina Fortune, who are on the Millionaire Journey. You can follow us on the Journey by joining the Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Millionaire-Journey/165487378056?ref=ts or the Millionaire Journey blog at http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com