Alcohol Sales Soar on Thanksgiving Eve as 'Drinksgiving' Tradition Gains Momentum
A growing trend is seeing people let loose and enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving night out with friends at bars. Dubbed "Blackout Wednesday" or "Drinksgiving," the tradition has gained traction in recent years, especially among those seeking to reconnect with hometown friends ahead of the holiday weekend.
According to data from BeerBoard, on-premise alcohol sales surged 39.6% last year compared to Thanksgiving Eve 2023, with tequila experiencing a significant spike in demand. Other spirits and beverages saw notable increases as well, including packaged beers and ciders. Wine sales rose by 28.7%.
Experts say the trend is driven by people seeking to break loose from stress and reconnect with friends before the intense family gatherings of Thanksgiving Day.
Jonathan Alpert, a New York City-based psychotherapist, notes that "people come home, fall back into familiar roles, and reconnect with friends who knew them before adult pressures set in." He adds that alcohol often becomes a socially accepted shortcut to feeling relaxed and bonded before the next day's family gatherings.
However, Alpert cautions that excessive drinking can have negative consequences. "A small amount of awareness can prevent a festive tradition from turning into an emotional hangover the next day," he advises.
To avoid such outcomes, experts recommend setting limits, eating beforehand, and alternating drinks with water. They also suggest focusing on genuine connections rather than relying solely on alcohol to facilitate socializing.
Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist based in Beverly Hills, California, suggests that heightened political division can contribute to increased drinking among families on Thanksgiving Eve. However, she emphasizes that excessive drinking is never an effective solution for social anxiety and can only exacerbate problems.
As the "Drinksgiving" tradition continues to gain momentum, it's essential for those participating to be mindful of their consumption and prioritize responsible behavior during the holiday weekend.
A growing trend is seeing people let loose and enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving night out with friends at bars. Dubbed "Blackout Wednesday" or "Drinksgiving," the tradition has gained traction in recent years, especially among those seeking to reconnect with hometown friends ahead of the holiday weekend.
According to data from BeerBoard, on-premise alcohol sales surged 39.6% last year compared to Thanksgiving Eve 2023, with tequila experiencing a significant spike in demand. Other spirits and beverages saw notable increases as well, including packaged beers and ciders. Wine sales rose by 28.7%.
Experts say the trend is driven by people seeking to break loose from stress and reconnect with friends before the intense family gatherings of Thanksgiving Day.
Jonathan Alpert, a New York City-based psychotherapist, notes that "people come home, fall back into familiar roles, and reconnect with friends who knew them before adult pressures set in." He adds that alcohol often becomes a socially accepted shortcut to feeling relaxed and bonded before the next day's family gatherings.
However, Alpert cautions that excessive drinking can have negative consequences. "A small amount of awareness can prevent a festive tradition from turning into an emotional hangover the next day," he advises.
To avoid such outcomes, experts recommend setting limits, eating beforehand, and alternating drinks with water. They also suggest focusing on genuine connections rather than relying solely on alcohol to facilitate socializing.
Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist based in Beverly Hills, California, suggests that heightened political division can contribute to increased drinking among families on Thanksgiving Eve. However, she emphasizes that excessive drinking is never an effective solution for social anxiety and can only exacerbate problems.
As the "Drinksgiving" tradition continues to gain momentum, it's essential for those participating to be mindful of their consumption and prioritize responsible behavior during the holiday weekend.
I mean, I get it, people wanna let loose before Turkey Day, but 40% of the population over drinking? That's a lot of NIAH 
. According to BeerBoard, tequila went up by like 50%! What's behind this trend? 
Social media says it's all about reconnecting with friends and stress relief, but I think we need to drink responsibly, you feel? 
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. and honestly it's kinda refreshing to see people letting loose after a stressful year of exams and assignments 
. but at the same time, i totally get what the experts say - too much drinking can be super bad for us, especially if we're already prone to social anxiety or stress. so yeah, let's just enjoy ourselves in moderation, pls! 
39.6% increase in booze sales is wild... people need to be careful, we cant just use booze as a crutch 2 reconnect w friends & family 
. It's not surprising that sales are through the roof, to be honest. I mean, who doesn't love a good excuse to grab drinks with friends and let their hair down? But at the same time, I'm a bit worried about the people who might get carried away and end up regretting it on Monday morning 
. It's all about balance, right? You can still have fun and enjoy each other's company without losing control of your drinking. Just be aware of how much you're having and pace yourself, ya know? Don't want anyone to be an emotional mess the next day 
I'm loving this 'Drinksgiving' trend! 
It's like a mid-week break from adulting before the chaos of Thanksgiving 
. We need to set limits, eat before drinking, and remember that genuine connections are way more important than getting tipsy with friends. It's all about balance, you know? 
I mean, people are clearly looking forward to a chill night out with friends before the family drama begins 
But seriously, let's look at some stats... 
)
If you're gonna let loose, at least do it responsibly 
And hey, if you can't handle the booze, don't worry – 1 in 5 people say they regret drinking on Thanksgiving Eve 
... like, who doesn't love a good excuse to forget their responsibilities for one night? 
so i think its pretty cool how ppl r findin ways 2 connect w/ friends before thanksgiving but at same time gotta be aware of how much we r drinkin 
. It makes sense that folks would want to break loose from adult pressures and reconnect with friends before the chaos of family gatherings next day. I think it's great that experts are sharing their wisdom on how to enjoy the night responsibly 
. What's interesting is how this tradition has become a way for people to cope with stress and reconnect with each other 
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also, cant agree more about focusing on genuine connections rather than relying on booze 
. And hey, if we can have a good time without relying on booze, even better! 
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But at the same time, I'm all about being aware of those hangover regrets on Monday morning 
