The holidays are a time to celebrate, but they also bring a significant increase in drunk driving and fatal drunk driving crashes. In December 2015, drunk driving crashes resulted in 840 deaths in the U.S. If you plan to host a great party, you know that it will only be a great time if every guest gets home safely.

The holidays are known for being merry and bright, but it’s also a deadly season when it comes to drunk driving. Every holiday season, lives are lost due to drunk drivers.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) offers these tips to help throw an entertaining and safe party:

• As guests RSVP, confirm that they have a plan for a safe way home via a non-drinking designated driver.
• Plan activities like party games or door prize drawings that do not involve alcohol, but engage people, resulting in lower consumption of alcohol.
• Do not push drinks. Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time.
• Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach.
• Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages or “mocktails” for non-drinking designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.
• Never serve alcohol to someone under 21 and never ask anyone under 21 to serve alcohol at parties.
• If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, never let them drive home impaired.

Have fun – but stay within your limits to make sure your guests stay within theirs.

Here are some non-alcoholic recipes for your party:

Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Ingredients

• 4 cups passion fruit juice
• 8 cups sparkling water or ginger ale
• 1 fresh kiwi, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 star fruit, sliced
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries

Directions: Fill a large pitcher with ice. Add the juice and sparkling water or ginger ale. Toss in the fruit slices. Store in the fridge until ready to serve, or serve immediately. Enjoy!

Raspberry Frost Sodas

Ingredients

• 1 bottle (64 ounces) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
• 2 containers (1/2 gallon each) raspberry sherbet
• 3 bottles (1 liter each) ginger ale, chilled

Directions: Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice in each of 24 short, wide glasses. Place 1 scoop (about 1/2 cup) sherbet in each glass. Fill with ginger ale.

Quick Cranberry Punch

Ingredients

• 1 can (6 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1 bottle (32 ounces) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
• 2 cans (12 ounces each) ginger ale, chilled

Directions: Make lemonade as directed on can in large pitcher. Stir in cranberry juice cocktail and enough ice to chill. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. This friendly message is thanks to Drug Free Osage County.