With my own relatives, everyone might have a glass or two of wine. Maybe a couple of mixed drinks if we’re at a restaurant. Rarely more than that.
My husband’s family, however, has the alcohol flowing freely at family gatherings. There’s always at least one cooler of beer, several bottles of wine, as well as various fixings for whatever mixed drinks people want to make. I think it has more to do with having so many people (large family) with varying tastes than anything else. Sometimes my husband and his cousins will get a little drunk, but only if the party goes on late into the night. My father in law is the only full-time alcoholic in the family. We used to all drink more, but now that there are so many little kids in the family, the moms and dads hold back. We’re all really good about having a designated driver. In fact, my husband and I will decide in advance whose turn it is to cut loose so the other is prepared to drive home.
I don’t think we need the alcohol to have a good time, but since we all get together so rarely, we use it as an excuse to have a bit more fun than usual!