Toasting

Giving a toast to honor an individual or group is a centuries-old tradition tracing back 5,000 years. The word “toast,” as applied to drink, has its roots in the 1600s when it was common to toss in a piece of bread or crouton into one’s beverage as flavoring... mmmm. If you are looking for a special toast or would like to create one for a special occasion, this information will be very helpful. Read the guidelines and then select the subject link for the upcoming occasion where the toast will be given. Remember, “A toast should seize the moment and offer a Hallmark for the occasion.”

Guidelines

• Toasts are a time for humor, praise and congratulations.
• Be reasonable in time, content, appropriateness and humor.
• When giving a toast, make it short and pertaining to the occasion and people involved.
• Raise your glass high; make it heartfelt!
• Give your toast while you are still sober.
• Don’t embarrass the person being toasted. Keep it clean.
• Ask yourself, “If this toast were given for me how would I feel?" If you would feel embarrassed, intimidated or wishing those gathered weren’t hearing the toast, then don’t use it.
• Know the toast by heart and well enough to speak it perfectly.
• Don’t tell inside stories or jokes the audience doesn’t get.
• Focus on the person being toasted. This will help you to be less nervous because the attention will be placed on the recipient. The toast is for the toastee, not the toaster!
• Fit the toast to the event.
• A toast is a tribute, not a roast! Keep it brief, and don’t make it a speech.