Giving a toast is an art form. Whether it’s for a wedding, birthday, or any other celebration, giving a great toast is important. You want to make sure that your words are memorable and heartfelt.
In this post, we discuss the dos and don’ts of giving a great toast – and also give you some great ideas for your own toasts….
What makes a great toast
The art of giving a great toast is one that takes practice, but there are a few key ingredients to success.
- A great toast should be heartfelt. The audience wants to feel the emotion behind the words, whether it be joy or gratitude.
- A great toast is also genuine and personal – generic compliments or recycled jokes do not have the same impact.
- A great toast needs just the right delivery – not too long or too quiet, with confidence and enthusiasm.
All in all, if you have these elements in place, you’ll have what it takes to give a toast that truly stands out from the rest.
The do’s and don’ts of toasting
Sure, it may seem like a simple task- raise your glass, speak some nice words, drink up. But if you don’t follow some basic etiquette guidelines, you may find yourself with quite the unpleasant situation on your hands.
First off, make sure to toast with a full glass. It’s considered rude to toast with an empty one, and it also just looks lame.
Secondly, make sure to make eye contact with the person or people you’re toasting- otherwise it just comes off as insincere.
And lastly, try not to over toast- no one wants to spend their entire night listening to one drunk individual ramble on about how much they love their friends (we already know!).
How to make a toast memorable
To truly leave a lasting impression, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
First, make sure your toast is personalized. Mention the individual or group you’re toasting and why they deserve recognition.
Next, focus on eliciting emotion – whether that be humor or heartfelt gratitude.
And finally, don’t forget the grand finale – end with a striking quote or line that will stick with your audience long after the last sip of their drink.
Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have them choking back tears (or laughter) as they raise their glasses to you.
Toasting etiquette
Don’t ramble on for too long – cut to the chase and offer some well-chosen words of congratulations, appreciation, or encouragement. A dash of humor always helps too. And finally, don’t forget to actually raise your glass – cheers to making every occasion memorable!
When it comes to toasting etiquette, there’s one rule that trumps all others: don’t be a douchebag. Keep your toast brief and speak from the heart, rather than rattling off cringe-worthy clichés or trying to show off your vocabulary. And for the love of all that is holy, do not quote song lyrics or make archaic references – have some originality.
Finally, while it’s best to avoid embarrassing stories altogether, if you do share one make sure the person you’re talking about has a sense of humor and won’t be mortified in front of others. Bottom line: just be a decent human being when giving a toast and everyone will have an enjoyable time raising their glasses to the occasion.
Famous toasts from history
Throughout history, toasts have also been used as a means of making a bold statement or sparking camaraderie among friends. From battle cries to declarations of love, here are some famous toasts that have left their mark on history:
- “I drink to the general joy of the whole table,” proclaimed Alexander Hamilton during a dinner party at Thomas Jefferson’s house in 1802.
- Winston Churchill, who once proclaimed “To our wives and sweethearts – may they never meet!”
- President Franklin Roosevelt’s toast “I ask you to rise and drink a toast…to the future” remains timeless
- Frank Sinatra tops them all with his signature line “May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.”
While these famous toasts will always entertain, nothing beats creating your own personalized words of celebration. So, give it a shot!
Sample toasts for any occasion
When it’s time to raise a glass and make a toast, you want to come up with something original and memorable. But sometimes, those creative juices just aren’t flowing. Fear not! Here are some sample toasts to give you some inspiration for any occasion:
- “To good friends, old and new”
- “Here’s to living life to the fullest”
- “May we always have something to celebrate”
- “May we never have too much money nor too little whiskey”
- “May good luck pursue you every day and catch you from behind”
- “May the enemies of happiness never darken your door”
- “May our love continue to grow stronger with each passing year”
- “Here’s to good friends, fine wine, and all the joys life can bring.”
- Sláinte! (or as they say in French, Santé!)
The art of giving a toast is one that every man should master. Whether at a wedding, company celebration, or casual gathering with friends, a toast can elevate the mood and add to the enjoyment of the occasion. Cheers!
