How Do I Toast My Friend?

• Start by announcing who or what you’re toasting—the person, group, organization, or occasion—and the reason for the gathering.
• Give the audience context by letting them know why you’re making the toast: your relationship, connection, or a little about yourself.
• Share stories, anecdotes, or compliments about the subject of the toast.
• Wrap things up with a thank-you to the hosts, if appropriate, and a wish for the honoree.

To give a toast, start by standing up, introducing yourself, and explaining your relationship with the toastee. Then, share a brief story or 2 about you and the toastee and let them know how happy you are for them. Avoid any embarrassing or lewd comments, and try to keep your toast light-hearted and positive.

The beauty of centering your toast around stories is that you know how to tell your stories. In fact, the more fluid and off the cuff you can be, the better. Bullet out each area of your speech and then practice, practice, practice. Remember, this is your gift. This is your friend, family member, or loved one. They are worth it.

At a wedding the best man and maid of honor offer the first toasts followed by the bride and groom. The parents then have a chance followed by any of the guests. At a casual dinner party it is best to wait until the dinner or first course plates are collected before you offer a toast. Understand any time constraints.

(Also, giving a toast is a requirement for the Orator Badge in The Strenuous Life !) “A toast is a basic form of human expression that can be used to convey virtually any emotion, from love to rage (although raging toasts tend to cross the line into the realm of curses).