The Toastess with the Mostest
A well-delivered toast can be the most memorable part of a party. The thing is… so can a poorly-delivered one. With the holiday season upon us and our social calendar filling up, we consulted Emily Post’s online Etipedia for a refresher on what makes or breaks a good toast. Rather than focusing on the nitty-gritty and often conflicting rules (whether it’s okay to clink and empty glass, whether your glass should be lower than the host’s), which we’d be hard-pressed to remember after a drink or two, we decided to bring you the main takeaways, which we think’ll do ya just fine this holiday season.
Timing: The toast should happen right after champagne or wine is served, usually at the beginning of the meal or before dessert. It’s polite to give the host a chance to propose a toast before launching into your own. If the host doesn’t budge, you can assume it’s go-time, but be sure all glasses are full before starting to speak.
Don’t Wing It:
You’re adorable, you’re funny, you’re basically perfect. But nervousness can lead to rambling and uncomfortable pauses. You’ll feel more confident and put your audience at ease if you’re certain of what you’re saying, where you’re going, and, um, what the point is. Practice. If you must, jot down a few points on a notecard in case you lose your train of thought (not a huge piece of white paper!).
Also: Keep it short. Like 3 minutes. Tops.
Be Nice: The pressure to be funny can sometimes make us mean (remember high school?) In terms of embarrassing stories, Emily Post says, “A touch of humor is acceptable, but keep it clean; stories that might embarrass the honoree are off-limits.” That means leave out the time you and the honoree drunkenly went into the wrong house, slept there, and had the police called on you. That kind of toast doesn’t feel much like an honor at all.
Don’t Chug It: Whether you’re giving a toast or listening to one, you’re not allowed to glug your champagne when the toast is finished. In the words of Ms. Post, “A sip will do just fine.” You’ll get to have another sip, don’t worry.