Don’t Give a Speech. Propose a Toast.
Saturday, December 20th, 2008
A client asked me to write a speech for him to give at his company’s holiday party.
It was going to be a festive celebration. Lots of insiders and their guests. Lots of drink, food, music, and dancing. He thought it was a perfect occasion — when else would there be so many people in the same place at the same time? — for him to talk about the company’s past year and its prospects.
I told him not to do it.
Speeches — serious speeches, at least – and parties don’t mix. People go to parties to have fun and to socialize. Asking them to simmer down, stop talking, and pay attention is just not right.
I told my client to propose a toast instead. Save the more serious and thoughtful remarks for some other occasion.
I suggest you do the same thing. Proposing a toast allows you to “say a few words” while maintaining — maybe even enhancing — the spirit of the party.
Check out my earlier posting about how to propose a toast here.
There’s a number of examples of Christmas toasts here. And if you’d like some recipes for hot drinks (alcoholic and non-) for cold wintery nights, check out this site.
