How to Make a Toast

Many people are uncomfortable when expected to make a toast. If you are one of them you are not alone. Remember the focus of the toast is on the recipient; It is an experience you both will share. Toasts should be reserved for special occasions such as birthdays, wedding, and anniversary receptions, and confined to those present who are key figures in the festivities. The main reasons for giving a toast are:

1. To congratulate the person(s) for an accomplishment.
2. To offer good wishes to one or more people who about to embark on a venture or personal relationship.
3. To express appreciation for assistance or support by the person the person toasted.
4. To remember someone who may not be present.
5. To give assurance of one's blessing to a person who has made an important decision.
6. If possible prepare your toast before the occasion and practice in front of a mirror.
7. Stand up at what seems like the appropriate moment, before, during, or at the end of dinner. Raise your glass whether it has an alcoholic beverage, soda, or plain water, and announce firmly,” I propose a toast to..."
8. Refer to the person in formal ('Dr.Brown"), informal, ('Trudy"), or colloquial ("Sis") depending on the occasion and your relationship to the person toasted.
9. Keep your remarks brief and to the point. If you are good at telling jokes, feel free to use the occasion to make a pertinent point. However be sensitive in choosing your remark. This is not the time to bring up embarrassing anecdotes. Confirm you remarks to no more than two or three minutes out of consideration of others.
10. When you finish your remarks, raise your glass and wait until others do the same. Then take a sip. Everyone else will follow suit.
11. If two or more toasts are in order, either make them yourself while you have the attention of the group or say you are turning the floor over to someone else who has a few words to say. If appropriate, encourage a few words from the toastee.

I thought this was interesting. The term toast became popular in the 18th century when guests at dinners in England praised their hostess for being as tempting as a favorite gourmet dish of the day: spiced toast.