Whether you’re at a family dinner or a bar with friends, a toast is a great way to honor loved ones. New Year’s Eve is an especially good time to offer uplifting sentiments. Make sure you express yourself clearly to avoid any awkward moments. Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts on giving a toast at a New Year’s gathering. 

Do:

Keep it brief. 

Friends and family won’t mind if a toast is too brief. However, they may get impatient if you ramble on indefinitely. Keep your toast under one minute so that people can resume their conversations and continue to enjoy their evening. 

Speak from the heart. 

A toast that feels rehearsed can come across as insincere. Rather than memorizing a speech in advance, live in the moment. Showcase your unique personality with your words rather than relying on clichés. 

Don’t: 

Focus on yourself. 

Although you’re making the toast, the message should center around the people hearing it. Acknowledge any guests of honor and thank the hosts. Mention how happy you are to spend time with the people in attendance, and end the toast with positive wishes for everyone’s health and happiness. 

Wait too long to do it. 

Toasting earlier will prevent you from trying to collect your thoughts after you’ve had a few beers. Make your toast toward the beginning of the gathering once most guests have arrived. This allows you to get the task out of the way so you can enjoy mingling with friends and family. It also helps to set the tone of the evening.

When you want to celebrate special days with friends and family, stop by Starlite Lounge & Banquet Room. This retro cocktail bar offers microbrews and handcrafted martinis to patrons throughout Lincoln, NE. Call (402) 475-8822 to ask about daily bar specials, and visit the website to learn more about their “Throwback Thursday” drink deals.