| 1. Always welcome the guests in your speech if it | | | | Square to park the car or his/her inability to get |
| is your own birthday. | | | | anywhere on time. |
| 2. Say how happy you are to be there, if you are | | | | 8. Be diplomatic in what you say. There are things |
| a guest at the birthday party. If you are a family | | | | people won’t want mentioned in a birthday |
| member say how great it is to see everyone | | | | speech. Mention of alcohol or drug habits are not a |
| gathered together for such a special occasion.. | | | | good idea. It is probably safer too to avoid |
| 3. Thank whoever is responsible for organising the | | | | mention of politics, as there will undoubtedly be |
| birthday party saying how much you are enjoying | | | | different loyalties amongst the guests. |
| the lovely food and the marvellous atmosphere. | | | | 9. Talk of his/her skills or talents. It’s nice to |
| 4. Talk about what a birthday means. Depending | | | | praise the celebrant for what he/she does with |
| on which one it is, you could find a poem or a | | | | those talents. So if you love dancing with him/her |
| quotation that sums up how you feel. If it is a | | | | say so. If you enjoy playing golf because he or |
| special one such as a 21st there is even more | | | | she is so entertaining say that too. If he/she does |
| reason to celebrate so start searching for that | | | | wonderful work for the underprivileged it’s |
| appropriate phrase that will stand out in the | | | | good to say nice things. |
| birthday speech. | | | | 10. Mention what the birthday boy or girl means in |
| 5. Speak of the celebrant’s attributes. Say he | | | | your life. If he is a husband or she is a friend say |
| she has always been a great friend, a marvellous | | | | how they have enriched your life in so many |
| listener or the soul of hospitality. Say what he or | | | | different ways. Then add how much the guests |
| she means to you as a family member, friend or | | | | think of him/her. |
| neighbour. | | | | 11. Your birthday speech should always end on a |
| 6. Add a bit of humor to the birthday speech. E.G. | | | | positive note. Be positive in your speech. Talk |
| If everyone knows the birthday boy or girl | | | | about the future and all the good things you wish |
| cannot sing in tune announce that as a special | | | | for the celebrant in the days ahead. Above all |
| treat you have organised a recording session for | | | | your birthday speech should leave him/her with |
| him/her. | | | | happy memories. |
| 7. Speak about his/her foibles like needing Times | | | | |