-
Step 1
Tailor your speech to the event. At a formal affair, focus on the professional achievements of the celebrant. At a family gathering, tell stories of childhood antics but avoid embarrassing or off-color stories.
-
Step 2
Keep your birthday speech short and light-hearted. Pay your respects within three minutes to hold the crowd's attention. Leave in-depth or deeply sentimental expressions to private communications with the celebrant.
-
Step 3
Incorporate "color commentary" into your birthday speech. Show that you know the celebrant well and are proud of your shared history. Treat listeners to interesting details about the guest of honor. Reflect about the celebrant's significant personal and professional accomplishments.
-
Step 4
Issue sincere congratulations to the celebrant. Express satisfaction for specific achievements, such as graduating from college. Offer encouragement for continued success and longevity. Find ways to enhance your delivery. Examples include dedicating a short poem, or using snippets of relevant songs as background music for your speech.
-
Step 5
Familiarize yourself with the birthday speech prior to the big day. Commit the speech to memory, or place key points on index cards for quick reference. Consider asking for second opinions from close friends of the guest of honor to ensure your speech will make a worthy impression.
