How to Say an Informal Grace

Saying grace doesn't have to be a somber, God-fearing experience. Have fun. Be creative. Enjoy the meal.

Things You'll Need

• Book Of Quotations
• Joke Books
• Poetry Books

Instructions

1. Figure out how you want to say grace. Do you want to sit individually and bow your head, stand up behind your chairs and hold hands, or stay seated and hold hands? Consider that since you will be giving an informal grace, you may simply want to stay seated, not hold hands and not bow your head, as this is usually done in deference to a higher being.

2. Decide who will lead the family and any guests in saying grace. Traditionally the head of the family takes the lead, but it is often a nice touch to have a child say grace.

3. Consider how lengthy the grace should be. Are there a lot of children present? They may fidget during a very long grace.

4. Think about how informal you want to be. Coarse language should generally be avoided. Humor, though, can lighten the mood.

5. Think about the ideas and events you want to address in your grace. Have family members traveled a long way to be at the meal? Have obstacles been overcome in the past year? Have joyous occasions marked the year? Did you win the lottery, and that's why you can even afford to host a meal?

6. Consider quoting a favorite author or poet.

7. Once you've thought about what you want to say, practice to make it polished and succinct. Or simply revert back to your school days and throw off the classic: "Through the lips and over the gums, look out stomach, here it comes."