Birthday Toast Tips

Here are a few tips to ensure that your toast does not end up sounding like a roast!

1. When you start giving your toast, simply hold your glass in your hand. Once the toast is over, raise it up to signal that your toast is over and the other guests should drink to the guest of honor.

2. If you are receiving the birthday toast, you are actually not supposed to take a sip of your drink when the toast is done.

Doing so would mean that you are drinking to yourself, which is technically frowned upon by etiquette experts.

3. When someone gives a great personal toast at your birthday, you may reciprocate the toast by thanking them for their friendship and the great times you've shared.

4. If the birthday is a small, intimate dinner, there is no need to stand up to deliver the toast.

Standing to give the toast is necessary for large dinners and cocktail parties, however.

The goal is for the rest of the guests to be able to see you deliver your toast to the birthday guy or girl.

5. When toasting a man, it's okay to make slight jabs at his age. When toasting a woman, it's best to steer clear of age-related commentary altogether.