Christmas dinner toast

Make this speech your own

Copy the script into your own document, then replace every bracketed marker with a true detail. The examples below are fictional prompts, not facts about anyone. Change or remove any sentence that does not fit your situation.

The // mark means pause; do not read it aloud. Use the default script, or swap in one of the openings or closings below. Do not add every alternative to the same speech.

With the fictional examples filled in, the default script is 118 words. At 125 words per minute, that is about one minute. Your own details and pauses will change the time, so read your finished version aloud and time it.

Details to gather

HOST — Who made the meal and the gathering possible? Fictional example: Mom, Dad and Riley

MISSING — Who isn't at the table this year? Use a name, or a phrase like 'everyone who couldn't be here'. Fictional example: Grandpa Lou

WISH — What would you like to wish everyone at the table for the year ahead? Fictional example: health, kind surprises and many more dinners like this one

Ask for a moment

Before we eat, I have a few words to say, and I'll keep them shorter than the line for the kitchen. //

Thank the host

Thank you to HOST for this meal and for bringing us all together. Nights like this don't happen by accident. //

Remember who is missing

Christmas is a time for counting who is here, and for remembering who isn't. Tonight I'm thinking of MISSING. I'm glad we carry MISSING with us at this table. //

Offer the wish and the toast

To everyone here, I wish you WISH. // If you have a glass or a cup, please lift it with me. To family, to the ones we miss and to this Christmas together. Merry Christmas.

Two optional openings

Can I have everyone's attention before we start? I have one minute of words and a lot of gratitude.

I'll be brief, because the food smells too good to wait. I just want to say something while we're all here.

Two optional closings

To this family, this table and everyone we hold in our hearts tonight. Merry Christmas.

Here's to the people at this table and the ones we carry with us. Merry Christmas.

Prepare a version you can say

Talk to the host before dinner. If the person you're remembering died recently, check that the family would welcome the mention.

Pause after the line about who is missing. Let the room have a moment before you move to the wish.

Keep your notes to four words: thanks, remember, wish, toast.

Remember gently

Keep the remembering line short and warm. Do not describe an illness, a death or a family disagreement.

If remembering anyone would be too much for the room this year, replace that beat with a line about everyone who traveled or couldn't make it.

Questions before the day

How do I mention a loved one who has died in a Christmas toast? Use one short, warm sentence with their name, then move to your wish for the people at the table.

How long should a Christmas dinner toast be? About one minute, like this script.

When should I give the toast? Just before the meal, or once everyone has a plate. Ask the host what they prefer.