Holiday toasts
New Year's Eve toast
Look back at one good thing from the year, look ahead with one hope and invite everyone to lift whatever they're holding, in about one minute. Give it a few minutes before midnight so it doesn't crowd the countdown.
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 125 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
GROUP — What do you call the people in the room? Fictional example: this crew
[LOOK_BACK] — What is one good thing from this year that most people here shared? Fictional example: the summer we finally took that road trip
[LOOK_AHEAD] — What do you hope next year brings for the group? Fictional example: more weekends like this and fewer early alarms
Ask for a minute before midnight
Can I steal one minute before the countdown? I'll finish with plenty of time to spare. //
Look back once
Looking back, this year gave us [LOOK_BACK]. Not everything went to plan. There were a few rough weeks in there, and we helped each other through them. But we're ending the year together, and that counts for a lot. //
Look forward once
Looking ahead, I hope next year brings [LOOK_AHEAD]. And I hope it brings each of you the thing you're quietly hoping for, too. //
Raise the toast
So when the clock hits midnight, let's leave the hard parts behind and bring the good ones with us. Please lift whatever you're holding. To GROUP, and to a happy New Year.
Two optional openings
Before the countdown starts, I'd like to say a few words. Don't worry, I'm watching the clock.
One minute, everyone, and I promise we won't miss midnight.
Two optional closings
To the year behind us, the year ahead of us and the people right here. Happy New Year!
Here's to new starts, old friends and a year we'll be glad we lived. Happy New Year!
Prepare a version you can say
Start the toast a few minutes before midnight so it ends well before the countdown.
Look up at the room for the last line. The toast should end with everyone lifting a glass or cup, not with you reading from your phone.
Keep your notes to three words: back, ahead, toast.
Keep it easy to join
Keep the look-back line to something most people in the room shared. Leave out breakups, money trouble, health news and anything that singles out one person.
Make the toast easy to join, whatever people are drinking. 'Please lift whatever you're holding' includes everyone.
Questions before the day
What do you say in a New Year's Eve toast? Look back at one good thing from the year, look forward with one hope and invite everyone to lift a glass or cup.
When should I give a New Year's Eve toast? A few minutes before midnight, so it doesn't compete with the countdown.
How long should a New Year's Eve toast be? About one minute, like this script.
Keep exploring
- Thanksgiving toastA complete fill-in Thanksgiving toast planned for about one minute, with a thank-you to the host, one shared gratitude line and practical delivery help.
- Friendsgiving toastA complete fill-in Friendsgiving toast planned for about one minute, with a thank-you to the host, one shared memory and a toast to the friends at the table.
- Christmas dinner toastA complete fill-in Christmas dinner toast planned for about one minute, with a thank-you to the host, a gentle line for someone missing and a wish for the table.