A birthday speech is a short tribute speech given by a close friend, family member, or colleague to celebrate someone’s birthday. The speech typically includes a brief introduction of the birthday person, followed by fond memories or stories about them. It usually ends with a toast to the birthday person and their happiness.
Marking someone’s special day with a birthday speech or toast is a lovely way to commemorate the event. It does not have to be a milestone birthday to honor the person celebrating the anniversary of their birth with a tribute speech.
What Is The Purpose Of A Birthday Speech?
Why give a birthday speech?
- Welcome: The person hosting the party might say a few words, which equates to giving a welcome speech to all the wonderful people who have gathered to celebrate the guest of honor.
- Add to the celebration. When people are together for a birthday celebration, someone publically conveys their good wishes and urges others to join in wishing the same.
- Express Love: The most obvious reason to give a speech on your best friend or family member’s big day is to express your love and adoration.
- Roasting: People may want to playfully roast the birthday boy or girl on milestone birthdays by telling embarrassing stories. Just remember not to get inappropriate.
Who Usually Gives A Birthday Speech
Virtually anyone can give a birthday speech: parent, spouse, sibling, child, friend, etc. However, someone in particular might be asked to give the speech, or the host might take the honor upon themself. Such a speech is often planned, or it may be impromptu.
Sometimes, a guest or two might feel moved to give a spontaneous birthday speech at the party. If you have a great friend and you are with them celebrating their birthday, let your heart lead you to the right words to say about the guest of honor.
The birthday person might even give a speech themselves.
What Do You Say In A Birthday Speech?
When you are celebrating someone’s birthday, what should you say? Of course, “happy birthday” tops the list. Whether you are speaking about a friend, family member, or other loved one, make it clear that everyone is here today for that particular person.
There is no rule that whoever gives the speech must know the person well. However, they should have a sense of what is appropriate for the audience. Refrain from telling stories that cast the guest of honor in a negative light, as a birthday party is not the time or place for that.
Especially for older people, it is appropriate to wish them good health for the upcoming year (particularly as they enter a new decade!). Sometimes people include birthday quotes or sayings about gratitude or reflection on life.
As birthday speeches should be upbeat, deaths or challenges of the past years should not be the focus. If the birthday celebrant’s mother died recently, it might be appropriate to say, “This is the first birthday since Mom died. if she were here, she’d be the first one at the microphone to wish you a happy birthday.” Again, knowing how the birthday celebrant feels about these subjects should guide the speechmaker.
Looking for a template to follow? Here is a brief outline:
- Introduce yourself. If you plan to speak, you want everyone to know who you are and your relationship to the birthday boy or girl (or man and woman.)
- Tell a couple of brief stories about the guest of honor.
- Bring your thoughts together with a culminating quote or idea if you want to.
- Make a toast wishing the individual well.
Do You Focus On Age In A Birthday Speech?
Some birthdays are considered milestone birthdays, though other birthdays are no less memorable and worry of celebration. Unless it is a big birthday and everyone assembled knows it, you should keep the guest of honor’s age private.
Here are some milestone birthdays that are often marked by special celebrations::
Golden Birthday
The golden birthday is when you turn the same number of years as the day you were born. If you were born on the 26th of the month, your golden birthday would be when you turn 26. Some celebrate multiples of the number, as on the 52nd birthday, or reverse the number and celebrate on the 62nd birthday,
Many see a golden birthday as a significant event celebrated with gold crowns and other decorations.
15th Birthday
Although most people recognize the 16th as the most important teenage birthday, in some cultures, the 15th is even more of a milestone. That is a traditional coming-of-age celebration for Latinas called the Quinceanera. It is an exquisite party filled with family, friends, food, music, and dancing.
On this particular occasion, it is tradition for either the father or minister to give a speech. If the father gives the speech, it will likely have many stories about his little girl growing up so quickly. The guest of honor is also expected to speak and thank everyone for participating in the event.
16th Birthday
Remember back to turning 16? Such an important age between learning to drive and accepting more adult responsibilities; this is a big one. Often called the “sweet sixteen” for a teenage girl, a great birthday speech to celebrate this might be given to the guest of honor’s mother, godmother, or a close friend.
18th Birthday
Sharing best wishes for someone turning 18 is easy enough as they have entered the world of adulthood. A birthday message might talk about how it is time to stop leeching off the parents and pave your path in life. (Make sure such comments are clearly made in jest. A birthday speech is not meant to be a life lesson, tough love, or an eviction notice!)
21st Birthday
This birthday is significant in some countries, such as the United States, as it marks the legal drinking age. When young people get together for this celebration, it often includes raucous laughter and wild partying. When a bunch of other 20-somethings gets together for this celebration, the toasts or speeches might be more risqué than other birthdays.
30th Birthday
Some people struggle with turning 30 since the 20s are considered the age of adult youth. However, you might hear the words “old” come up at a 30th celebration. If you’re past 50, you know 30 is so young!
40th Birthday
Also called the ruby birthday, the 40th is a popular birthday to celebrate. Turning 40 marks the midpoint of life, which may be why cards and decor stress either “Life begins at 40″: ” or “over the hill.” If the birthday person is sensitive about their age, stress the first sentiment, not the second!
50th Birthday
The 50th birthday speech is one of the most common since it is such a big one. If you are honored with wishing someone a happy 50th birthday in the form of a speech, you can tell some funny stories and insert some warmth and sentimental tidbits into what you have to say.
60th Birthday
60 is another significant number that usually comes with a birthday bash. Turning 60 can also leave someone feeling old, so even if you feel tempted to throw an old fart party, remember to be sensitive to the fact that these big birthdays can be challenging for some people.
100th Birthday
Those people who live to be 100 should expect a birthday celebration. This incredible event must be marked by many short birthday speeches or well wishes. Since someone turning 100 is likely to have outlived many of their friends and family members and also might be short on stamina. Having multiple loved ones speak for a very short period might be more appropriate. You could make a video beforehand so the guest of honor can see them repeatedly.
What Are Some Tips For Giving A Birthday Speech?
- Energy: A birthday speech should display positive energy and convey well wishes.
- Forget the Number: Unless it is a milestone birthday and everyone knows that number, announcing how old the guest of honor is is not tactful.
- Keep it Brief: Birthday speeches should be a manageable length.
- No Embarrassing Stories: Don’t say anything rude or overly embarrassing about the guest of honor.
- Upbeat: Leave the sad stories for another time. When it comes to birthdays, the best speeches are happy and cheerful.