This is the time of year when children perform and teachers give 2 speeches each night. Whether the show is a nativity play, a carol service or a concert the hall or auditorium will be packed with proud parents. Naturally in the first very small speech the teacher will welcome the guests and tell them what a treat they have in store. In the second speech at the end of the night they pay tribute to those who have helped the children stage their performance. They will speak of hard work and team effort. However tempted they may be they will not pick out any performance as being noteworthy because every student will have played to the best of his or her ability. Instead they will concentrate on the fun and maybe the mishaps that are part of every production. They will praise too the efforts of the back stage staff who have painted backdrops, prompted players and generally made themselves useful. The reputation of the school is on the line on such occasions and the teachers usually give a sigh of relief when the curtains fall after a successful show. Whatever they say in their speech though has nothing on what the students say and do. After all the one who often steals the show is Santa and his immortal line is just “Ho, ho. Ho!”

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Wedding speeches can sometimes make or break the day. A good speech will be the cause of animated conversation and loving words will be remembered over the years. A bad speech will cause negative vibrations and even hurt feelings. Quite simply a bad speech can ruin the day. This is true of any wedding. A Christmas wedding, however, calls for even more thought. The speechwriter must bring the spirit of Christmas into his speech. It should reflect the warmth and joy of the season. A couple who choose a Christmas wedding do so for a special reason. A good speaker will discover what that reason happens to be and mention it in his speech. Often it is because it is the couple’s favourite time of the year. The speaker might then compare marriage with the season of loving and giving. That is not to say that a Christmas wedding speech should not be traditional. After all the best man should always mention, usually humorously, his connection with the groom. The father of the bride will end his speech with a toast to the happy couple. Perhaps, though, the speechwriter will include a reference to Santa or the Christmas tree or, appropriately of course, the mistletoe. It is always an added plus to have a topical mention in a speech. So if you are speaking at a Christmas wedding remember that the couple should have that wonderfully feeling children have when the see their bulging stockings on Christmas morning. Your speech should reflect that feeling of anticipation, that belief that dreams will come true.

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Christmas speeches should be different. After all they should reflect a time of the year when we are all a little different. It is a time when we are more considerate of others. It is a time when we think of the poor and the deprived. It is a time when we sing carols for the poor, wrap parcels for poor children and feed the homeless. Christmas is a time to remember the past and celebrate the present. Whether we are speaking as a guest at an office party or as the chairperson of a club or association our speech should mention the meaning of the season. It should talk about the human need to get together with old friends or to meet colleagues in a social setting. Christmas speeches can afford to be nostalgic because we are all a little nostalgic at this time of year. They should also be appreciative because at the end of a busy year people like to know their work or effort has been appreciated. They should speak about winding down the old year and looking forward to the new. Speechwriters should, of course, remember that it is a time for happiness and joy and their speeches should reflect this. Everywhere you look at this time of the year there are trees glittering and decorations sparkling and your speech should sparkle too.

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Winter is about snow, smog and speeches. After all it’s the time of the year when people gather and toasts are made at seasonal functions. Take for instance, toasts to the ladies. They’ve got to be gracious, slightly tongue in cheek and suitable for any mixed company. At this time of the year too many retirement associations have their annual dinner. It behoves the managing director or C.E.O. to welcome the guests warmly, mention their contribution to the company, speak about the success of that company because of their input and, perhaps, end with a toast to that company. Kindergarten teachers often welcome parents to the nativity play where their little devils play the parts of angels, shepherds and wise men. Older pupils often put on a play or show at this time of the year and the head teacher will speak about involvement, effort and hard work. Sports clubs and other associations often have a Christmas party and again the speaker is obliged to speak of the contribution of members over the year. He or she will also mention the successes of the year and plans for the coming year. Usually such speeches will end with a toast to the Christmas season. Whatever the reason for the speeches they should be light-hearted and warm in tone and appreciative where it is appropriate. Winter may be a time for sniffs and sneezes but a good speech will bring good cheer.

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Writing a speech is like putting up a Christmas tree. It has to be the right size and shape for the occasion. We have all bought trees that have to be cut down to size because the have been too tall for the ceiling. Sometimes too trees are too small to make an impression in the room. So basically our speech too has to be the right length, not too long and interesting enough to catch the attention of the audience in the room. Obviously it shouldn’t be too short either because it has to be long enough to get your message across. Shape is also important and, of course, the shape of our speech has to be just right. That means it has to be controlled, with no unruly branches sticking out that really have no relevance to the speech. So those unnecessary sentences will just have to be pruned. When it comes to decorating the tree we all have our preferences. We may prefer a silver theme or red ribbons on every branch. The same applies to our speeches. Some of us will use word pictures, yet more of us will tell anecdotes. Whatever we say though has to add colour to the speech. The lights on the tree add a very special finishing touch. Our speeches too have to be illuminating. There is no point in talking a lot and saying nothing worthwhile. A lovely tree adds to the ambiance of the season. A good speech also adds to the occasion and, if memorable, unlike a tree, will not fade away and die.

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Happy holiday speeches have to cover a multitude of events. Some are given at the Christmas office party either by the boss or a guest at the function. Other holiday speeches are given where Christmas as such is not celebrated but before the staff enjoy a holiday break. There are also club or association Christmas speeches where someone on the committee wishes the members the compliments of the season. Whatever the occasion the speeches will all have something in common. They will speak of the contribution of those present. There will be words of thanks and appreciation. There will also be a look to the future and the challenges it presents. As befits the holiday season the speeches should be light-hearted in tone and speak of the enjoyment to be had with visiting and gift giving. Christmas is a time for nostalgia and so in Christmas speeches it is good to mention old friends and family gatherings. Obviously the holiday season is one too where families celebrate occasions such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and there family re-union speeches cover what needs to be said. The holiday period includes the New Year and New Year speeches will speak of times past and that the best that is yet to come. In a diverse world with diverse cultures the term happy holiday means a lot to a lot of people.

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Companies don’t succeed in business- people do. At the end of the year then it is appropriate that bosses or C.E.O.’s acknowledge this fact. That is why so many of them speak at a Christmas or Happy Holiday function or at the company’s annual dinner. These speeches are very important. These events, you see, give them the opportunity to acknowledge the worth of their workforce. It gives them the chance to praise the work they have done during the year. In such a speech they can speak of the successes of the company despite difficult trading conditions. It also gives them a slot to say how grateful they are to the workforce for their loyalty, expertise and enthusiasm. It gives them the chance to talk to people in all departments, some of whom may be unknown to them. These speeches are a once off opportunity in a busy working life to actually connect with the whole workforce. People need to be appreciated. They enjoy being praised. They like to feel they have done a good job. Such speeches say all these things and if it is a good speech those present will feel a sense of contentment. They will feel valued. Most importantly such speeches are ideal vehicles for stating how they hope the company will tackle the challenges of the coming year. If the speeches are good enough you should be able to report even more successes at this time next year.

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Should you have a staff party this Christmas? In this time of deep recession can you afford to have one and is it appropriate to do so? These are questions many employers are grappling with just now. The answer is surely that this time more than any other you need to have a party, you need to express a vote of confidence in your business and in the future. That is not to say that it should be an extravagant party. Maybe you should forgo the fancy hotel for the office canteen or, if the numbers are small enough, even the home of the boss. You might consider having a less expensive office lunch instead of a formal dinner with guests. Maybe you might consider having a “Bring a bun” sort of party where every staff member brings a contribution of food and drink. It’s not what you eat that matters you see it’s the spirit of the occasion. That office party is a time to gather and have fun with your colleagues as friends rather than as workmates. It’s a time to reflect on work well done and to look forward to better times ahead. That’s why what the C.E.O. or manager says is so important. Whatever about the format of the party, the speech should express gratitude, encourage participation and be very motivational about the future. Hopefully, next year you’ll be able to afford the Ritz!

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This is the time of the year when people struggle with speeches. That’s because November and December are months when there are lots of social occasions. A boss or C.E.O. preparing for the end of year function might be trying to find the right words to express his thanks to his staff for their hard work during a difficult year. The Chair or President of a club or association might want to say the right things at the Christmas party of that club or association. Often too a man struggles with what to say in a toast to the ladies or a lady has difficulty in finding the right things to say in her reply to such a toast. Such seasonal speeches should, of course, reflect the Christmas or Holiday period. They should emphasise the fact that it is the time of year for good cheer. A touch of nostalgia is also perfectly proper and acceptable. The speeches should emphasise how essential those present are to either the club or the company. In the case of those annual dinners the toast to the ladies should be gracious, light-hearted and appreciative while the reply should be ladylike yet can also be humorous and slightly tongue-in-cheek. In fact whatever the social occasion appreciation of those present is the keynote. So whether you are giving a vote of thanks to a speaker or toasting the guests a good speech will make them feel welcome and very important indeed. If necessary add a warm seasonal toast and you’ll find you’ve got it just right for the occasion.

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Thanksgiving isn’t the only time we should give thanks. It is fitting of course that we should celebrate on Thanksgiving Day and express our gratitude both for our families and for our standard of living. Speechwriters and speakers though should also give thanks on many different occasions. On Veterans Day, for instance, their speeches should give thanks for those who have fought as members of our armed forces. A Boss or C.E.O. often uses the Christmas Staff party or Happy Holiday function as an occasion to express gratitude to the staff for their contribution during the year. At a formal dinner there is often a vote of thanks to the speaker and of course the groom usually expresses his appreciation for all his parents have done for him during his growing years. It is very nice too to hear an expression of recognition to a teacher by parents or students. The outgoing President of a charitable or professional organisation should include some words of thankful praise to those who have helped during his or her term of office. A good M.C. will also give thanks to both delegates and speakers at the end of a conference. Everyone likes to be appreciated and a few appreciative and sincere words in any speech or toast will give that feel good factor to the recipient. So whether you are speaking to volunteers or to your own football team saying thanks for the effort costs nothing and means a lot.

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