9 TIPS ON HOW TO TOAST

December 21, 2018

As seen in our first custom publication, Medawar Magazine.

True toastmasters make giving the perfect toast an art form. Whether at an awards banquet, a wedding, or and enjoyable evening out with friends, they always have just the right words and present them effortlessly. For the rest of us, here are nine tips to help you shine.

1. CONNECT THE DOTS Creating a sense of connectivity will go a long way when presenting a speech. People may not remember every word you speak, but they will remember the feeling of community and togetherness you create.

2. SHARE THE MOMENT You may be delivering the speech, but it is not about you, even when it is. Minimize the use of “I” statements in your speech. That includes “me” statements as well. If the event is in your honor, use this time to show your appreciation to your guests and those who have been by your side.

3. STORYTIME After you have drawn the group together, you don’t want to lose them to their own thoughts, this speech is still yours to give after all. Take a moment in the spotlight by sharing a story, or two if you have time to fill, about you and the guest(s) of honor. It is okay to say “I” or “me” at this point, but keep it to a minimum.

4. TOAST, DON’T ROAST As you make your toast, it is important to consider your audience. Your audience and the type of event will determine how far you should go as you toast. Mild embarrassment of yourself or the persons you are toasting is acceptable, but keep it family friendly.

5. AU NATURALE Keep your toast fluid and sincere by leaving the script at home. If you tend to wander with your thoughts, or you are nervous about forgetting a point, narrow it down to bullet points that will keep you on track. When you read a speech, your voice lacks tone and you lose your audience.

6. PRACTICE SHOWS Practicing helps you find your rhythm and boosts confidence. Think of your toast as a performance. Great plays do not come together the day before opening. Take time to run through your speech, with or without an audience, before delivering it at the event.

7. ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE In addition to practicing for tone and authenticity, make sure to practice your body language. Approximately 55 percent of what we say is delivered through our body language. Practicing in front of a mirror will help you open up your body language, making you appear confident and amiable.

8. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE Make sure you understand how much time you will have to make your toast, and fill it. Going over is inconsiderate of those who also have toasts to make, but being severely under is just as bad. Whether you choose to work on pacing or have an additional story to share, be mindful of the clock.

9. SWEET ENDINGS The moment is here. You have brought everyone together into the same mental space. You have shared your stories, happy and sweet. Now is the culmination of all your hard work. Take a moment to thank the hosts and well-wish the guests of honor on behalf of everyone (remember your “we” statements), and tie it all up with the perfect clink.

Written by Heather Douglas for Medawar Magazine. Medawars.com

Custom Tent Kits Built for Your Brand

September 4, 2026
When your business shows up at a trade show, community event, festival, expo or open house, your brand should show up, too. A custom tent kit gives you a coordinated setup that’s ready to go right along with you. Custom tent kits bring together a branded event tent with coordinating pieces like walls, table covers, feather flags and retractable banners. Different tent kit options include different items, so you can choose the one that makes the most sense for the events your business attends.

More Than a Logo: Creating Connection with Hurley Medical Center

September 3, 2026
The best promotional products do more than put your logo in front of people. They help create connection. We’ve had the opportunity to work with Hurley Medical Center on a variety of projects, including two recent collaborations with very different goals. For Staff Appreciation Week, the focus was on recognizing the people who keep Hurley moving every day. For the Cars 108 Let’s Make Miracles Radiothon benefiting Hurley Children’s Hospital , it was about bringing people together in support of local children and families.  Different projects, but both show how thoughtful branded products can help people feel appreciated and part of something bigger.

Building the Waun Law Brand From the Ground Up

September 2, 2026
There’s something exciting about helping bring a brand to life from the very beginning. When personal injury attorney Tom Waun decided to start his own firm, he came to Behind Your Design to create a brand that would make a strong first impression and help build recognition from day one. With more than four decades of experience helping people after serious injuries, Tom had already built a strong reputation through the work he does. Our job was to create a brand identity for Waun Law that reflected that experience while giving his new firm a distinct and memorable look of its own.

Bring Your Brand to the Tailgate

August 13, 2026
There’s something about a fall tailgate that just feels good. Crisp air, something on the grill, a little friendly competition and, if we’re lucky, a win at the end of the day. It’s also a great place for your brand to show up. The right custom tailgate item can become part of someone’s game-day routine. It’s the cooler they always grab, the blanket that lives in the car all fall or the game that comes out at every tailgate. In other words, you want someone saying, “I’m really glad I have this.”  Here are six ideas we’d put on the starting lineup:

How Thoughtful Details Made Connor & Gabrielle's Celebration Unforgettable

August 7, 2026
When people think back on a wedding, they usually remember the big moments, the ceremony, the first dance, and the reception. But it's often the thoughtful details that make a big day feel even more special for both the couple and the people celebrating with them. This July, we had the chance to be part of another Macksood family wedding as Connor and Gabrielle tied the knot. After helping with Hannah and Reed's wedding, it was so much fun to work with the family again and create another collection of custom pieces for such a memorable day. From custom signage to personalized drinkware, every item added a little something to the celebration. A Wedding Full of Personal Touches Connor and Gabrielle wanted every part of their wedding to reflect their personalities, their style, and the story they wanted to tell. That's exactly what custom products can do. For their big day, we created custom pens, cups, napkins, a felt letter board sign, photo coasters featuring the couple, and an acrylic sign. We also created custom shirts and socks that added another fun, personalized element to the wedding festivities.

From Vision to Launch: Building the Fenton Pilates Studio Brand

August 7, 2026
We’ve had the great opportunity to work with Fenton Pilates Studio as they prepare to open their doors in downtown Fenton. Getting to be part of a new business from the beginning has allowed us to help bring their vision to life across every part of their brand. From the logo and website to signage, marketing materials, promotional products, and apparel, we’ve worked together to create a brand that feels clean, welcoming, and true to the experience Fenton Pilates Studio is creating for its clients. Starting with the Brand Identity The project began with a custom logo inspired by the studio’s beautiful front window overlooking Leroy Street. It’s a subtle detail that connects the brand to its downtown Fenton location while creating a clean, modern look that can grow with the business. From there, we designed and developed a custom website where future clients can learn about the studio, classes, instructors, and what to expect when they walk through the doors.
Show More