what to say on a 21st birthday speech

21st Birthday Speech

Amy has a B.A. in Communications and has worked in a wide variety of industries.

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Toast your friend or family member on his birthday with a great speech that celebrates what turning 21 is all about. Whether your friend is planning to have a few drinks or just wants to celebrate this milestone occasion, tailor your speech to suit your friend's birthday style. Each speech is editable and can be downloaded using Adobe Reader .

Make Your 21st Memorable Speech

A 21st birthday is often one that stands out in people's minds for years, simply because of the milestone year. For a fun-loving birthday gal or guy who is excited to have a first alcoholic drink, this is definitely one s/he will remember for years. Bring up some past birthday moments and allude to making more in your speech.

• 105+ Heavenly Birthday Quotes for Family or Friends

Exciting Adulthood Ahead Speech

Not every 21-year-old is going to have a birthday bash that involves a wild party. Instead, they may simply want a low-key adult birthday party. A speech for this celebrating 20-something and friends can focus on their full entrance to adulthood, past accomplishments, and future endeavors. It should be optimistic and celebratory.

Tips for Customizing Your Speech

Tailor the speech to suit your friend's personality and the specific party theme. For example:

• At a party with a theme, such as tropical oasis or retro 90s, tie the speech into the theme. Work in related phrases and even rhymes!
• For a truly unique birthday speech, consider writing a list of 21 "things" about your friend or family member. This could be related to anything; for example, you could talk about 21 funny moments in their life or 21 things you love about him or her.
• Don't make too many jokes about drinking unless you know it's okay with the birthday person. This can be something he or she is worried or nervous about, and you don't want to add stress to the event.
• Keep things clean; don't include raunchy or risque jokes, even among friends at a party where people are imbibing. You don't want to give a speech in poor taste, especially if someone is recording the event.
• End the speech by raising your glass in a toast. If the birthday person isn't a drinker, end by wishing him or her Happy Birthday and invite others to join you.

Toasting the 21st Birthday

A great birthday speech for a 21st birthday is one that honors the birthday person and suits his or her personality. Add a few light-hearted jokes, and you're sure to give a speech that makes them feel great about this milestone celebration.

How to nail your 21st birthday party speech

21st birthday parties  are a big deal, not to mention the all-important speech. It’s a tricky one: how do you find that perfect balance of sassy sarcasm and a serious expression of gratitude for the people around you? At  VenueNow , we’ve all been through it! And our crack team of venue experts plenty of tips to ensure you nail your have 21st birthday party speech.

It’s the milestone birthday that you’ve been waiting 20 long years to celebrate, and EVERYONE is going to be there to celebrate your significant milestone. Your best mates, oldest friends, new beau and extended family are expecting you to be on-game for the big occasion.

You definitely don’t want to slip up when it gets to crunch time, so how do you avoid a flop during your birthday speech? There are a few things you can do to make sure you rise to the occasion and deliver a tasteful speech that will be remembered. A few words of thanks are the least you can do; so let’s figure out how to make that moment a memorable one, and start with these tips.

Be prepared

The party is in full swing, you’re lost for the right words, but everyone is egging you on. This scene is very common, but it’s not where you want to be on the big day. Prepare your 21st birthday speech well ahead of time and practice it at least a few times before presenting it to the party. The most effective way to get your entire speech into your head is to practice!

If you’re forgetful, a little vague, or know you’re not a great speaker, it’s definitely worth having notes to prompt you during the speech. Some people prefer to write their speech out word-for-word to maximise efficiency and minimise the chance of forgetting key details, but your speech will actually flow better, and be heaps more engaging if you’re not looking down at a page for the entire time.

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Thank the key players

Your 21st birthday party speech isn’t a chore, but an opportunity to acknowledge the things and people that have made you the adult that you’ve become. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to thank the key players in the narrative that is your life. Your birthday speech is a great way to express gratitude to your family and friends for their endless support. To ensure you don’t forget to acknowledge mum and dad, a family member, your oldest pals, your best friend, or your lover, position the thank-yous at the start of your speech. It will be a great joy to watch their faces light up when you thank them.

Funny comes naturally to some of us, but if you’re not blessed with the humour gene, it’s easy to get some laughs with an anecdote from your past. Think of the time you laughed the hardest, the dumbest thing you did on that Contiki tour across Europe, or the holiday that went horribly wrong, then build a story around it to include in your speech. The trick here is to tell a genuinely hilarious story but avoid offending anyone in attendance. Your own speech should be cheeky but don’t cross a line when talking about people in your life.

The first time you got wasted and threw up on mum’s favourite gnome may be funny for some, but if your elderly grandparents are around, you’ll completely spoil their image of you as the angelic, innocent grandchild. Instead, have a dig at yourself, and try including an anecdote about that time you failed to read 24-hour time and ended up stranded at a bus stop in sleepy Somerset at 2 am on the last day of your holiday.

Know your audience and craft a speech with tasteful humour that will get the laughs, not the room-silencing, disapproving glares on your very day.

Choose your topic

Say something meaningful, interesting and relevant to your audience. Choose a topic that you know your guests can relate to, like the importance of friendship, lessons you’ve learnt over the past year or how much you’ve matured as a person since turning 21. Alternatively, if you want to keep it light-hearted and fun, tell a few stories about your most cherished memories from childhood, or how you’ve been affected by the people in your life. Keep it short and sweet, but make sure that every sentence packs a punch and resonates with your audience.

Say your birthday wish

Be sure to include your birthday wish in your speech as well. Make a thoughtful and heartfelt request or hope for the year ahead, be it world peace, an end to poverty or an abundance of career opportunities. And if you’re feeling brave, make it unique and personal like a romantic gesture or a plea for never-ending friendship!

While your guests are definitely expecting a speech on your special day, they’re not here to listen to you mumble about the great life that you live or tell dumb long-winded stories about the people that you love. They’re here to party, and party they will, as long as you don’t kill the vibe with an uncomfortable speech.

After a few drinks, and a bit of dancing, the attention span of your mates is likely to dwindle, so it’s important to keep things brief. Stick to a couple of minutes, and prepare a dancey playlist to lift the atmosphere and get the dance floor going post-speech.

The best speeches are those that are obviously prepared but allow room for a little flexibility. Who knows what’ll happen on the day. Your best mate or mum might interrupt with their own anecdote just as you’re getting to the best bit.

If your nearest and dearest are a talkative bunch, let them know your plan before the big day so that you (and your guests) are not bombarded with five boring, overly sappy speeches. This situation is a guaranteed mood killer and a sure-fire way to have your 21st birthday party remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Brace yourself, praise your party, cut the crap and add a bit of humour. You’ll be nailing that 21st birthday party speech in no time at all! Happy birthday!

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Free 21st Birthday Speeches - Celebrate in Style

Free 21st birthday speeches - celebrate this magical milestone in style.

Less can sometimes be more - especially at a 21st birthday party where speeches have the potential to overwhelm the occasion.

Free 21st Birthday Speeches

A meaningful 21st birthday speech to honor and celebrate a great day is a necessity. But, let's face it, everyone wants to party!

And why not - champagne, flowers, innovative 21st birthday gift ideas to surprise your friends and loved ones , excellent catering and creative decor design -  they all come together to create a night to remember.

So, keep it short and simple - then let the party begin!

Good evening Ladies, Gentlemen, family and friends -

What a truly special evening it is that we are celebrating this evening - an evening all the more special  because we are sharing this celebration with all of you.

A warm welcome to everyone and thank you so much for sharing [insert name]'s 21st birthday with us tonight. It just wouldn't have been the same without all of you - all the people who have played such an amazing role in [his / her] life.

Tonight is [insert name] night and we hope it will be a night that [he / she] remembers fondly in the years ahead.

Twenty one years have seen [insert name ] through many milestones. We've seen [his /her] baby years turning into toddling years. We've seen [insert name] learning to talk and walk - unsteadily at first but growing in confidence daily.

And those determined  footsteps have continued through elementary and secondary school,  through sporting teams and academic achievements. We seen obstacles overcome and accolades accomplished and we've witnessed such remarkable growth and development in every facet of [insert name] life.  * [highlight some of their achievements here to make your speech personal and meaningful]

Daily, incrementally and exponentially,  we've seen [insert name] walking steadfast and purposefully through tears and laughter, in and out of relationships and onwards towards [his / her] goals still to be achieved.

Through all of these magical milestone [insert name] has remained positive and empathetic.  [He / She]  embodies a passion and zest for life that is infectious and we have all shared in these moments - they have been magical and many and everyday!

What an honor and a privilege it has been to witness this amazing young [man / lady] and their journey  towards adulthood. And tonight, [insert name] as you stand on the brink of a new chapter in your life, please know that we are so incredibly proud of you and we love you.

May you continue to walk as sure-footed as you always have, may you remain as grounded as you have always been...and may you stay in mind and spirit, forever young .

Happy birthday!

Free 21st birthday speeches - done and dusted.

Now get to work on buying or making an incredible dress or tuxedo for that million dollar babe[or dude]look and planning a great party with easy party ideas and games - your complete guide to the perfect party or birthday with fun games, themes, invitations, recipes and more!

Let's not forget an amazing birthday cake and candles. All about Cupcakes has creative and innovative ideas to further enhance what is going to be a very special evening .

Return from Free 21st Birthday Speeches to Words of Wisdom 40th Birthday Speech - Flaunting Fabulous Forties Birthday Card Sayings - Congratulate and Celebrate Birthday Wishes Sample - Fellowship and Celebratory Words Funny Birthday Sayings - Congratulations... Subtle And Tasteful Humor Birthday Phrases - Here's To A Great Day Free Birthday Speech - Creating Carefree Celebrations Happy Birthday Quotes - Famous Words Of Wisdom

Cheers to 21 Years: Speech Writing Tips for the Perfect 21st Birthday Toast

Stepping into the age of 21 is a significant milestone – a transition from adolescence to adulthood, a moment to celebrate achievements, and an opportunity to look forward to the adventures that lie ahead. If you find yourself tasked with delivering the perfect 21st birthday toast, fear not! In this article, we’ll explore speech writing tips that will help you craft a memorable and heartfelt toast that captures the essence of the occasion.

Start with a Warm Greeting: Setting the Tone

Begin your toast with a warm and genuine greeting to acknowledge the birthday celebrant. Consider incorporating a personal anecdote or a shared memory that highlights the significance of the day. Connecting with the audience from the start will create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

Reflect on Milestones: Celebrating Achievements

Take a moment to reflect on the achievements and milestones of the birthday honoree. Whether it’s academic accomplishments, personal growth, or unique experiences, acknowledge the journey that has led them to this moment. Highlighting these successes adds depth to the toast and underscores the significance of turning 21.

Share Anecdotes and Memories: Adding Personal Touches

Infuse your toast with personal anecdotes and cherished memories that showcase the celebrant’s personality, quirks, and positive qualities. Whether it’s a funny story from the past or a heartwarming moment, sharing personal experiences will resonate with the audience and make the toast more relatable.

Express Gratitude: Acknowledging Friends and Family

Acknowledge the importance of friends and family in the celebrant’s life. Express gratitude for the support, love, and shared experiences that have enriched their journey. This not only highlights the value of relationships but also involves the audience in the celebration.

Look to the Future: Embracing the Next Chapter

As the celebrant embarks on the journey of adulthood, express optimism and excitement for the future. Offer words of encouragement, share aspirations, and convey confidence in their ability to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This forward-looking perspective adds a hopeful and inspirational touch to the toast.

Inject Humor: Keeping the Atmosphere Light

A touch of humor can enhance the toast, creating a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere. Incorporate witty remarks or funny anecdotes that celebrate the celebrant’s sense of humor or playfully tease them in good spirits. Just ensure that the humor aligns with the celebrant’s personality and the tone of the celebration.

End with a Toast: Raising Your Glass to 21 Years

Conclude your speech by proposing a heartfelt toast. Encourage everyone to raise their glasses in celebration of the birthday honoree’s journey and the exciting years that lie ahead. A well-crafted toast not only wraps up the speech on a positive note but also invites everyone to actively participate in the celebration.

Crafting the perfect 21st birthday toast is an opportunity to celebrate the individual, share memories, and inspire hope for the future. By incorporating personal touches, expressing gratitude, and infusing humor, your toast can resonate with the audience and make the celebration truly memorable. So, raise your glass, offer your best wishes, and let your words create a moment that the birthday celebrant will cherish for years to come. Cheers to 21 years!

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Cheers To You! Your Guide To Your 21st Birthday Speech

• February 16, 2022

Congratulations! You will soon turn 21 and brace yourself up for the rest of your adult life. Your 18th birthday was unique because you reached the age of majority and became a legal adult. But your 21st birthday is a big deal, and not to forget your speech.

Writing your 21st birthday speech can be a daunting task as you have hit a significant milestone. As your friends and loved ones gear up to celebrate your special day, this is an opportunity to share exciting anecdotes with them and show them you care.

If you are wondering how to put it all together, don’t worry, as we have some fantastic tips that will make your 21st birthday speech unforgettable.

Why Your 21st Birthday Should Be Memorable

Youngsters are very excited to turn 21 as this is the age where you are officially a responsible adult. From a historical perspective, the 21st birthday was celebrated as a momentous occasion during mediaeval times when a boy became a knight . However, 21st birthdays are no longer gender exclusive but are still considered a significant milestone. Traditionally young people were given the key to the family’s house at 21, making the event all the more special.

Enhance Your 21st Birthday Speech with These Amazing Tips!

Your 21st birthday speech should charm your audience and make your special occasion memorable. If you are looking for some terrific 21st birthday speech ideas, follow these tips to enthral your audience.

Be Prepared and Write It All Down

Make a list of all the wishes, memories, and sentiments you want to include in your speech. This will give you a clue on what you want to focus on in your speech. Once you have listed all the points, you can elaborate on them.

Prepare your speech in advance and practice it a couple of times till you are confident of presenting it to friends and family. If you think that you might forget something, write your speech word-to-word so that you don’t miss out on anything. But make sure not to read out the entire speech from the paper as your guests might die of boredom!

Let Everyone Get a Few Drinks In

Give everyone some time to sit back and enjoy so that they are ready to get entertained. Your jokes will seem funnier once your mates chug a few beers and loosen up.

Thank the Key Players

So many people, including your parents, siblings, and friends, have come together to make this occasion memorable. It is good to start your speech by thanking all the guests for coming. Make sure that you thank the host and let everyone know that you appreciate their efforts. After all, gratitude nurtures your relationships.

Chuck In a Joke

Grab some eyeballs with a funny anecdote ; after all, everyone is here to enjoy your special evening.

It’s okay if humour doesn’t come naturally to you; think about the last time you laughed uncontrollably. Share one of the dumbest things you did on a trip or a plan that went incredibly wrong, and you will take the entertainment quotient up a notch! But make sure not to crack a joke that offends anyone.

Here are a few sample funny 21st birthday speech ideas:

“Happy 21st birthday to my best friend/sibling/child! I can’t believe you’re finally legal… now we can get into all sorts of trouble together! Just kidding, please don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Or wait, scratch that. Do everything I wouldn’t do because that’s probably more fun. Either way, happy birthday and here’s to many more years of mischief and mayhem!”

“Welcome to the adult world, [name]! It’s a weird place filled with responsibility and boring things like paying bills and doing your own laundry. But on the bright side, you can finally drink alcohol! Just remember, it’s all fun and games until someone pukes on the carpet. Happy 21st birthday!”

“Happy 21st birthday, [name]! You’re finally old enough to do all the things your parents told you not to do when you were younger. Just kidding, please don’t actually do those things. But on a serious note, congratulations on reaching this milestone and cheers to many more years of good times ahead!”

Show Sincerity

It is good to have some kind words at the end of your speech. You can share briefly how your friends and family have added meaning to your life and show how much you care for all the people who’ve gathered to make your birthday memorable.

Keep Your Birthday Speech Short

Make your speech short and simple as people have other things vying for their attention. Wondering how long your speech should be? Ideally, it shouldn’t be more than five minutes, so avoid log stories and keep it to the point. Have a party playlist ready, as your guests might be in the mood to hit the dancefloor right after.

Keep Them Wanting More

Twenty-one years is a truly momentous occasion, and you can make it all the more special with a short and exciting speech. Your birthday speech is a great way to express gratitude to your family and friends for their endless support. Moreover, you can also share your future plans with them. The best advice is to make it crisp, straightforward, and funny.

Are you looking for the perfect venue for your 21st birthday bash? We manage all the nitty-gritty details so that you can have a fun bash! Check out Navarra Venues for Hire in Sydney to celebrate in style.

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Speech Writing Tips For Your 21st Birthday

21st Birthday Speech Writing Tips

Birthdays: cake, presents, parties … speeches. Yep, Dad’s getting on and wants to reminisce, friends are celebrating their 21st birthday party  and want jokes that’ll dull the pain, and your third cousin just wants some filler while the candles are being lit. If you’ve been “privileged” with the task of presenting for a shindig, we’ve lined up a few birthday speech writing tips to keep the event as quick and painless as possible for everyone involved.

Scan the room

Ask the party planner about the guests rocking up. If toddlers or grandparents with heart conditions are in the front row, you may want to steer clear of any risqué anecdotes. Your buddy’s wife probably doesn’t want to hear an extended speech about his dating record, either. Know your crowd.

Let everyone get a few drinks in

Barring drunk uncle Larry, who’s bound to have tottered in half-cut anyway, most guests will probably take a little while to loosen up. Give them an hour or so to pound back a couple of beers before trying your hand at entertainment. Trust us: the jokes will seem infinitely funnier.

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Chuck in a joke

On that note, it’s a good idea to keep birthday speeches light and fluffy. Let’s face it, half the guests are probably annoyed at how long the cake’s taking, and the other half are probably trying to break up a family brawl across the room. A funny speech can set a great vibe and act as a welcome distraction.

Sadly, you’re not immortal

Before you start teasing the birthday boy or girl relentlessly, be aware that you probably don’t have the power to stay 29 forever. Your time will come, and they will find you.

The best speeches end with a toast to the guest of honour. Whether that’s in an effort to tug at everyone’s heartstrings or simply dull the pain with a tonne of alcoholic beverages, it doesn’t really matter. Grab a boozy drink, raise your glass, and breathe easy. You’re done.

Our best tip? Tell Dad you’re out of town for next year’s festivities.

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Great Ideas for 21st Birthday Speeches

Turning 21 is a milestone birthday, and one that gathers together friends and family to celebrate their loved one. The most memorable part of the birthday party is often the speeches. Anecdotal and humorous, they should share and reflect upon the delightful and distinctive characteristics of the birthday boy or girl. The speeches should start when all the guests are assembled, relaxed and fed, with a libation in hand for toasts.

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A 21st birthday speech should be engaging and make the audience laugh. Include some humorous anecdotes about things the birthday person did as a child and share some embarrassing -- but not mean -- stories from his school years. The audience will relax and warm to you and the guest of honor will likely take the ribbing in stride. Don't include overtly crude or inappropriate stories that the birthday person has told you in confidence, no matter how funny they are. Keep your humor gentle and good natured.

Achievements

Reflect on the birthday person's accomplishments. Select a few achievements that she is proud of and worked hard for. A 21-year-old is likely to have met some educational or career goals, and these are great topics to mention. Also, praise her qualities and personality traits that you find most endearing. If you've spent a minute making fun of the person, spend at least a minute building her up again and sharing what she means to you personally.

Pictures and Videos

If you can obtain an appropriate projector, show some photos of the birthday person. You can use them in your speech for comedic effect by synchronizing your speech to a slideshow or contrasting your words of praise with pictures exemplifying the opposite. Or show clips of funny home videos of childhood scenes to offer glimpses into the birthday person's history that few people would have seen. Don't let videos run for too long. Get help from a pro to edit the clips into a brief show, perhaps with a comedic title for each vignette.

Keep It Short

Twenty-first birthday speeches should be short and sweet. Party attendees won't appreciate a speech that's too long. Don't test the audience's patience by talking for more than a few minutes, especially if multiple speakers will take the floor. Prepare and practice your speech beforehand so you know how long it takes to deliver. Write it out word for word or have some notes to keep you on track. A funny, short speech is much better than one that overstays its welcome.

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Birthday Speech Tips: How to Write the Perfect Speech

As a professional birthday speechwriter, I have written many milestone birthday speeches, including 21st, 40th, 50th, 80th and more. When it comes to creating an entertaining and memorable speech for a birthday party, you might not be sure how to begin. Here are a few tips for creating a birthday speech, whether it’s for your birthday or that of a colleague, friend or loved one.

Is it for your birthday or someone else’s birthday?

This will make a big difference in how you create this speech. If it’s for yourself, the speech will include thanking people for attending, sharing your memories (successes and challenges), mentioning the impact of your friends and family, and looking to the future. For example, if you are delivering a 50th birthday speech, you will cover important events and people in your life, thank people who have helped you along the way (parents, spouse, other family and friends, etc) and speak about plans for the future. It’s a big day of your life, so you’ll want to think about, plan and write a birthday speech well in advance. 

If a speech is directed at someone else who’s celebrating their birthday, the speech will be a bit different. In this case, it’s to honour that person and help them celebrate. This could include an overview of their life, major achievements and milestones, and best wishes for the future. Everybody loves funny birthday speeches, so it’s always a good idea to include some humour. The best way to do this is to tell funny stories about the person. If it’s a birthday speech for a best friend, it could include funny things that happened to you. 

21st birthday speech

Typically, this is delivered at a 21st birthday party by one of the parents or a close friend. The speaker reflects on the 21 years and offers best wishes for the future. If you are a parent giving a 21st birthday speech, you could mention their birth, what they were like as a baby, key milestones from the childhood and young adult years, and challenges and achievements. The best part of a 21st birthday speech is the opportunity for humour. Think back to all the funny things that happened over the years and include a few of these. Avoid things that might be too embarrassing or you might not speak to your child again. But seriously, a 21st birthday speech is a great time to honour a family member as they enter the next phase of their life. 

Here’s an example of a funny story from a 21st birthday speech for a daughter: 

Tanya has always known exactly what she wants and moves mountains to get it. When she was little, that included mountains of clothes! Sometimes it took us 45 minutes to an hour to get Tanya dressed for kinder in the morning. Her bedroom floor at home may have looked as though a tornado had ripped through it, but Tanya always stepped into kinder in style with a perfectly co-ordinated outfit. 

If you choose to include funny stories, it helps if your audience members have a sense of humour. 

Milestone speech for a best friend or loved one

Whether it’s for a friend’s 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th birthday, you can highlight your relationship with them and how you’ve been through thick and thin together. Speak about the best qualities of your amazing friend and provide a few examples or stories to support this. 

The birthday toast

Whether it’s for your child’s, spouse’s or friend’s birthday, the birthday toast is an essential closing to the speech. Depending on your relationship, it could be a serious or funny birthday toast. Here’s one example from a husband to his wife on her 50th birthday: 

Please join me in a toast to Belinda. Belinda, I am truly grateful for the wonderful times we have had and I anticipate many more to come. You mean so much to me, our family and our friends. As we grow older and our love grows stronger, I look forward to supporting each other, sharing good times and creating more happy memories together. Happy Birthday, Belinda!

Get in touch for birthday speech help

If you are stuck and wondering how to write a 50th birthday speech or how to write a speech for a friend’s birthday, we offer birthday speech writing services to create fun and memorable birthday speeches. 

Please contact us on 1300 731 955 or send us an email to discuss your requirements. 

Examples of a 18th/21st Birthday speech

Here two examples of a 18th/21st Birthday speech, from the friend/ family and also from the birthday person.

You could probably use adapt it for your own personal use.

18th/21st Birthday speech

From the friend of the Birthday person

.. .. has asked me to say a few words. So first, on behalf of .. .. I’d like to thank you all for coming.

We all know .. .. for his/her jokes. From all the ones that he/she has told me over the years, I have managed to find a good one, so here goes.

“One day three guys are walking back home from the pub, when they discover a magic lamp at the side of the road. One rubs the side and a Genie pops out, and says “I’ll grant you one wish each, so what shall it be?” The first looks at the Genie and says, “I want to be irresistible to all the women.” The Genie clicks his fingers and instantly the guy had a perfect face and body.

The second looks at the Genie and says, “I want to be smart.” The Genie clicks his fingers and the guy has glasses and a bad haircut, but was really good at maths. The third guy looks at his friend in glasses, then looks at the Genie and says, “ I want to be so smart I never get another thing wrong in my life!” The Genie clicks his fingers, and he became a woman.

No offence to you women out there, but that was his only joke, the best one I could steal from him.

I’ve known .. .. for X amount of years, ever since we were in school/work. And since that day we have been good friends. We have seen each other become who we are today to this point and he/she has helped me to get through some pretty bad times. But on the reverse of that coin, we have had some really great times together: like our trip to .. .., the parties, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve cried with laughing with them. So .. .. thanks for the great times, and let’s hope tonight and in the future there are many more to come. Cheers.

Now .. .. is going to say a few words. Come on up here.. ..

(here is a possible reply for the birthday person.)

A Possible reply from the Birthday person

Thanks .. .., for the speech. It meant a lot. Ooh, just one thing though, at least one funny joke is better than none.

.. .. is right though, I owe you all a massive thank you. Firstly for coming, secondly to all the people who made tonight such a great night, and thirdly for listening to us all go on for so long.

Just a couple of thank you’s from me. Mum/Dad you have been great, an inspiration to me. You have helped me so much over the years, I know I wouldn’t be who I am today with out you, so thank you. All the people who helped out here tonight making food, or blowing up balloons – thank you. And lastly to the bar staff for keeping the beer flowing, thanks to you guys too.

There’s not really much more for me to say, so have a good night, don’t drink and drive, and I’ll see you all later.

Ryan Marshall , Presentation Magazine

Would you be willing to share your Birthday Speech? Simply add it to the comments box

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Birthday Speeches – Eleven Top Tips on What to Say or Do

Articles for publication, you may publish the article on the left free of charge, but you must follow these guidelines:.

Author: Niamh Crowe

Keywords: Birthday speech, Birthday speeches, Birthday toasts, Birthday Toast, Birthday Party, Birthday Parties.

Summary: The 11 most important tips – to say or do when you are giving birthday speeches. Here is a practical and useful list of them!

• Your birthday speech should always end on a positive note. Be positive in your speech. Talk about the future and all the good things you wish for the celebrant in the days ahead. Above all your birthday speech should leave him/her with happy memories.

Niamh Crowe is the CEO of the web’s leading speech site (http://www.speech-writers.com) according to Alexa.com and Ranking.com. Online since 1994, her site has thousands of speeches for every event and occasion including birthdays, weddings, graduations etc. She lives in Ireland where she is married to Fred. The have 5 children.

Click here for our list of Wedding Speeches

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Birthday Speech Examples For A Festive Celebration

A birthday speech to acknowledge the special day of a friend, family member, or colleague introduces and honors the person and wishes them welcome. Many birthday speech examples are available as templates to craft a birthday speech appropriate for the person celebrating.

Along with a festive song around the birthday cake, parties honoring someone celebrating a birthday often include a short toast or birthday speech. You might have the opportunity to speak if you are close to the birthday boy or girl.

How do you know if you should plan to speak? How do you choose the right words? Should you give a funny birthday speech or a serious one? As always, when you have questions, we have answers.

Table of Contents

What Do You Say In A Birthday Speech?

When framing a birthday speech , you need to consider a few things:

• Who is the guest of honor?
• What is their relationship to you?
• Is the birthday boy or girl more likely to appreciate a serious or funny birthday speech?
• How many people are speaking?
• Will there be a set time to give birthday toasts or speeches, or will it be a simple, impromptu thing?

How Do You Start Birthday Speech Examples?

Starting a memorable occasion speech is especially easy if you are the first (or only) speaker. Then, a simple “Good morning” or “Good evening” is an appropriate way to greet the guests. Once you give that traditional greeting, jump into what you want to say.

“We are gathered here tonight for a birthday celebration to honor our close friend (name). Growing up with (name), I found myself wondering if we would see our 60th birthdays. Remember riding our dirt bikes? Jumping off of the roof into your aunt’s pool? And how could we forget our 21st birthday? But the point is we survived youth craziness, and here we are. Let’s all raise a glass to (name) on his special day. Happy birthday, my friend.” 

What Do You Say In A Birthday Speech If You Are A Parent?

If you are the parent, are you hosting the event for your son or daughter? There are certain milestone birthdays that a parent might still be likely to host, such as the 16th or 18th birthday.

A parent giving a birthday speech might thank all of the wonderful people for coming to celebrate with their son or daughter on their birthday. How you word the rest of the speech depends on how close your relationship is with your child and your child’s gender and age.

For example, a dad talking about his little girl at her Quinceanera will acknowledge that his daughter is now considered a woman. The speech will include points of pride and love for his daughter. At a Quinceanera, a tradition in Hispanic culture that happens on a young woman’s 15th birthday, it is tradition for many guests to give a short speech.

Of course, there are occasions in all cultures where a parent would give a birthday speech. Many young women celebrate a Sweet Sixteen with a party. Since most mothers hope to be their daughter’s best friend one day, this party is a lovely time for a mother to state this hope.

Here is an example birthday speech from a mom for her daughter’s sweet sixteen,

“Thank you for coming to (name’s) sweet sixteen party. My little girl is practically grown up now, and it is hard to believe because it all happened in the blink of an eye. I want to express my birthday wishes to (name). We have built many beautiful memories over your lifetime, (name). You have grown into a beautiful young woman and quickly moved from being my daughter to being a great friend. I want to extend birthday wishes on behalf of your dad and me. Happy birthday, princess.”

What Should I Say In A Birthday Speech For A Coworker?

When celebrating a coworker’s birthday, ask yourself about your relationship before making a speech and offering a toast. It might be appropriate for you to talk about how much positive energy they add to the workplace. Another tactic could be to discuss how they are such a team player.

Never bring up anything negative at a person’s birthday party. If you find them annoying or lazy as a coworker, say nothing.

What Should I Say In My Friend’s Birthday Speech?

If it is your best friend’s birthday, there are many angles to approach for giving a great birthday speech. First, you might share some  fun stories.  This is especially great if you have been friends for a long time and have some  great memories  to talk about. Using  touching quotes  is another way to approach the speech.

While certain birthdays are conducive to poking fun about the person’s age, we want to caution you that not everyone takes these well. If your friend seems to be struggling with age, sharing stories might be more appropriate than pulling  out the old fart jokes.  Bring out the hilarity and jabs for friends who love a  good roasting !

Do You Focus On Age In A Birthday Speech?

You certainly can focus on age in a birthday speech, but you don’t have to. If the person’s age seems essential to the angle you are taking in your remarks, mention it. However, you don’t need to.

What Do You Include In Speeches For Milestone Birthdays?

• 16th Birthday:  The 16th birthday , called a sweet sixteen for girls, should include something about the guest of honor practically being an adult.
• 18th Birthday:  As the official entry into adulthood in many countries, the 18th birthday is a big one. Make sure to recognize this in any birthday speech.
• 21st Birthday:  Even though people can legally drink alcohol at much younger ages in other countries, in the United States, this is the magic number for being able to drink. For this reason, this birthday is often accompanied by a party. A parent often will recognize that fact in a speech or toast.
• 30th Birthday:  Also called the “dirty thirty,” this is a fun milestone birthday to celebrate what many see as the end of their youth. Speeches and toasts for this birthday typically include birthday quotes about getting older and recognition of the next stage of life. You certainly can use some funny one-liner jokes, quotes, or tidbits.
• 40th Birthday:  Middle age is between 40 and 50, so this birthday sometimes takes work for people, especially women. It is always appropriate to wish the birthday person long life and health. If you know the person well enough to be sure they will handle gentle ribbing well, you could make some “getting old” jokes in your speech.
• 50th Birthday:  When giving a 50th birthday speech, people commonly start to make “old fart” jokes and give gag birthday gifts. Everything “over the hill” is appropriate for celebrating a loved one’s “Happy 50th birthday.”
• 60th Birthday:  Wishing someone good health and happiness as they turn 60 are relevant topics for this birthday speech. Another birthday where people often joke about how old the person is, don’t be surprised if the birthday cake’s theme is “older than dirt.” When giving a speech at a milestone birthday for someone older, take your cues from others. If the guest of honor is struggling with getting older or in poor health, give a touching speech rather than one full of jokes.
•   100th Birthday:  Living this long is a very big deal, and a 100th birthday is likely to be met with many people who want to say a few words. At this age, leave all jokes aside. Celebrate the centenarian’s life with birthday quotes and stories of special places and events you have seen together.

Birthday Speech Template

• Introduction:  Introduce yourself and state how you know the guest of honor.
• Body:  Tell a couple of stories or share a special birthday quote.
• Conclusion:  Every speech needs to be wrapped up. You might do this by offering up a birthday toast or simply by giving a closing remark like,  “I am so blessed to be your friend, (name) and hope you have a beautiful celebration.”

How Do You Say Thank You For A Birthday Speech?

As the guest of honor, you will be expected to say a few words at your own birthday celebration . Acknowledging those who have shared kind words and stories about you is appropriate. This does not have to be long. You can say,  “I appreciate everyone for coming to share in my special day, especially everyone who said such lovely things about me. Thank you all for coming.”

You should also acknowledge whoever hosted the party. For example,  “Thank you to my husband and best friend for throwing this lovely surprise party for me. I appreciate all the work that went into planning every detail, from the venue to the food to everyone who spoke. I appreciate you all.”

A former English teacher and currently an elementary principal in a rural school, Pam has honed her speaking skills in the classroom and before professional groups. Pam enjoys sharing her insights about public speaking almost as much as she enjoys running, which she does daily.

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Birthday Speech [From Celebrant or For a Guest]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

In this article:

Birthday Speech Topics From The Celebrant

Birthday speech ideas for a guest, birthday speech topics for the celebrant and guests.

Birthday speech template including 8 samples for the celebrant and 18 for a guest at the anniversary party.

The tone is personal, congratulatory, lighthearted and sincere. So, come up with nice entertaining birthday thoughts, funny remarks and tell humorous stories or even jokes.

A guest can roast the celebrated person a little bit with giving special birthday gifts. But don’t go to far. How far you can go depends on the ambiance of the occasion.

So, it is good to know who is on the guest list:

• Do they know each other?
• How close to the celebrant are they?

Okay, I’ve made my point: don’t include insulting or smutty public speaking speech content. After all, it’s a happy day for she / he is a jolly good fellow  Just a small note before we start: were I wrote She or Her in my free birthday writing templates, you can read He or Him also.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Pick out the ones you like. These are sample speech topics. If you are the celebrant then speak after all other speakers. Keep your speech short.

• Welcome and thank all the guests for attending this beautiful party celebration.
• Thank all for their party gifts and best wishes.
• Thank the family members who have organized the party. Especially if it is a surprise party.
• Look back at the past. Mention one or two important milestones in your life. E.g. your partner, the birth of your children or their graduation, memorable moments with friends, trips around the world, special projects, hobbies, etc. Warm and funny birthday speech topics about family ties always do the trick.
• Thank all with one entertaining sentence, in which you capture the importance of your family and friends.
• Tell the attendants about your plans and hopes.
• What do you want to realize?
• What do you want to change? And why?

And those popular and famous speech topics bring me to the next birthday gifts idea.

• If it is a very special event – you reached a special age, for example – your 30th, 40th of 50th birthday – then pay attention to it. Tell a joke about people who reached this age related to the little surprise you want to hand over.

Otherwise, mention certain circumstances if they occur and influence the events. But do not sound sad, try to approach them in a positive way.

• End your speech with praising the guests. Just say you hope that they will be back. At the party next year…

These topic ideas are suitable for every public speaking job.

INTRODUCTION

• Thank for the invitation to be guest.
• Thank for the invitation to give a birthday speech.
• Congratulate the person who enjoys all as center of the attention.

THE PARTY ITSELF

• Mention a nice, funny or emotional moment at the annivesary till now.
• If you are one of the people who organized the party: look ahead. What’s coming up next? Lunch, dinner, you are moving to another location, room or place later this day or evening, other speakers, maybe mystery guest at the annivesary?
• Mention the special circumstances, if appropriate. For instance think about the weather, the location, the number of people who are attending the birthday party, and so on. Look around and use your imagination.
• What age? Is it a jubilee year? Is it a 18th, 21st, 40th, 50th, 60th or a 70th birthday speech, or even a 80th, 90th or 100th? Did she said something herself about reaching this age? Mention this unique number and its merits and uniqueness.
• What happened today in history?
• Are there memorable events on the date of birth?
• Was she born at a special place?
• Is she happily married? Describe this relationship.
• Children, grandchildren?
• Other notewirthy developments within the scope of the family ties? Mention those themes and don’t forget to congratulate her family.

ROAST A LITTLE BIT

Tease and roast the celebrant, but avoid any personal stuff that might upset or annoy the celebrant or a guest:

• Roast the girl or boy a little bit. Can you characterize her personality?
• What have other people said about her?
• Mention her talents, hobbies or passions.
• Are there noteworthy developments or achievements in her work and career? What has she always wanted to be?
• What are her pet peeves?
• What are her values of life? How does she propagate them?
• Look ahead to her future. What were and/or are her goals or hopes in life? Do you think she will succeed? Be optimistic and supportive. Or – if you want to spoof somewhat – tell your disagreeing point of view with a wink …
• Recapitulate the wishes and congratulations. Try to summarize all the best you wish in one well-meaned special speech topic statement.
• And then of course, at last but not least, the closer: the toast. Propose a toast to the health of the girl, so to speak.
• Give her a present or hand over the gift on behalf of all people who join. Don’t forget to tell you speak on behalf of everybody!

Have a nice party and may this information helps to enjoy preparing your birthday speech. Happy anniversary to you and to your relative or friend!

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What to Write In a 21st Birthday Messages - 69 Different Ideas

Turning 21 is a big birthday! It’s one we take very seriously in western cultures, as after an 18th birthday, it’s the next birthday that signifies your arrival to adulthood. When we turn 18, most age restrictions don’t apply to us, but still a few. At 21 the world is your oyster!

Any big birthday, and especially a 21st birthday, deserves a gift and most importantly a birthday greeting card. However, knowing what to write on a 21st birthday isn’t always that easy.

Even a short 21st birthday message needs a bit of consideration. How close are you to the recipient, and what is your relationship with them? Can they see the humour in your card and can they take a joke, or should you stick to being friendly and celebrative? Do they like heartwarming messages, or do they prefer to keep it light?

Luckily for you, we have curated some of the best messages to write in a 21 st Birthday card to take all the pressure off your shoulders.

Funny Things To Write In A 21st Birthday Card

Most 21 year olds will take a joke, and most likely won’t be insulted with a card being humorous about their age. Funny birthday card messages would be perfect from siblings and friends - we can leave the gushing heartwarming messages for the parents and grandparents! Choose one of our funny 21st birthday wishes below, and personalise it where you see fit. Perhaps use some personal details that you and the recipient share, for example a trip that you both went on, or how you both met all those many years ago.

• Enjoy turning 21 today - it’s all downhill from now on!
• By 21, Jane Austen had written Pride and Prejudice. But you’re still doing great!
• By 21, Steve Jobs had founded Apple. But you’re still doing great!
• You’re 21! You are officially an adult… and old.
• 21 years of being a muppet.
• 21 looks good on you.
• Look out world, here you come!
• 21 today! Time to get your sh*t together.
• Happy 21st Birthday! Drink responsibly… don’t spill any of it.
• Time to get drunk and forget you’re getting old. Happy 21st!
• Time to grow up! Happy Birthday.
• Happy 21st Birthday! Don’t grow up… it’s a trap!
• Here’s your annual reminder of how thoughtful I am - Happy 21st Birthday!

Heartwarming Things To Write In A 21st Birthday Card

Perhaps humour isn’t the way to go, but instead a heartfelt and thoughtful message will work. You could use this opportunity to wish them a happy 21st birthday, and let them know how proud you are of them and what they mean to you. This is officially their entrance into adulthood, and that means a lot!

• Have a wonderful day today on your 21st Birthday.
• How time flies - Happy 21st Birthday.
• So proud of who you have become over these 21 years.
• You are such a beautiful person, inside and out. Happy 21st!
• 21 - This is big! So proud of you and all you have accomplished so far.
• So proud of what you have achieved and what you are going to achieve. Happy 21st birthday!
• Life isn’t about finding yourself - it’s about creating yourself. Happy birthday!
• Can’t quite believe you are 21! I remember you running around in nappies.
• 21 and amazing.

Happy 21st Birthday Message for Daughter

Your daughter is turning 21. This is the perfect opportunity to wish them a happy birthday, and explain how proud you are of them and why. This greeting card you send may well become a keepsake card for them, that they will treasure for a number of years after this birthday. Choosing a beautifully designed card and well thought out personal message is a must!

• We are so proud of you - Happy 21st Birthday daughter.
• To the most amazing daughter we could have wished for - Happy 21st Birthday!
• I can’t wait to see what your future holds for you!
• So proud of the woman you have become.
• No matter what, you’ll always be our little girl.
• You’ll always be our princess!
• You make us so proud, each and every single day.
• I know that the path ahead for you is bright – you deserve every success
• You know I’ll always be here for you son, cheering you on, with a shoulder to cry on.
• I can’t believe the little baby girl I held in my arms is turning 21 today.

Happy 21st Birthday Message for Son

So your son is finally turning 21, and where has that time gone! Choosing the perfect message for their birthday card is a great way to let them know how proud you are of who they have become over these 21 years. 

• We are so proud of you - Happy 21st Birthday Son.
• To the most amazing son we could have wished for - Happy 21st Birthday!
• So proud of the man you have become.
• No matter what, you’ll always be our little boy.
• You’ll always be our prince charming!
• You know I’ll always be here for you son, cheering you on, with a listening ear, and doing your ironing.
• I can’t believe the little baby boy I held in my arms is turning 21 today.

Happy 21st Birthday Message for Sister

Happy 21st Birthday Sister - Forever looking up to you!

Happy 21st Birthday Little Sister. I still remember when we used to dress up!

I’m so lucky to have a sister like you.

Forever my partner in crime.

So lucky to have a sister and a best friend in one.

Happy 21st Birthday Message for Brother

Happy 21st Birthday Brother - Forever looking up to you!

Happy 21st Birthday Little Brother. I still remember when we used to wrestle!

I’m so lucky to have a brother like you.

Bro - I can’t believe you’re 21! Happy Birthday.

Inspirational 21st Birthday Message

Using a more inspirational message is always appropriate when you are truly proud and impressed by the recipient, and what they have achieved or overcome in their time. It might be that the recipient has had a tough time up until their 21st birthday, but yet they have persevered and overcome their challenges. It may be that the recipient has achieved a great deal in a relatively short amount of time - this could be related to starting their own business, buying their own home, striving to help others through charitable work etc. 

• I’ve always looked up to you and I’m so proud of the person you have become. It’s a blessing to have you in my life.
• On your 21st birthday, you deserve all of the happiness and joy that life can bring.
• You have always inspired me. With all you’ve been through so far, you persevere and move forward. Stronger than ever on your 21st birthday.
• All you’ve accomplished in your 21 brief years on this earth - it’s astounding!
• You have accomplished so much in such little time! What a role model you are for those that know you. I’m so proud of the grown-up you have become.
• What does life have in store for you? An adulthood filled with joy, happiness and success is my birthday wish for you.
• You’ve so many choices left to make as you turn the corner past 21. Whatever path you take, may it provide all of the happiness and success that you deserve.
• What an impressive person you have become.
• Go now, and do amazing things!

21st Birthday Quotes

Sometimes you can say all you need to say with a quote. Below we have compiled a list of quotes that can be applied to reaching that 21st birthday milestone. Of course, you could always accompany a message along with one of these 21st birthday quotes.

• “Always remember – you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and more loved than you know.” – Christopher Robin, Pooh’s Grand Adventure
• “All the world is a birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” George Harrison
• “21, if truth be told, is partly young and partly old.” Unknown
• “Birthdays are good for you, the more you have the longer you’ll live.” Unknown
• “Don’t just count your years, make your years count.” – George Meredith
• “Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.” – Lucy Larcom:
• “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” – Doctor Seuss
• “Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” – Franz Kafka

Hopefully the above 21st birthday best wishes have inspired you in some way. Choosing any of the above messages should be a great place to start from in writing the perfect 21st birthday card. The one tip we could give is to personalise the message to a memory or connection you have with the recipient. This will make it a truly personal and unique message that they are sure to love and treasure. If you are stuck on finding the perfect 21st birthday card, then please take a look at our collection of birthday greeting cards. There are a number of designs to choose from.

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50 Great Birthday Speeches for All

Struggling to craft a sweet and touching happy birthday speech to a loved one or acquaintance? If that is what you are battling with, you have come to a place that will help you easily surmount that challenge.

Below we have put together some beautiful speeches that you can deliver on the birthday celebrations of the wonderful people in your life. You can use these fine orations the way they have been published here or pick ideas from them to write your own.

Table of Contents

Birthday speech for a friend, funny birthday speeches, birthday speech for mom, birthday speech for dad, 60th birthday speech, birthday speech for your husband, birthday speech for your wife, 21st birthday speech from mother/father to daughter, birthday speech for your daughter, birthday speeches for your son, birthday speeches for your brother, birthday speech for your sister, birthday speech for your boss, birthday speeches for your working partner.

Whether it’s your best friend or a friend from middle school that you haven’t seen for years, you’ll find what you need here.

• You’ve been my best friend since 6th grade. I’ll never forget you walking into my math class and sitting right next to me like you knew we were meant to be best friends. Ever since that day, I have had the privilege of watching you grow as a person. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, but I’ve always had a safe place to go where I wouldn’t be judged. So, thank you for always being on my side for the last 10 years. Thank you for being my best friend. Happy Birthday.
• Thank you for thinking of me on your special day. We haven’t seen each other for years, but it’s amazing how we talked today like no time went by. I hope you are having a great time. I know I am. You’ve grown so much as a person since we last saw each other. I’m so excited to get to know you again and pick up where we left off back in the day.

• (NAME), your ability to keep me out of trouble has been one of the greatest attributes I admire a lot about you. I still remember back in the days when we were kids and how you used to keep the adults very busy with your amazing antics, just to make sure I never got spanked for my mischievous doings.
• On special days like today, I think we should make merry and let the whole world know that we are celebrating the most important day of the year. I pray for many days like today for you, but I hope you know that more birthdays come with more wrinkles on your face. Anyway, I know you love birthdays and wouldn’t mind having many wrinkles on your face just to celebrate another birthday. May this anniversary bring joy and happiness to you, (NAME).
• Being a truly special day today, ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to use this opportunity to invite you all to become wildlife supporters so that we can all have a fabulously wild party!

• It affords me much pleasure to have the privilege to deliver this speech in honor of the birthday celebration of a dear friend of mine. (NAME), I will like to take advantage of this outstanding day in your life to let you know how much your presence in my life means to me. I might not say it to you very often, but you mean the world to me. (NAME), you and I have been the best of friends since we were little. I know you inside out and you know me inside out. But you are really more than just a mere friend to me; you are my brother/sister and inspiration.
• All my life I’ve never seen anyone that is as loving and caring as you. And in addition to that you have an excellent sense of humor, which makes you the more wonderful. I wouldn’t trade your company for all the gold in the world. How blessed I am to have a magnificent person like you whom I call my friend and brother/sister.
• On this special day of your life, I wish you all the good fortune in the world. May this anniversary celebration mark the beginning of breathtaking accomplishments in your life. You deserve it. You have really come a long way and achieved a great deal in many spheres of your life despite the challenging circumstances and obstacles that stood in your way.  I’m so proud and honored to be counted among your closest friends. Have a gloriously happy birthday celebration and a long life accompanied by good health, happiness and peace.

This category could fit anyone in your life. So, if you want to stand out and make them laugh, this is for you.

• Happy birthday to one of maybe 3 people that I don’t need Facebook to help me remember that you’re aging. We’re all here to celebrate you, and you should really appreciate that. I mean, I gave up my evening of doing absolutely nothing to be here with you. But seriously, you’re the family member I’m least ashamed of being related to. So, thank you for that and enjoy your day.
• Well, I was going to joke about you getting older, but then I remembered that every year you get older, I also get older. So, I had some wine and thought about it. Age really does get better with wine. Anyway, here’s to one year closer to being that crazy cat lady, talking to ourselves and being the only ones laughing at our own jokes. Oh wait, we’re already there.
• Dearest (NAME), I congratulate you and wish you a happy birthday for growing a year older. It is always nice to be in your company because you are such a fun loving person.  It amazes me how you are able to perfect the art of putting smiles on faces of people around you. Indeed, you should be contesting for the award of the “The World’s Funniest”. On Sundays. In April. In leap years.

Whether you’re best friends with her, or just love your mom dearly, this list is for her:

• Thank you for being my best friend and confidant for so many years. Not everyone is blessed to have a caring, loving mom like I am. And I want you to know that I am truly thankful. I have always been able to come to you with anything, and that has helped me become the confident person that I am today. So, thank you, and I wish you all the best on your special day and every day after.
• Mom, I haven’t known you for my entire life, but I struggle to remember a time that you weren’t there. Thank you for accepting me as yours. Blood isn’t everything and you have shown that by taking me in and treating me like your own child. I know I’ll never be able to repay you for that, but just know that today and every day, I appreciate it.

This category is for your dad, whether it’s a father figure or your actual father.

• Hey Dad, today is your special day and I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate you. Every time I needed advice about life, or my car was making a funny noise, I always knew I could come to you. Thank you for teaching me how to take care of myself. Although I still might have to call you when something breaks, you have taught me how to be a good person above all.
• I know you weren’t there when I was born, and you didn’t see me take my first steps. But you will always be my dad. You have come into my life and taught me how to be a self-sufficient person. You taught me what love really is, and I want you to know that I wouldn’t trade you for the world. Thank you for choosing me and never giving up on me. Happy Birthday dad.

50th birthday speech

• The easy joke is calling you over the hill or halfway there, but the truth is that you’ve been on this earth for half of a century. That sounds like a long time, but it’s really not. Life is so short. Time truly flies. But I’m so lucky to have known you for some/all of those 50 years.
• You’ve been alive for 50 years, and you are still the kindest person that I know. You have grown with such grace and empathy. Some people get cold as they get older, but after being here for 50 years, you are still just as kind as the day we met. I wish you continued happiness on your journey.

Happy 50th Birthday Wishes!

• Although you’re 60 today, it continues to amaze me how much you still want to learn and grow. This age is the perfect time to try something new. So, let’s try yoga or go horseback riding. Either way, if I’m there with you, I know it’ll be a blast. It has been an absolute pleasure knowing you, and I wish you an even better year than the last.
• Today, you’re 21,915 days old. Sure, that sounds like a lot, but you have truly used all of those days to do your best. For 60 years, you haven’t stopped giving, caring and loving those around you. You always make sure the people around you know that you care about them and what they have to say. So, today is for you. We’re celebrating, giving, caring and loving you today because you deserve it.

Happy 60th Birthday Wishes!

• To my darling husband, (NAME), on your birthday, I say, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for always being by my side to love, support, encourage and protect me”. You not only make my heart happy but also my entire body as a whole. God really blessed me abundantly the day He brought us together.
• You are such a phenomenal friend and husband to me. Honey, not even all the words in the dictionary will be sufficient to express to you the amount of love that this heart of mine has for you. Such is the depth of my love for you. Thank you for every beautiful thing you have done for me.
• Prior to meeting you, I always wondered who would ever feel the great vacuum in my life, but then you came into my life and not only filled that emptiness in my but whisked me to paradise. Having an amazing friend and husband like you is worth more than all the diamonds and money in the world. I truly love you from the bottom of the deepest cores of my heart and soul.

• To all the beautiful people here, who took time off their busy schedules to attend the birthday celebration of my beloved wife, I say, “Thanks for being so wonderful to us”. I can forget everything in my life, but never will I forget the birthday of my beloved (NAME), who is not only my sweet wife but also my best friend and mentor.
• On your anniversary, honey, I have a confession to make. When you go to bed, what you don’t know is the fact that very often I wake up in the middle of the night and stare at you as you sleep peacefully finding it hard to believe that a wonderful woman like you chose me to be her husband. How I became so lucky to have you in my life is something I will never understand. You are indeed the greatest treasure of my life – there’s absolutely no two ways about it!
• (NAME), thank you for being an incredibly caring, loving and supportive wife to me. Thank for touching my life in a way that no other has and will ever do. From the deepest part of my heart, I wish you a long, happy life. May every desire of your heart that hasn’t yet materialized begin materializing in grand style from today onwards. I love you so much, honey. Thank you for being my superwoman and the love of my life. Happy birthday!

• We’ve come a long way from the Cinderella-themed parties when you were young. Now I am suddenly looking across the table at an adult. I’m not sure where the time went, but I am so proud of the sweet, intelligent, beautiful girl you’ve become. As you explore adulthood, I just hope you are happy, safe and stay true to yourself no matter what.
• For 21 years, I have watched you grow, learn, struggle and overcome, but one thing I was always so proud of is your determination. That fire inside of you has been there for your entire life. Whether it was learning to walk or to drive, you always had that fire in your eyes, and I can’t wait to see where that determination takes you. I’m endlessly proud of you.

Happy 21st Birthday Wishes!

• My sweet angel, as you turn a new age today, know that there’s nothing in this world that I wouldn’t do to put happiness in your heart and smiles on your beautiful face. You are my rainbow and everything I treasure in this world.
• Sweetheart, I only have one advice for you today. Work hard and never stop having faith in yourself. If you do this, all you big dreams will always come to fruition and you will certainly be all the things you want to be.
• You are a beautiful young woman who brings glory to me all the time, and for that I shall forever be thankful to my lucky stars. Sunshine, may the good Lord be with you every moment of your life and guide your every step. Happy birthday, my dearly beloved daughter. I love you so much.
• Son, you are one of the biggest reasons I wake up with a smile on my face every morning. You make me exceedingly proud to be a father/mother every second of my life. I couldn’t have asked God to bless me with a better son. For as long as I live, I shall support you physically and spiritually. I shall always be there for you through the good times, the not so good times, and the bad times.
• Before I take my seat, I’d like to take this opportunity to ask everyone here to kindly join me to wish my dear son and friend a super duper happy birthday! I love you so much, son.

• Happy birthday to the best brother in this world!  I know I can always count on your support during difficult and pleasant times. You are someone who always seeks to have a positive impact on everyone who comes into your life, which I believe is the reason why you have attracted so many good friends. Planet earth will be a very wonderful place to be if everyone had a brother like you who is so selfless and very tolerant as well.
• (NAME), we have had many amazing moments together and I can remember our childhood days when we used to do a lot of wild and crazy stuff. Growing up was really fun with you around. I want you to know that I cherish every moment that I spend with you. Brother, you are the reason I am who I am today and this is because you always inspire and encourage me to seek greater heights in life.
• Today, being a very important day in your life, I want to use this moment to express my sincerest gratitude to you for all your support, care and above all the extraordinary love that you have shown me. My prayer for you is to have a life that overflows with joy, happiness, and good health. Happy birthday, dear brother!
• Happy birthday, lovely sister! I truly think that you deserve an award for the “Best Sister of the Year”, and to be honest this is not because you have been an amazing person to me, but your exceptional qualities as a person and a woman for that matter needs to be applauded.

• Sweet sister, whenever the thought of you crosses my mind (which it often does), it brings memories of very exciting moments that we have shared together. You are caring, smart and full of fun, which always makes me feel that I am the luckiest sibling on this earth, knowing that I have someone very special like you in my life.
• (NAME), I can’t thank you enough for all the awesome things that you have done for me. You have been my best friend, and I can’t imagine how my world would be without you. I want to congratulate you on adding another year to your life and I hope that this birthday brings you an abundance of happiness and joy. Happy birthday, dear sister!
• Hi everyone! I always count myself to be one of the luckiest persons in this world to have such an extraordinary boss like you. Your relationship with your employees transcends the usual. To me, you are a best friend and a brother as well. I will be forever grateful to you for all the support you have given me and most importantly for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful Company.
• Your leadership style is one of the best one can think of. You are always on the lookout for the best in terms of the welfare of your employees and the Company as a whole. Professionally, I consider you to be the best boss I have ever met. You have made the workplace one of the most enjoyable places to be.
• I can’t thank you enough for having a good impact on the lives of all your employees. I want to use this special day to wish you all the best in life. I pray that the Almighty Lord will keep on blessing you with many more exciting days like your birthday today. Once again, I wish you a fantastic birthday, dear boss!
• To me and this business, you have proven to be a valuable asset. Words cannot express how much pleasure it gives me to work with such a dedicated person like you. I am really amazed and impressed by the professional way you go about your work, especially in solving very tedious problems. Your exceptional decision-making skills have yielded awesome results for this business. You deserve a standing ovation for the professionalism you bring to this business.
• Again, (NAME), words cannot sufficiently express how grateful I am to you for all the sleepless nights and backbreaking tasks that you had to go through just to make sure that the business is on the right path. Your loyalty to this partnership has always been true and you are indeed the ideal person to do business with.
• This business has been successful, and I believe that it will only get better because of a special partner like you who has always been there through thick and thin. I want to use this moment to let you know that you are my inspiration and I am thankful for having you in both my professional and personal life. I wish you all the best as you commemorate this special day which marks your birthday.

Related:  200 of the Best Birthday Messages to Make Someone’s Day Special

You may also like:

#MySpecialDay | 199 Birthday Instagram Captions

99 Clever and Funny Birthday Wishes to Make your Greetings Stand Out

Professionally Yours : Happy Birthday Wishes for my Boss

Yiannis Kalliantas (He/Him) has worked for more than 15 years in the hotel industry, organizing all kinds of social events like birthday parties and wedding receptions.

He has an MBA in Tourism, and is an avid city photographer. His recent work on street photography in Athens, Greece can be found on his website IWalkAthens.com .

SEE ALL CONTRIBUTORS

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Birthday speech

Putting a birthday speech together can be a very daunting process, especially if you have to write it for someone else.

Like many of us, unless you have a natural talent, it’s not uncommon to go blank when it comes to this topic. The usual spiel of thanking everyone and telling them to enjoy their night is satisfactory though can be quite boring and leave everyone yawning.

But dont worry, by following these easy tips and examples of speeches, you will be able to ensure your birthday speech is one that captivates your audience and makes the moment a memorable one.

5 tips to help you with your next birthday speech

1. write it all down.

Take a few moments to list all the qualities and funny moments in dot points to give you an understanding of what you want to highlight. After listing them all down, take the time to elaborate on the points.

2. Find a sample speech that works

Find a sample birthday speech that you feel is suitable for the occasion. Use the points and information that you had written previously and incorporate them into the sample speech. By using the sample speech as a template, you have the benefit of following a proven recipe. It allows for the speech to be structured so it becomes fluent and highlights your points more concisely.

3. Engage your audience

Add humor to the speech to captivate your audience with a few laughs to enhance the vibe of the event. Not sure what to add? Why not take a moment to ask a close friend or relative of some funny moments they have experienced with the birthday person. If the stories are not suitable or non existent, then consider looking up some great one liners and add them into your speech to lighten the mood.

Your aim is to ensure the audience is actively engaged in your speech by focusing on the qualities of the birthday person which they can relate to. Bringing up memorable stories which highlight great times or milestones helps to resonate qualities of the birthday person and Incorporating a story or two can also make a point of enhancing the qualities which resonates what that person is really about.

4. Show sincerity

Towards the end of the speech, mention a few kind words to show them that you care. Thank everyone for coming, especially those who helped out in organising the event.

5. Keep it short

When people are at a party, they tend to have a short attention span and that’s if they haven’t had a drink yet. A speech which is between 2-5 minutes long is more than sufficient. By keeping it short, deep and meaningful, you can be sure to have your audience’s attention.

How to give a birthday speech – From friend to guest of honor

Here are a few examples of free birthday speeches for your next occasion:

Birthday speech example 1 – Thank you speech

Firstly I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate this milestone with me. I am not one to come out and say a speech, this is actually the first for me. Normally I would shy off, though I feel today is a time where it must be done.

The reason why you are all here is that in one way or another, you have been apart of my life and moulded me to the person I am today. I would truly like to thank you all for that.

I would like to thank both my mom and dad for not only putting up with me but being there when it counted and making me who I am. Thank you! Also to those who I have grown up with and have helped me over the years, you know who you are… I can say that I am truly blessed to have you all in my life!

Last but not least, I need to say thank you to everyone who has helped to set up and make today happen. Now that’s enough of me saying thank you. I hope everyone enjoys themselves. Lets all have a drink and have a great time.

Birthday speech example 2 – Thank you speech

I want to take a moment to say thank you for everyone who has come down to come celebrate this birthday with me. It means a lot that you have all taken the time and I must say that I am blessed to have each and every one of you in my life. Thank you

Birthday speech example 3 – Thank you speech

A birthday is very important to a child. The cake, the candles and gifts are something which they which they look forward to weeks on end. As we get older, we begin to realize that more important than materialistic things are the things we celebrate to those who are most closest to us. I would like to say thank you for not only your best wishes and lovely gifts but for being here and making it the night that it is. Thank you.

Birthday speech example 4 – Coming of age and gratitude

I have to say that I am not one to perform any birthday speeches though with the amount of work which was put into making this night and the sheer turnout of people, I simply could not live with myself if I didn’t at least say a few words.

I would like to give a big shout out to all people involved it the planning of this special day of mine. As you all can see, a lot of time and effort has been spent to make this venue look beautiful and I am truly appreciative. Thank you.

For all of you who made the effort to come down here and celebrate this milestone of mine. I could not be happier as all of you in one way, shape, or form have shaped me to be the person I am today and for that I am eternally grateful. Through good times and bad, through sickness and in health, I have been supported and guided every step of the way and that has only reassured to me what really matters in life.

I have been quick to learn that all the flashy and shiny things in life slowly begin to fade, though the one thing that continues to shine in my world is the true connections and relationships I have formed with my family and friends.

So enough about all this sentimental nonsense. It’s time to put the music back on and get everyone back on this dance floor. Thank you all for coming and I hope you enjoy the night. Thank you!

Birthday speech example 5 – Coming of age

So whilst I am up here talking about this amazing day today we are celebrating, I have to say all the beautiful memories don’t I? Wrong. All I remember is the most embarrassing moments because I laughed so hard my glasses fell off my head, then I wasn’t too happy because I had to buy new ones.

So where do I start, my memory isn’t the best the older I get, that’s why my wife makes me do a crossword puzzle a day. Little does she know that I cheat from the answers on the bottom of the cross word page Ha-Ha. So as I get older and reflect, I would have to say best moments through out my life would have to be drawn to three main beautiful ones.

First would be marrying this beautiful lady I call my cook… I mean wife Ha-Ha.

Second would be becoming a father to these beautiful children standing in front of me, I am blessed to have the opportunity to raise these amazing children of mine and have never been more proud.

And thirdly, to the many people here today celebrating my birthday. I would not be the person standing here before you if it weren’t for each and everyone of you shaping me to who I am today.

I felt like writing this speech took me few minutes though I was told I was writing for most of the bloody day! Ha-Ha.

Thank you everyone for coming here today and celebrating this unforgettable night with me celebrating another year younger.

Birthday speech example 6 – For partner

Let’s face the truth. Some of us are not the best when it comes to remembering birthdays, but there is no way I could forget the birthday for the one I love. We are all here today to celebrate because (Name) has touched our lives in one way or another.

Today I want to openly say how much they mean to me. This is their birthday, and birthdays are supposed to be days which stand out in life. So (Name), I want to say thank you for being so caring over the years and making me so proud to be your partner.

Birthday speech example 7 – Birthday speech for husband

To the superman in my life. Happy birthday! Words are unable to express the amount of love I have for you. For anyone who knows you, knows how much of a kind hearted and bubbly character you are. Your generosity and strong nature are unlike no other I have ever met.

From when you came over to me over 20 years ago to ask me for my number, to building a strong relationship, falling in love, creating an incredible family, and now celebrating this milestone of yours today. It seems like a fairytale dream where I need to pinch myself every so often to believe that it is all true.

To all of you that have made the time to make it here tonight, thank you all for coming. Only people who were important to his life are here and it’s amazing how many people are actually here tonight.

Now back to my loving husband, on your birthday tonight, I want you to enjoy it without a care in the world, because a man like you deserves to be spoilt once in awhile. Happy birthday my love, may you continue to live with passion.

Birthday speech example 8 -Birthday speech for wife

To one of the most sexiest, beautiful, most amazing person apart from myself… Ha-Ha! To my incredible wife. I am unable to express how surreal it feels to have fallen in love and married such a beautiful soul. Never would I ever have thought i’d be so lucky to have such an angel like you in my life. Your smile, your character, your loving nature are just the tip of the iceberg of the many things you possess.

For all who are lucky enough to know her, understand that she is one who would do more for others than she would for herself. A quality which i’m sure we all agree is very rare these days. She always looks to see the positive in life, no matter how dark and gloomy things may be, something which she has allowed for me to adopt which has changed my life dramatically for the better, and i’m sure many others who are also here tonight.

To those who made the effort to come here today and celebrate this beautiful day today, thank you. You have made this day memorable and something i’m sure my wife will never forget. Now the party is still not over, so all of you grab a glass of champagne, and let’s party on well into the night as we celebrate this girls beautiful birthday.

Birthday speech example 9 – From mother to child

From changing your nappies to feeding you every time you cry, to making your favorite food which was always apple pie. The memories I have shared with you while growing up by your side, it was well worth the struggles and bumpy rides.

I look at you know and can’t stop smiling, for a beautiful grown boy/girl that you have become, no matter what you will always be my baby boy/girl, happy birthday and may this be another memory you will never forget like they first day we met. When you were born on this special day.

Birthday speech example 10 – 1 st birthday speech from mother

Even though your only one and you’re probably staring at me thinking what it this lady doing, my feeding time is soon. I am going to say this speech in front of all the family friends that are gathered here today to celebrate my child’s 1st birthday, where the fun times just keep getting better and better.

I remember the first day that I felt so sick and then after that my pants wouldn’t fit. I started eating everything in sight and my pantry would always start full and now and by night there was nothing left to right. After that I couldn’t sleep and I would become a grump in the morning which was nothing of the unusual Ha-Ha.

Then my feet started to swell jeez now I can’t find shoes that will fit well. So after all that complaining and whining, the day came where you were brought into this world. Your father had fainted, which was nothing unusual and all I cared about was that you were finally out!

Now, as we celebrate your 1st birthday, you don’t understand anything right now, but when you do I’ll be saying another speech like this to embarrass you. More for the loving mother that I am to make sure you never forget something so important like this day.

Birthday speech example 11 – From father to son

I guess I will start with most that I know and the beautiful things I remember. I was the happiest man when I found out you were a boy, I was filled with joy! Everyday I would buy my little man a different toy, but there was a problem. Instead of playing with them, I would find you out in the garden. Eating dirt, mud, insects and even snails. You weren’t very good at hiding your muddy trails. How sweet and cute that was.

Then you would complain of feeling sick. Sometimes you were so difficult, just like trying to use a chopstick. You would always cry when I tried to feed you, and you loved to pee on me when I tried to change you. You were a sneaky little bugger and you loved to touch. I even remember having to pull you away from someone’s crotch. These are the beautiful memories that I remember.

Though enough with me embarrassing you with these funny times, this is you birthday so let it be filled with great times. So happy birthday to my great son, never forget that you are my number one!

Birthday speech example 12 – From friend

On this milestone that you have achieved, what an honor it is to be sharing this celebration with you. As we all know, this person has been determined since they were little, to strive and be the best they can, no matter what the circumstances were.

As (Insert name) continued to grow and mature, they created beautiful memories by making each moment count and radiating the love filled passions to each one that they came across. Im sure we can all say that we are eternally grateful that you have came into our lives and that you never lose your zest for life as you grow up into adulthood.

We all love you dearly and wish you nothing but the absolute best as that is what you truly deserve. Happy birthday!

Birthday speech example 13 – 21st Funny birthday speech from friend

Can I have your attention. We are all here today to realise something special. Something so worthwhile to celebrate. Something fun, enjoyable and memorable. We have come here together to recognise and share in the joy this moment brings. I am talking about the open bar! Ha-Ha!

On a more serious note, I would like to draw your attention to one of my best of friends whose 21st birthday we are celebrating here tonight. I have known (Insert name) for more than 10 years and during that time, we have had many moments of fun, adventure and as many of you may know, mischief. Whenever together, we always seemed to find a way to get ourselves into trouble.

Just like the time we decided to play a trick on his mom by colouring in his younger brothers face an interesting shade of green. We took the time to make it look realistic and ensured it was with a permanent marker so it couldn’t be easily rubbed off. I remember the look on his mom’s face as she freaked out and rushed the brother to the hospital. After the doctor giving it the once over and explaining to his mom the cause of the problem. I remember her glaring at us in a trance like state. Lets just say I had never seen someones face go that red before. We both found it to be funny at the time though I don’t think he saw the light of day for at least a month after that incident. Ha-Ha

Anyone who knows him, knows that he will go out of his way to ensure everyone is having a laugh. Even at his own expense, he wants to ensure everyone is having a great time.

He has taken on many challenges, and succeeded many times. Not by chance, but by perseverance and heart. Anyone who knows (Insert name), knows he is full of heart.

So on this milestone may you continue to strive for all that you want and just wanted to let you know that I am grateful to have such a great friend like you. Happy Birthday.

Birthday speech example 14 – 21st birthday speech

Yay! Im finally legal! Wow, this has been a long time coming for me, I mean now i can have a drink… Legally! Ha-Ha! Mum doesn’t seem to impressed!

Firstly I’d like to give a massive shout out to my parents, for not only raising such an awesome child, Ha-Ha! But also for making me who I am, and making this beautiful day happen. To my beautiful family members who cooked up all this beautiful food and helped to decorate this place, thank you so much, it looks absolutely beautiful.

To my wacky and crazy friends. You are all a bad influence on me and I thank you for that. Don’t worry mum, i’m only joking… It’s more like the other way around… Ha-Ha! As I get older, I begin to appreciate the significance of true family and friends in one’s life. I have to say that I couldn’t consider myself any luckier to have all of you in my life.

So anyway, let’s get out the champagne and celebrate my 21st birthday!

Birthday speech example 15 – 40th birthday speech

I can’t believe my 30’s have left me… I think it’s about time I started acting more serious and more so, my age… Well, maybe after tonight…

I remember when I was much younger, I would look at someone who was 40 and say to myself, that’s an old person. Now that I have turned the big 4-0! I now realise it was just an old person who was trying to figure out where the hell all the time went! Ha-Ha! I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Well I Know it’s definitely true for me. I’ll tell you why.

Firstly I have an amazing wife who is nothing but a bundle of joy to be around, and is able to always find a way to put a smile on my face.

Secondly I have been blessed with two beautiful boys who are an absolute pain in my ass, Ha-Ha! Though I do love so dearly! Apart from my gorgeous wife, I never thought I would love these boys so much, as much as I do. It must be because they remind me so much of me when I was growing up… Ha-Ha!

And thirdly… To all of you beautiful people standing here before me today. How can I not enjoy having each and every one of you in my life. I mean how lucky can a man get to have such funny, supportive and caring friends. Blessed is the word I use to describe having all of you be apart of my journey through life. Thank you all for being here today. Its is honestly an honour to celebrate this day with all of you here tonight.

Anyway, enough with all this sentimental crap, let’s pump the music back up, all grab a drink and at least let me celebrate being 39 one more time! Ha-Ha! Thank you!

Birthday speech example 16 – 50th birthday speech

Wow, how time flies! It’s only yesterday I can remember starting my first job at McDonalds where I met my best friend. And now I have a glass of champagne in my hand, celebrating my 50th birthday in front of all of you amazing people.

Where do I start? Firstly I need to give a massive shout out to my beautiful wife who made tonight happen. To not only organise all of this, but also keep it a secret from me which I am blown away how much effort she put in. The amount of detail she has put into this venue is incredible. Such an amazing woman, and I mean look at her, even after all these years, she is still a stunner!

To my two boys, I am proud of both of you and must say you are both still a pain in my ass. Must be because you remind me of when I was a kid growing up. Ha-Ha, they do say that karma eventually comes around. I can now understand what I put my parents through when I was growing up! But jokes aside they a great boys and couldn’t wish for any better.

Obviously I need to give a shout out to mum and dad for putting up with me over my younger years. Considering i’m sure many of you agree, I was no angel growing up. I like to think I turned out alright. Ha-Ha! Though I do have to say they were always there for support and was truly blessed to have incredible parents. I love you both.

To all my close family and friends here tonight. Thank you all for coming and most importantly, thank you for being apart of my life. All of you, in one way or another have been apart of my incredible journey of being 50 years on this earth and I wouldn’t want it any way.

So everybody grab a drink and let’s turn this music up, because i’m pretty sure you will all agree that after all these years and crazy memories, who would have known I would have made it this far. Ha-Ha! Thank you all for coming and hope you enjoy your night. Thank you!

Birthday speech example 17 – From daughter to fathers 50th birthday speech

For those of you whose memories are fading or may have had a little too much to drink tonight, we are here to celebrate the birthday of my dad. Fifty years ago today, the world was given a great gift. A gift by the name of (Insert name). The first of three children, my father was and still is, a very funny and generous man. Throughout the years, he has told many of us his overly simplistic, corny jokes which keeps us all laughing to this day. Just earlier he told me a joke and had me giggling like a little girl again. He said “What do you call a cheese that’s not yours? Nacho Cheese!”. I know, corny right? But it still does the job.

I suppose the main reason why we all have a little laugh and look forward to his humor is that he always likes to remind us that life is not meant to be taken too seriously and that laughter helps to keep us grounded. To this day, I have incorporated this philosophy into my life and I am sure all of us look forward to the energy and humor that he gives us.

Married to his high school sweetheart for 28 years, and with two pretty awesome kids, Ha-Ha. Sorry but I had to add that in. He has shown to be the best role model any family could ask for.

He has always been one to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and is not shy to have a casual drink when in good company.

On this birthday, may you enjoy your night and continue to pass on your energy and happiness for many more years to come. Happy birthday dad!

Birthday speech example 18 – 60th birthday speech

I can’t believe that as I stand here before you, I have been on this earth for 60 years. Seems like a long time, though for me, it feels like only yesterday I was celebrating my 21st birthday. I ought to cut out drinking or before I know it, i’ll be 100 soon. Ha-Ha!

For me, I have experienced both the joys and miseries of life and through it all, I have been able to take one thing from it. Regardless of life’s ups and downs, its all about making the most out of each situation and being present in the moment. Because as I get older, I begin to appreciate all of the moments life has to offer and the truth of the matter is that nothing is owed to us. For every day we wake up is a blessing. And as I am now 60 years old and CONSIDERED wise… Ha-Ha! I feel that we should make the most of each passing day, and what better way with both family and loved ones.

Lucky for me, I have been extremely fortunate to have all of my nearest and dearest to me all here tonight and I have to say, I wouldn’t want to have tonight any other way. Although it may be the wine talking, I must say that I love each and everyone of you here tonight… Especially the caterer, the food served here has been delicious! Ha-Ha! Now let’s all embarrass ourselves by having a few more drinks and getting on the dance floor!

Birthday speech example 19 – From daughter to mother

Your loving touch is like no other, your smile is brightest of all. Your heart beats love and care, but sometimes truth be told you are unfair. You are the only best friend a daughter could ask for. The sacrifices you have made to make sure I have the right path of guidance. You are the best mother a daughter could ever have. Wishing you a happy birthday with many more fun filled ones to come.

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When you need to write 21st birthday wishes, keep in mind that turning 21 is a milestone, so your birthday message should be epic. Need ideas? Get inspired by 100+ original examples of 21st birthday greetings on this page.

By Kevin Nishmas Updated: January 23, 2024

Quick Links

Get started here. To celebrate this important rite of passage in somebody's life, simply jump to the section of 21st birthday messages that you need as inspiration today. 

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Hints & Tips

How do you write 21st birthday wishes.

What makes a birthday greeting milestone worthy? For a 21-year-old birthday girl or boy, this means that you need to write 21st birthday wishes that bring a sense of pride, inspiration, confidence, comfort and joy to him or her. "Drinking" jokes won't cut it.

At the age of 21, it's quite hard to navigate the world of young adulthood. A sense of pride, inspiration, confidence, comfort and joy could make all the difference. Accordingly, write 21st birthday wishes that can do it all. 

When someone turns 21, they legally become an adult in many countries, with the legal right, for example, to buy and drink alcohol, gamble, vote, even rent a car. 

At 21, many boys and girls also have the money and desire to indulge in these activities. This can make hitting 21 a mixed blessing for them, especially if they indulge a little too much. 

This mixed blessing, though, is what makes this milestone terrific fodder for funny or serious 21st birthday wishes.

Accordingly, 21st birthday wishes can be funny or serious, but they should never be dull, unoriginal or predictable.

Which route should you take? It depends... 

If the birthday boy or girl can take a joke, send 21st birthday wishes that poke fun at them (about, say, now picking up the bar tab or losing constantly at the casino tables).

When you go the "funny" route, write 21st birthday wishes with a light-hearted tone. Nobody likes mean-spirited insults cloaked in jokes (in other words, the old "truth in jest" route).

Insults are just offensive, and you don't want to be offensive. You want to be funny with your 21st birthday wishes.

If the recipient of your birthday greeting is the serious type, the "birthday message" playing field opens up quite a bit.

You can write 21st birthday wishes that are clever, cool, inspirational or sentimental in tone.

You could simply encourage the birthday boy or girl to grow up, if you think he or she lacks the maturity of a typical 21 year old.

You could also write 21 birthday wishes with the opposite slant: a message that congratulates him or her about their mature, responsible attitude. 

You can even opt for 21st birthday wishes that welcome the birthday boy or girl to young adulthood.

Don't know what advice to give in your 21st birthday wishes? Take a look at the advice Cosmopolitan has for 21 year olds right now!

Whether you take the funny or serious route, be sure to write positive 21st birthday wishes that you yourself would like (or would have liked) to receive at 21. 

Message Guy Creator of this site

Kevin, the "Message Guy" who writes the birthday wishes, quotes, poems, toasts and speeches on BirthdayMessages.net, has been a content writer since 1993. In 2012, Kevin created this site to share the incredible power of words with birthday well-wishers everywhere.

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75 Amazing 21st Birthday Messages for Your Daughter

Here is a list of 75 amazing 21st birthday messages for your daughter on her milestone birthday.

#1 To my daughter: I am so proud of all of your hard work, your generous spirit, and your positive attitude. I just know you will do big things in this world. Happy 21st birthday.

#2 Wishing my daughter the best 21st birthday ever. From the day you were born, you have made my world a better place. I could never have imagined I would be so lucky as a parent. Thank you for all you have given to me these past 21 years. You have all of my love.

#3 Happy 21st birthday, Daughter! You are the center of my world and the light that fills up every single day. Thank you for being wonderful, beautiful you.

#4 May our sweet daughter have the greatest 21st birthday ever! What a light you are in our lives. We could never have asked for or imagined a better you. Our hope for you is that you continue to be true to yourself and be grounded in who you are. This world is already a better place because you are in it. We look forward to seeing you shine ever more brightly in the coming years.

#5 Happy 21st birthday, to our amazing daughter. Thank you so much for being you. We have been truly honored to watch you grow and become a light to everyone who knows you. Let your light continue to shine brightly as you make your path in this world. We love you so much.

#6 Happy 21st birthday, to the daughter who makes the sun shine with her laughter. You make our world complete.

#7 21 years ago, a very special daughter was born to us. You have left your footprints on our souls, and for that, we are forever grateful to you. We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and are thankful we are your parents. Happy birthday!

#8 Daughter, for 21 years we have had the great joy of watching you grow up to become a wonderful, caring, and intelligent young woman. We are so proud of who you have become and we are looking forward to watching the wonderful things you will do in your life. Near or far, we will always be here for you and love you more than life itself. Happy birthday.

#9 I am so appreciative to have such a one-of-a-kind daughter. On your 21st birthday, I hope that you receive all that life has to offer to someone as thoughtful as you are. You’re a shining light in the lives of everyone who is lucky enough to know you. Happy birthday!

#10 Happy 21st birthday, to the smartest, silliest, most clever daughter I could ever hope for. Every day, you make my life complete. I love you to the moon and back.

#11 Happiest of birthdays to an exceptionally spectacular daughter. Now that you are 21, you are a young adult and continue to be an example to all. Never change. You are simply magnetic.

#12 Happy 21st birthday, to a very special daughter. Every day watching you grow up has been the great joy in our lives and we are so proud of you. Once upon a time, you needed us so much, and now you are a grown woman. We hope we can continue to be there for you through the highs and lows that life will bring you. You are our everything. We love you eternally and unconditionally.

#13 To an exceptional daughter on her 21st birthday, congratulations! Your big day is here, and no one is more deserving of such a fantastic occasion than you. You’re the most down-to-earth and compassionate person I know and I’m so thankful for that. Have a spectacular time and please please be careful out there! Happy birthday!

#14 Congratulations on turning 21, my treasured daughter. Every parent ever wishes for a daughter just like you. You are so cherished and loved. Happy birthday, I hope that you have a day that is just as extraordinary as you are.

#15 Sending my best wishes to an outstanding daughter on her 21st birthday. You have always been so dedicated, courageous and brave. It is a privilege to watch you grow up to become such an impressive young woman. Enjoy your day. You deserve it!

#16 Loving wishes on your 21st birthday, daughter. You are admired and loved by so many people because you are absolutely extraordinary. I hope today brings you happiness and that you make fabulous and unforgettable memories.

#17 Happy birthday to my cherished daughter! On your 21st birthday, I hope that you realize just how outstanding and phenomenal you are as a human being. I will never stop being proud of being your parent. You are simply sensational.

#18 Happy 21st birthday to my intelligent, remarkable and precious daughter. Words cannot hope to describe how proud I am of you today and every single day that you have been a part of my life. You are truly a gift. I will love you forever, and then one day more.

#19 On your 21st birthday we want you to know that every day with you has been a gift. You brightened up our lives from the day you arrived. Happy birthday, daughter.

#20 Daughter, watching you grow up has been an amazing experience that I would never change. Have a truly fantastic 21st birthday. I hope that all of your wishes and dreams come true. You are so precious and treasured by everyone around you, especially today!

#21 Today is your special day! Happy 21st birthday to my daughter. You have worked so hard and grown into such a wonderful young woman. The world holds great things for you.

#22 Happy 21st birthday to my daughter. The day you came into my life, you taught me what true love and happiness really are. I would not be me without you. I love you so deeply and unconditionally.

#23 We are so happy to celebrate our wonderful daughter on your 21st birthday. Every day you impress us with your passion for life, your intelligence, and your spirit. Happy birthday!

#24 To my amazing daughter on your 21st birthday. Thank you for 21 years as your parent. You are the greatest gift I could ever receive. Happy birthday!

#25 Happy 21st birthday, to the daughter who always puts others above herself, works hard and loves life. We are so grateful to be your parents.

#26 Every year, we celebrate the birth of the daughter who made our family complete. Happy 21st birthday to the world’s greatest daughter.

#27 Happy 21st birthday, to a truly unique daughter. You bring so much creativity, passion, and beauty into the world and I’m so proud of you.

#28 Today our wonderful daughter turns 21. Time flies, especially when we have an incredible daughter who makes every day such a gift. We love you so much. Happy Birthday!

#29 Wishing the happiest 21st birthday to my beautiful daughter. Every day, you teach us something new, and we’re so proud of who you’ve become.

#30 Daughter, you’ve come such a long way, and today you’re 21. We are so proud of all your accomplishments and hard work and wish you the happiest birthday ever.

#31 Happy 21st birthday to my daughter and best friend. You bring so much love and light into the world, and it’s a gift being able to watch you grow. I hope you know what an absolute treasure you are. Stay true to you, my dear. You are simply extraordinary.

#32 These past 21 years as your parents have been a joy and an honor. May your birthday be as sweet and wonderful as you. Happy birthday, our pride and joy!

#33 Daughter, today as you celebrate your 21st birthday, I wish you a day filled with laughter and joy. Happy Birthday!

#34 To our precious daughter on her 21st birthday. We love you so much and are so amazed and proud of the kind, wonderful, caring young woman you’ve become. Happy birthday!

#35 I hope your 21st birthday is just as exceptional as you are. I could not be more thankful for having such a considerate, kind and compassionate daughter. I am so happy that you are blossoming into who you were always meant to become. Happy birthday!

#36 Every day, I am grateful to see the thoughtful, responsible, caring young woman you’ve become. I am so thankful to be your parent and so proud of you. Happy 21st birthday!

#37 To my brilliant and beautiful daughter on her 21st birthday. You are a rare and wonderful soul who makes the world a better place. Continue to be strong and fearless in whatever you do and wherever you go. And when you need rest, come back home to us. We will always be waiting with open arms. Happy birthday, our love.

#38 On this special birthday, our daughter turns 21. It has been such a joy to watch you grow into the woman you’ve become. Happy birthday!

#39 Happy 21st birthday to the most special young woman in our world. It is an honor to call you our daughter.

#40 Wishing you eternal happiness and divine love on your 21st birthday. You are the greatest daughter we could ever ask for. We will love you forever, plus one day. Happy birthday!

The Most Famous Quotes to Include with Your Birthday Message to Your Daughter

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” Ayn Rand

“And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.” Mark Anthony

“I know my worth. I embrace my power. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story. I will.” Amy Schumer

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things, and crushes down remorselessly all that stand in its path.” Agatha Christie

“Absolutely, I don’t believe in rules. As I tell my daughter when she is mischievous, ‘Well-behaved women rarely make history.’” Nia Vardalos

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you can never see the shadow.” Helen Keller

“I’ve never had a moment’s doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.” Ian McEwan

“Children and mothers never truly part, bound in the beating of each other’s heart.” Charlotte Gray

“Do not forget to tell your daughters God made them beautiful.” Habeeb Akande

“Remember that you are the ocean. And no one, not even the moon itself is allowed to control your glorious, beautiful tides.” Nikita Gill

“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what little girls are made of.” Bethany Hamilton

“Daughter are angels sent from above to fill our heart with unending love.” J. Lee

“To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don’t worry about darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest.” Napoleon Hill

“Daughter, there are not enough words to tell you how much I love you!” Catherine Pulsifer

“A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous…full of beauty and forever beautiful…loving and caring and truly amazing.” Deanna Beisser

“A mother teaches her daughter how to feel about herself, about handling pressure, about relishing life’s joys and conquering fears.” Melissa Harrison

“Having a little girl has been like following an old treasure map with the important paths torn away.” Heather Gudenkauf

“Being a daddy’s girl is like having permanent armor for the rest of your life.” Marinela Reka

“Every day is Father’s Day to me when I’m with her: when I’ll be able to hold my daughter and see her grow and see her smile. That’s Father’s Day to me every day.” Saquon Barkley

“As they get older, our daughters become more and more like us too.” Amy Newmark

“I never thought I would say this but raising a daughter is different than raising a son. But the one thing that is not different is my love for each of them.” Catherine Pulsifer

“A mother who radiates self-love and self-acceptance actually vaccinates her daughter against low self-esteem.” Naomi Wolf

“Are we not like the two volumes of one book?” Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

“Fathers, be good to your daughters. You are the god and the weight of her world.” John Mayor

“Today I will do what others won’t so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.” Jerry Rice

“From a little girl so very small, how and when did you get so tall?” Karen Mortensen

“A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give.” Laurel Atherton

“Everywhere, we learn only from those we love.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“A daughter is a treasure and a cause of sleeplessness.” Ben Sirach

“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A mother’s treasure is her daughter.” Catherine Pulsifer

“Every moment I have had with my daughter is precious.” Cathy Shaffer

“Good daughters make good mothers.” Abigail G. Whittlesey

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.” William Shakespeare

“I find as I grow older that I love those most whom I loved first.” Thomas Jefferson

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• fatal shooting

Investigation underway after 2 fatally shot at 21st birthday party in E. Harris County, HCSO says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The Harris County Sheriff's Office is searching for who is responsible for a shooting at a party that left two people dead early Saturday.

Law enforcement was dispatched to the 11000 block of Muscatine to a house party near Holland and the East Freeway.

Preliminary information said that at least 50 people and a live band attended a 21st birthday party.

Officials said at one point, someone pulled out a gun and fired it, striking two people. Those victims were transported to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Authorities did not elaborate on what led up to the shooting or how many suspects there were.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said there were reports of a potential third victim, but law enforcement is still trying to piece together exactly what happened.

At this time, no one has been detained by authorities.

Gonzalez said they are not sure of the involvement of the two victims and are trying to make a connection.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

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Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem

The former republican national committee chairwoman was hired by nbc and then let go after an outcry..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Today, the saga of Ronna McDaniel and NBC and what it reveals about the state of television news headed into the 2024 presidential race. Jim Rutenberg, a “Times” writer at large, is our guest.

It’s Monday, April 1.

Jim, NBC News just went through a very public, a very searing drama over the past week, that we wanted you to make sense of in your unique capacity as a longtime media and political reporter at “The Times.” This is your sweet spot. You were, I believe, born to dissect this story for us.

Oh, brother.

Well, on the one hand, this is a very small moment for a major network like NBC. They hire, as a contributor, not an anchor, not a correspondent, as a contributor, Ronna McDaniel, the former RNC chairwoman. It blows up in a mini scandal at the network.

But to me, it represents a much larger issue that’s been there since that moment Donald J. Trump took his shiny gold escalator down to announce his presidential run in 2015. This struggle by the news media to figure out, especially on television, how do we capture him, cover him for all of his lies, all the challenges he poses to Democratic norms, yet not alienate some 74, 75 million American voters who still follow him, still believe in him, and still want to hear his reality reflected in the news that they’re listening to?

Right. Which is about as gnarly a conundrum as anyone has ever dealt with in the news media.

Well, it’s proven so far unsolvable.

Well, let’s use the story of what actually happened with Ronna McDaniel and NBC to illustrate your point. And I think that means describing precisely what happened in this situation.

The story starts out so simply. It’s such a basic thing that television networks do. As elections get underway, they want people who will reflect the two parties.

They want talking heads. They want insiders. They want them on their payroll so they can rely on them whenever they need them. And they want them to be high level so they can speak with great knowledge about the two major candidates.

Right. And rather than needing to beg these people to come on their show at 6 o’clock, when they might be busy and it’s not their full-time job, they go off and they basically put them on retainer for a bunch of money.

Yeah. And in this case, here’s this perfect scenario because quite recently, Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee through the Trump era, most of it, is now out on the market. She’s actually recently been forced out of the party. And all the networks are interested because here’s the consummate insider from Trump world ready to get snatched up under contract for the next election and can really represent this movement that they’ve been trying to capture.

So NBC’S key news executives move pretty aggressively, pretty swiftly, and they sign her up for a $300,000 a year contributor’s contract.

Nice money if you can get it.

Not at millions of dollars that they pay their anchors, but a very nice contract. I’ll take it. You’ll take it. In the eyes of NBC execs she was perfect because she can be on “Meet the Press” as a panelist. She can help as they figure out some of their coverage. They have 24 hours a day to fill and here’s an official from the RNC. You can almost imagine the question that would be asked to her. It’s 10:00 PM on election night. Ronna, what are the Trump people thinking right now? They’re looking at the same numbers you are.

That was good, but that’s exactly it. And we all know it, right? This is television in our current era.

So last Friday, NBC makes what should be a routine announcement, but one they’re very proud of, that they’ve hired Ronna McDaniel. And in a statement, they say it couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team. So all’s good, right? Except for there’s a fly in the ointment.

Because it turns out that Ronna McDaniel has been slated to appear on “Meet the Press,” not as a paid NBC contributor, but as a former recently ousted RNC chair with the “Meet The Press” host, Kristen Welker, who’s preparing to have a real tough interview with Ronna McDaniel. Because of course, Ronna McDaniel was chair of the party and at Trump’s side as he tried to refuse his election loss. So this was supposed to be a showdown interview.

From NBC News in Washington, the longest-running show in television history. This is “Meet The Press” with Kristen Welker.

And here, all of a sudden, Kristin Welker is thrown for a loop.

In full disclosure to our viewers, this interview was scheduled weeks before it was announced that McDaniel would become a paid NBC News contributor.

Because now, she’s actually interviewing a member of the family who’s on the same payroll.

Right. Suddenly, she’s interviewing a colleague.

This will be a news interview, and I was not involved in her hiring.

So what happens during the interview?

So Welker is prepared for a tough interview, and that’s exactly what she does.

Can you say, as you sit here today, did Joe Biden win the election fair and square?

He won. He’s the legitimate president.

Did he win fair and square?

Fair and square, he won. It’s certified. It’s done.

She presses her on the key question that a lot of Republicans get asked these days — do you accept Joe Biden was the winner of the election?

But, I do think, Kristen —

Ronna, why has it taken you until now to say that? Why has it taken you until now to be able to say that?

I’m going to push back a little.

McDaniel gets defensive at times.

Because I do think it’s fair to say there were problems in 2020. And to say that does not mean he’s not the legitimate president.

But, Ronna, when you say that, it suggests that there was something wrong with the election. And you know that the election was the most heavily scrutinized. Chris Krebs —

It’s a really combative interview.

I want to turn now to your actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

And Welker actually really does go deeply into McDaniel’s record in those weeks before January 6.

On November 17, you and Donald Trump were recorded pushing two Republican Michigan election officials not to certify the results of the election. And on the call —

For instance, she presses McDaniel on McDaniel’s role in an attempt to convince a couple county commissioner level canvassers in Michigan to not certify Biden’s victory.

Our call that night was to say, are you OK? Vote your conscience. Not pushing them to do anything.

McDaniel says, look, I was just telling them to vote their conscience. They should do whatever they think is right.

But you said, do not sign it. If you can go home tonight, do not sign it. How can people read that as anything other than a pressure campaign?

And Welker’s not going to just let her off the hook. Welker presses her on Trump’s own comments about January 6 and Trump’s efforts recently to gloss over some of the violence, and to say that those who have been arrested, he’ll free them.

Do you support that?

I want to be very clear. The violence that happened on January 6 is unacceptable.

And this is a frankly fascinating moment because you can hear McDaniel starting to, if not quite reverse some of her positions, though in some cases she does that, at least really soften her language. It’s almost as if she’s switching uniforms from the RNC one to an NBC one or almost like breaking from a role she was playing.

Ronna, why not speak out earlier? Why just speak out about that now?

When you’re the RNC chair, you kind of take one for the whole team, right? Now, I get to be a little bit more myself.

She says, hey, you know what? Sometimes as RNC chair, you just have to take it for the team sometimes.

Right. What she’s really saying is I did things as chairwoman of the Republican National committee that now that I no longer have that job, I can candidly say, I wished I hadn’t done, which is very honest. But it’s also another way of saying I’m two faced, or I was playing a part.

Ronna McDaniel, thank you very much for being here this morning.

Then something extraordinary happens. And I have to say, I’ve never seen a moment like this in decades of watching television news and covering television news.

Welcome back. The panel is here. Chuck Todd, NBC News chief political analyst.

Welker brings her regular panel on, including Chuck Todd, now the senior NBC political analyst.

Chuck, let’s dive right in. What were your takeaways?

And he launches right into what he calls —

Look, let me deal with the elephant in the room.

The elephant being this hiring of McDaniel.

I think our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation.

And he proceeds, on NBC’S air, to lace into management for, as he describes it, putting Welker in this crazy awkward position.

Because I don’t know what to believe. She is now a paid contributor by NBC News. I have no idea whether any answer she gave to you was because she didn’t want to mess up her contract.

And Todd is very hung up on this idea that when she was speaking for the party, she would say one thing. And now that she’s on the payroll at NBC, she’s saying another thing.

She has credibility issues that she still has to deal with. Is she speaking for herself, or is she speaking on behalf of who’s paying her?

Todd is basically saying, how are we supposed to know which one to believe.

What can we believe?

It is important for this network and for always to have a wide aperture. Having ideological diversity on this panel is something I prided myself on.

And what he’s effectively saying is that his bosses should have never hired her in this capacity.

I understand the motivation, but this execution, I think, was poor.

Someone said to me last night we live in complicated times. Thank you guys for being here. I really appreciate it.

Now, let’s just note here, this isn’t just any player at NBC. Chuck Todd is obviously a major news name at the network. And him doing this appears to just open the floodgates across the entire NBC News brand, especially on its sister cable network, MSNBC.

And where I said I’d never seen anything like what I saw on “Meet the Press” that morning, I’d never seen anything like this either. Because now, the entire MSNBC lineup is in open rebellion. I mean, from the minute that the sun comes up. There is Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

We weren’t asked our opinion of the hiring. But if we were, we would have strongly objected to it.

They’re on fire over this.

believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices, but it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier.

But it rolls out across the entire schedule.

Because Ronna McDaniel has been a major peddler of the big lie.

The fact that Ms. McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News, to me that is inexplicable. I mean, you wouldn’t hire a mobster to work at a DA’s office.

Rachel Maddow devotes an entire half hour.

It’s not about just being associated with Donald Trump and his time in the Republican Party. It’s not even about lying or not lying. It’s about our system of government.

Thumbing their noses at our bosses and basically accusing them of abetting a traitorous figure in American history. I mean, just extraordinary stuff. It’s television history.

And let’s face it, we journalists, our bosses, we can be seen as crybabies, and we’re paid complaining. Yeah, that’s what we’re paid to do. But in this case, the NBC executives cannot ignore this, because in the outcry, there’s a very clear point that they’re all making. Ronna McDaniel is not just a voice from the other side. She was a fundamental part of Trump’s efforts to deny his election loss.

This is not inviting the other side. This is someone who’s on the wrong side —

Of history.

Of history, of these moments that we’ve covered and are still covering.

And I think it’s fair to say that at this point, everyone understands that Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC News is going to be very short lived. Yeah, basically, after all this, the executives at NBC have to face facts it’s over. And on Tuesday night, they release a statement to the staff saying as much.

They don’t cite the questions about red lines or what Ronna McDaniel represented or didn’t represent. They just say we need to have a unified newsroom. We want cohesion. This isn’t working.

I think in the end, she was a paid contributor for four days.

Yeah, one of the shortest tenures in television news history. And look, in one respect, by their standards, this is kind of a pretty small contract, a few hundred thousand dollars they may have to pay out. But it was way more costly because they hired her. They brought her on board because they wanted to appeal to these tens of millions of Americans who still love Donald J. Trump.

And what happens now is that this entire thing is blown up in their face, and those very same people now see a network that, in their view, in the view of Republicans across the country, this network will not accept any Republicans. So it becomes more about that. And Fox News, NBC’S longtime rival, goes wall to wall with this.

Now, NBC News just caved to the breathless demands from their far left, frankly, emotionally unhinged host.

I mean, I had it on my desk all day. And every minute I looked at that screen, it was pounding on these liberals at NBC News driving this Republican out.

It’s the shortest tenure in TV history, I think. But why? Well, because she supports Donald Trump, period.

So in a way, this leaves NBC worse off with that Trump Republican audience they had wanted to court than maybe even they were before. It’s like a boomerang with a grenade on it.

Yeah, it completely explodes in their face. And that’s why to me, the whole episode is so representative of this eight-year conundrum for the news media, especially on television. They still haven’t been able to crack the code for how to handle the Trump movement, the Trump candidacy, and what it has wrought on the American political system and American journalism.

We’ll be right back.

Jim, put into context this painful episode of NBC into that larger conundrum you just diagnosed that the media has faced when it comes to Trump.

Well, Michael, it’s been there from the very beginning, from the very beginning of his political rise. The media was on this kind of seesaw. They go back and forth over how to cover him. Sometimes they want to cover him quite aggressively because he’s such a challenging candidate. He was bursting so many norms.

But at other times, there was this instinct to understand his appeal, for the same reason. He’s such an unusual candidate. So there was a great desire to really understand his voters. And frankly, to speak to his voters, because they’re part of the audience. And we all lived it, right?

But just let me take you back anyway because everything’s fresh again with perspective. And so if you go back, let’s look at when he first ran. The networks, if you recall, saw him as almost like a novelty candidate.

He was going to spice up what was expected to be a boring campaign between the usual suspects. And he was a ratings magnet. And the networks, they just couldn’t get enough of it. And they allowed him, at times, to really shatter their own norms.

Welcome back to “Meet the Press,” sir.

Good morning, Chuck.

Good morning. Let me start —

He was able to just call into the studio and riff with the likes of George Stephanopoulos and Chuck Todd.

What does it have to do with Hillary?

She can’t talk about me because nobody respects women more than Donald Trump.

And CNN gave him a lot of unmitigated airtime, if you recall during the campaign. They would run the press conferences.

It’s the largest winery on the East Coast. I own it 100 percent.

And let him promote his Trump steaks and his Trump wine.

Trump steaks. Where are the steaks? Do we have steaks?

I mean, it got that crazy. But again, the ratings were huge. And then he wins. And because they had previously given him all that airtime, they’ve, in retrospect, sort of given him a political gift, and more than that now have a journalistic imperative to really address him in a different way, to cover him as they would have covered any other candidate, which, let’s face it, they weren’t doing initially. So there’s this extra motivation to make up for lost ground and maybe for some journalistic omissions.

Right. Kind of correct for the lack of a rigorous journalistic filter in the campaign.

Exactly. And the big thing that this will be remembered for is we’re going to call a lie a lie.

I don’t want to sugarcoat this because facts matter, and the fact is President Trump lies.

Trump lies. We’re going to say it’s a lie.

And I think we can’t just mince around it because they are lies. And so we need to call them what they are.

We’re no longer going to use euphemisms or looser language we’re. Going to call it for what it is.

Trump lies in tweets. He spreads false information at rallies. He lies when he doesn’t need to. He lies when the truth is more than enough for him.

CNN was running chyrons. They would fact check Trump and call lies lies on the screen while Trump is talking. They were challenging Trump to his face —

One of the statements that you made in the tail end of the campaign in the midterms that —

Here we go.

That — well, if you don’t mind, Mr. President, that this caravan was an invasion.

— in these crazy press conferences —

They’re are hundreds of miles away, though. They’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That’s not an invasion.

Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings —

Well, let me ask — if I may ask one other question. Mr. President, if I may ask another question. Are you worried —

That’s enough. That’s enough.

And Trump is giving it right back.

I tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN.

Very combative.

So this was this incredibly fraught moment for the American press. You’ve got tens of millions of Trump supporters seeing what’s really basic fact checking. These look like attacks to Trump supporters. Trump, in turn, is calling the press, the reporters are enemies of the people. So it’s a terrible dynamic.

And when January 6 happens, it’s so obviously out of control. And what the traditional press that follows, traditional journalistic rules has to do is make it clear that the claims that Trump is making about a stolen election are just so abjectly false that they don’t warrant a single minute of real consideration once the reporting has been done to show how false they are. And I think that American journalism really emerged from that feeling strongly about its own values and its own place in society.

But then there’s still tens of millions of Trump voters, and they don’t feel so good about the coverage. And they don’t agree that January 6 was an insurrection. And so we enter yet another period, where the press is going to have to now maybe rethink some things.

In what way?

Well, there’s a kind of quiet period after January 6. Trump is off of social media. The smoke is literally dissipating from the air in Washington. And news executives are kind of standing there on the proverbial battlefield, taking a new look at their situation.

And they’re seeing that in this clearer light, they’ve got some new problems, perhaps none more important for their entire business models than that their ratings are quickly crashing. And part of that diminishment is that a huge part of the country, that Trump-loving part of the audience, is really now severed from him from their coverage.

They see the press as actually, in some cases, being complicit in stealing an election. And so these news executives, again, especially on television, which is so ratings dependent, they’ve got a problem. So after presumably learning all these lessons about journalism and how to confront power, there’s a first subtle and then much less subtle rethinking.

Maybe we need to pull back from that approach. And maybe we need to take some new lessons and switch it up a little bit and reverse some of what we did. And one of the best examples of this is none other than CNN.

It had come under new management, was being led by a guy named Chris Licht, a veteran of cable news, but also Stephen Colbert’s late night show in his last job. And his new job under this new management is we’re going to recalibrate a little bit. So Chris Licht proceeds to try to bring the network back to the center.

And how does he do that?

Well, we see some key personalities who represented the Trump combat era start losing air time and some of them lose their jobs. There’s talk of, we want more Republicans on the air. There was a famous magazine article about Chris Licht’s balancing act here.

And Chris Licht says to a reporter, Tim Alberta of the “Atlantic” magazine, look, a lot in the media, including at his own network, quote unquote, “put on a jersey, took a side.” They took a side. And he says, I think we understand that jersey cannot go back on him. Because he says in the end of the day, by the way, it didn’t even work. We didn’t change anyone’s mind.

He’s saying that confrontational approach that defined the four years Trump was in office, that was a reaction to the feeling that TV news had failed to properly treat Trump with sufficient skepticism, that that actually was a failure both of journalism and of the TV news business. Is that what he’s saying?

Yeah. On the business side, it’s easier call, right? You want a bigger audience, and you’re not getting the bigger audience. But he’s making a journalistic argument as well that if the job is to convey the truth and take it to the people, and they take that into account as they make their own voting decisions and formulate their own opinions about American politics, if tens of millions of people who do believe that election was stolen are completely tuning you out because now they see you as a political combatant, you’re not achieving your ultimate goal as a journalist.

And what does Licht’s “don’t put a jersey back on” approach look like on CNN for its viewers?

Well, It didn’t look good. People might remember this, but the most glaring example —

Please welcome, the front runner for the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump.

— was when he held a town hall meeting featuring Donald J. Trump, now candidate Trump, before an audience packed with Trump’s fans.

You look at what happened during that election. Unless you’re a very stupid person, you see what happens. A lot of the people —

Trump let loose a string of falsehoods.

Most people understand what happened. It was a rigged election.

The audience is pro-Trump audience, was cheering him on.

Are you ready? Are you ready? Can I talk?

Yeah, what’s your answer?

Can I? Do you mind?

I would like for you to answer the question.

OK. It’s very simple to answer.

That’s why I asked it.

It’s very simple. You’re a nasty person, I’ll tell you that.

And during, the CNN anchor hosting this, Kaitlan Collins, on CNN’s own air, it was a disaster.

It felt like a callback to the unlearned lessons of 2016.

Yeah. And in this case, CNN’s staff was up in arms.

Big shakeup in the cable news industry as CNN makes another change at the top.

Chris Licht is officially out at CNN after a chaotic run as chairman and CEO.

And Chris Licht didn’t survive it.

The chief executive’s departure comes as he faced criticism in recent weeks after the network hosted a town hall with Donald Trump and the network’s ratings started to drop.

But I want to say that the CNN leadership still, even after that, as they brought new leadership in, said, this is still the path we’re going to go on. Maybe that didn’t work out, but we’re still here. This is still what we have to do.

Right. And this idea is very much in the water of TV news, that this is the right overall direction.

Yeah. This is, by no means, isolated to CNN. This is throughout the traditional news business. These conversations are happening everywhere. But CNN was living it at that point.

And this, of course, is how we get to NBC deciding to hire Ronna McDaniel.

Right. Because they’re picking up — right where that conversation leaves off, they’re having the same conversation. But for NBC, you could argue this tension between journalistic values and audience. It’s even more pressing. Because even though MSNBC is a niche cable network, NBC News is part of an old-fashioned broadcast network. It’s on television stations throughout the country.

And in fact, those networks, they still have 6:30 newscasts. And believe it or not, millions of people still watch those every night. Maybe not as many as they used to, but there’s still some six or seven million people tuning in to nightly news. That’s important.

Right. We should say that kind of number is sometimes double or triple that of the cable news prime time shows that get all the attention.

On their best nights. So this is big business still. And that business is based on broad — it’s called broadcast for a reason. That’s based on broad audiences. So NBC had a business imperative, and they argue they had a journalistic imperative.

So given all of that, Jim, I think the big messy question here is, when it comes to NBC, did they make a tactical error around hiring the wrong Republican which blew up? Or did they make an even larger error in thinking that the way you handle Trump and his supporters is to work this hard to reach them, when they might not even be reachable?

The best way to answer that question is to tell you what they’re saying right now, NBC management. What the management saying is, yes, this was a tactical error. This was clearly the wrong Republican. We get it.

But they’re saying, we are going to — and they said this in their statement, announcing that they were severing ties with McDaniel. They said, we’re going to redouble our efforts to represent a broad spectrum of the American votership. And that’s what they meant was that we’re going to still try to reach these Trump voters with people who can relate to them and they can relate to.

But the question is, how do you even do that when so many of his supporters believe a lie? How is NBC, how is CNN, how are any of these TV networks, if they have decided that this is their mission, how are they supposed to speak to people who believe something fundamentally untrue as a core part of their political identity?

That’s the catch-22. How do you get that Trump movement person who’s also an insider, when the litmus test to be an insider in the Trump movement is to believe in the denialism or at least say you do? So that’s a real journalistic problem. And the thing that we haven’t really touched here is, what are these networks doing day in and day out?

They’re not producing reported pieces, which I think it’s a little easier. You just report the news. You go out into the world. You talk to people, and then you present it to the world as a nuanced portrait of the country. This thing is true. This thing is false. Again, in many cases, pretty straightforward. But their bread and butter is talking heads. It’s live. It’s not edited. It’s not that much reported.

So their whole business model especially, again, on cable, which has 24 hours to fill, is talking heads. And if you want the perspective from the Trump movement, journalistically, especially when it comes to denialism, but when it comes to some other major subjects in American life, you’re walking into a place where they’re going to say things that aren’t true, that don’t pass your journalistic standards, the most basic standards of journalism.

Right. So you’re saying if TV sticks with this model, the kind of low cost, lots of talk approach to news, then they are going to have to solve the riddle of who to bring on, who represents Trump’s America if they want that audience. And now they’ve got this red line that they’ve established, that that person can’t be someone who denies the 2020 election reality. But like you just said, that’s the litmus test for being in Trump’s orbit.

So this doesn’t really look like a conundrum. This looks like a bit of a crisis for TV news because it may end up meaning that they can’t hire that person that they need for this model, which means that perhaps a network like NBC does need to wave goodbye to a big segment of these viewers and these eyeballs who support Trump.

I mean, on the one hand, they are not ready to do that, and they would never concede that that’s something they’re ready to do. The problem is barring some kind of change in their news model, there’s no solution to this.

But why bar changes to their news model, I guess, is the question. Because over the years, it’s gotten more and more expensive to produce news, the news that I’m talking about, like recorded packages and what we refer to as reporting. Just go out and report the news.

Don’t gab about it. Just what’s going on, what’s true, what’s false. That’s actually very expensive in television. And they don’t have the kind of money they used to have. So the talking heads is their way to do programming at a level where they can afford it.

They do some packages. “60 Minutes” still does incredible work. NBC does packages, but the lion’s share of what they do is what we’re talking about. And that’s not going to change because the economics aren’t there.

So then a final option, of course, to borrow something Chris Licht said, is that a network like NBC perhaps doesn’t put a jersey on, but accepts the reality that a lot of the world sees them wearing a jersey.

Yeah. I mean, nobody wants to be seen as wearing a jersey in our business. No one wants to be wearing a jersey on our business. But maybe what they really have to accept is that we’re just sticking to the true facts, and that may look like we’re wearing a jersey, but we’re not. And that may, at times, look like it’s lining up more with the Democrats, but we’re not.

If Trump is lying about a stolen election, that’s not siding against him. That’s siding for the truth, and that’s what we’re doing. Easier said than done. And I don’t think any of these concepts are new.

I think there have been attempts to do that, but it’s the world they’re in. And it’s the only option they really have. We’re going to tell you the truth, even if it means that we’re going to lose a big part of the country.

Well, Jim, thank you very much.

Thank you, Michael.

Here’s what else you need to know today.

[PROTESTERS CHANTING]

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in some of the largest domestic demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Israel invaded Gaza in the fall.

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

Some of the protesters called on Netanyahu to reach a cease fire deal that would free the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. Others called for early elections that would remove Netanyahu from office.

During a news conference on Sunday, Netanyahu rejected calls for early elections, saying they would paralyze his government at a crucial moment in the war.

Today’s episode was produced by Rob Szypko, Rikki Novetsky, and Alex Stern, with help from Stella Tan.

It was edited by Brendan Klinkenberg with help from Rachel Quester and Paige Cowett. Contains original music by Marion Lozano, Dan Powell, and Rowan Niemisto and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
• March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband
• March 28, 2024   •   33:40 The Newest Tech Start-Up Billionaire? Donald Trump.
• March 27, 2024   •   28:06 Democrats’ Plan to Save the Republican House Speaker
• March 26, 2024   •   29:13 The United States vs. the iPhone
• March 25, 2024   •   25:59 A Terrorist Attack in Russia
• March 24, 2024   •   21:39 The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’
• March 22, 2024   •   35:30 Chuck Schumer on His Campaign to Oust Israel’s Leader
• March 21, 2024   •   27:18 The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon
• March 20, 2024   •   25:58 The Bombshell Case That Will Transform the Housing Market
• March 19, 2024   •   27:29 Trump’s Plan to Take Away Biden’s Biggest Advantage

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jim Rutenberg

Produced by Rob Szypko ,  Rikki Novetsky and Alex Stern

With Stella Tan

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg ,  Rachel Quester and Paige Cowett

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Dan Powell and Rowan Niemisto

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC was short. The former Republican National Committee chairwoman was hired as an on-air political commentator but released just days later after an on-air revolt by the network’s leading stars.

Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The Times, discusses the saga and what it might reveal about the state of television news heading into the 2024 presidential race.

On today’s episode

Jim Rutenberg , a writer at large for The New York Times.

Background reading

Ms. McDaniel’s appointment had been immediately criticized by reporters at the network and by viewers on social media.

The former Republican Party leader tried to downplay her role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A review of the record shows she was involved in some key episodes .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jim Rutenberg is a writer at large for The Times and The New York Times Magazine and writes most often about media and politics. More about Jim Rutenberg

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