The+Christmas+Speech

Christmas Speeches: Short, Simple and Sincere
Borrowed from the following[| source.] Christmas speeches are often expected as part of workplace celebrations or they may be included in a family get together on Christmas day.
 * [[image:http://www.write-out-loud.com/images/christmasworldball.jpg width="300" height="225" align="right" caption="christmas speeches"]] ||
 * [|Photo:Christian Ferrari] ||

Keeping your speech short, simple and sincere will help keep the mood light and right!

Use the **Christmas Speeches template** below to focus your thoughts and then to create your speech outline. It's an easy step-by-step process.

**1.** **Who is your speech for?**

Is it family, friends, work colleagues, club members...? What do they want or expect to hear? Is it stories about the events of the year shared by everybody, the company's triumphs or challenges...? Does the occasion suit light hearted humor or is solemn more appropriate? Knowing exactly who the audience is will help you choose the tone and content of the speech.

**2.** **What is the purpose of your speech?**

Are you aiming to inspire people? Do you wish to unite them? Perhaps you want to thank them? Maybe you want them to laugh and relax. Perhaps it is a combination. Knowing the main purpose behind your speech will guide your choice of theme, tone and content.

**3.** **Where is the speech being delivered?**

The venue or setting can change how you deliver it. If it's an intimate family setting around the dinner table you won't need either a lecturn on a raised stage or a microphone but in a hall in order to be seen and heard they might be absolutely necessary.

**4.** **What theme is appropriate for the audience?**

A theme is a thread to hang your speech on. It unites it. To keep your speech simple choose one. Suitable themes for Christmas speeches are: **5.** **Organise or outline the BODY of your Christmas Speech**
 * **Gratitude** - be specific what for - health, family, workmates, friendship, kindness, favorable events, challenges, food, your country...
 * **Giving** - the joy of giving, giving time, giving thought, giving a helping hand, giving gifts, giving donations...
 * **Hope** - new beginnings, plans for the future, resolutions, nurturing creativity or ideas, sowing seeds...
 * **Remembrance** - recollections of people or events from the past and their significance in the present, highlights of the previous year's events...
 * **Family** - events, births, deaths, triumphs, challenges, importance of, love, belonging, continuity, history, values, hopes
 * **Unity** -cooperation, community, achievements through working together, embracing and celebrating differences, humanity...

It's easier to begin with the body or middle of your speech because this is where you express your main points or ideas of your chosen theme. You will add the conclusion and beginning later.

//(If you need more explanation of transitions you'll find it here on this page: how to write a speech.)//
 * Select 3 main points.** Start with the most important first. For each point you make give one or two examples to illustrate it. When you give your speech you'll link the points with transitions.

**6.** **Organise or outline the CONCLUSION of your speech**
 * **Point One:** Main idea - Example, example
 * //Transition or link to...//
 * **Point Two:** Idea - Example, example
 * //Transition or link to...//
 * **Point Three:** Idea - Example, example
 * //Transition or link to conclusion of your Christmas speech.//

Conclusions of Christmas speeches should leave your audience full of hope - looking forward to coming events, united and with a sense of gratitude.

To end well, reinforce your theme, summarise your main points and finish with strong statement or maybe a quotation from those below that will resonate on in the minds of your audience.

**7.** **Organise or outline the Introduction of your Christmas speech**

The beginning of your speech:
 * Acknowledges and welcomes guests to the occasion. If you have guests of honor, name them.
 * Introduces the theme of your speech
 * Gives a broad overview of the main points
 * //And links or transitions into the body of the speech - your most important and first point//

**Tips for delivering Christmas Speeches**
 * 1) Write your outline on numbered and labeled (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) cards. (See this page for how to make and use cue cards  effectively.)
 * 2) Time the delivery of your speech to fit harmoniously into the occasion's program. Is it best given before or after the dinner? Do time it for length to make sure you're within the alotted time.
 * 3) Save the glass of Christmas cheer to have //after// your speech rather than before it
 * 4) Practice the speech //before// delivery to your audience and have a few trusted friends or family members listen to it. Get their feedback on content, tone and length (2-3 minutes is good!) Make any changes necessary.
 * If your speech is for a work function:**
 * Remember to acknowledge and include family members or other guests if they're present.

And you'll see just //how easy// it will be to adapt the template for your own use! ||
 * **Look over this sample Christmas Speech outline**

**Quotations for Christmas Speeches**

//Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.// Mary Ellen Chase

//If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.// Unknown

//Heap on the wood! The wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still.// Sir Walter Scott

//I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the word seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.// Taylor Caldwell

//Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.// Peg Bracken

//Christmas Day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both.// Phillips Brooks

//Christmas gift suggestions:// //To your enemy, forgiveness.// //To an opponent, tolerance.// //To a friend, your heart.// //To a customer, service.// //To all, charity.// //To every child, a good example.// //To yourself, respect.// Oren Arnold

//The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.// Henry David Thoreau

//The means to gain happiness is to throw out from oneself,like a spider,in all directions an adhesive web of love,and to catch in it all that comes.// LeoTolstoy

//It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.// Mother Teresa

//He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.// Unknown

//Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'.//Bing Crosby

//The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.//Burton Hillis

//Christmas happens// //everywhere// //every time// //someone reaches out// //to touch another life with love// Carol Duerksen