'Tis the Season for... Social Speeches

Ashleigh Gulliver
Dec 9, 2025
4 min read

Simple frameworks to help you shine when it’s your turn at the mic this silly season.

December is alwarys a fast downhill slide towards Christmas and summer holidays, with lighter evenings, a little more energy, and for many of us, the beginning of a full social calendar. With that comes social speeches. Farewells. Welcomes. Celebrations. Thank-yous.

These short speeches often sneak up on people. They might look casual, but that doesn’t make them easy. For many, the fear isn’t about standing up; it’s about not knowing what to say when the moment arrives.

If you suspect you’ll get a tap on the shoulder at an end-of-year function, team lunch, or farewell, start preparing now. You don’t need a full script; a loose structure will do most of the heavy lifting.

Below you’ll find:• A quick prep routine you can start today.• Three short, reusable frameworks (Welcome/Introduction, Tribute/Farewell, Award/Thank-you).• A worked example for each so you can see how to move from an outline to a finished speech.

Preparation Routine

Ask AI (or me!) for a template that suits your situation — farewell, thank-you, welcome, or celebration.
Fill it in with one or two stories or details from your real experience.
Practise aloud - the more you can say it aloud the more comfortable you will be with the content.
Record yourself - yes, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s the best teacher.

Review your recording in three ways:

👀 Watch with no sound: notice posture, gestures, or fidgeting.
🎧 Listen without looking: count filler words, check pace, and note pauses.
📄 Transcribe and read: spot repetition, phrasing, or unexpected clarity.

Most people discover they sound much better than they imagined. Having data, not just feelings or vague memories, helps quiet the noise in your head. Try it. Reflect. Refine. Repeat.

Framework 1 — Welcome / Introduction

Use this when opening an event, celebration, or gathering.

Structure

Greeting: Welcome the audience and name the occasion.
Acknowledge: Mention key people, teams, or guests.
Purpose: Say what the event is about or why it matters.
Close: Set a positive tone and invite people to enjoy the event.

Example:

“Good evening everyone, and welcome to our end-of-year celebration.It’s great to see so many familiar faces, and a few new ones too.Tonight is about recognising the teamwork and resilience that’s brought us through another big year. We’ve got good food, some well-deserved awards, and plenty of laughter ahead, so relax and enjoy the night.”

Why it works: It’s warm, inclusive, and professional, perfect for MCs, managers, or anyone starting a function on the right note.

Framework 2 — Tribute / Farewell

Use this to recognise someone’s contribution and leave them with genuine warmth.

Structure

Connection: How you know them or their role.
Qualities: Name two key strengths or traits.
Stories: Link each to a short example or memory.
Legacy: What they’ve brought to the team or left behind.
Close: A heartfelt wish or toast.

Example:

“When I think of Emma, the first words that come to mind are energy and generosity. She’s the one who could walk into a stressful day and somehow lift everyone’s spirits, I still remember her Friday morning huddles that had the whole team laughing before 9 a.m. She’s also the first to put her hand up to help, whether it’s mentoring new staff or staying late to complete a deadline. Emma’s enthusiasm and kindness have shaped our team more than she probably realises. Thank you, Emma, we’ll miss you, and we can’t wait to see what you do next. Let’s raise a glass to Emma.”

Why it works: It’s specific, personal, and rooted in appreciation; it honours the person and the impact they’ve had.

Framework 3 — Award / Thank-You

Use this when recognising effort or presenting something meaningful.

Structure

Purpose: State what the award or thanks is for.
Evidence: Give 1–2 examples of what they did.
Impact: Describe what difference it made.
Close: Present the award or express gratitude.

Example:

“Tonight we’re recognising Sam for his incredible dedication to our mentorship programme. Over the past year, Sam has mentored five students, organised weekly sessions, and designed a new resource kit we now use across the network. Because of his work, several mentees have gone on to secure full-time roles, an amazing ripple effect. Sam, thank you for your leadership and generosity. Please join me in celebrating Sam and this well-deserved award.”

Why it works: It’s balanced and purposeful, highlighting both the effort and the outcome.

From Framework to Finished Speech

Pick your framework.
Write your speech in full or in bullet points using the structural prompts to guide you. The more you can do it with just keywords/phrases rather than full sentences, will help you to speak in a more extempore style at the time. This is more natural and means that each time you say it it will be slightly different to the time before.
If time allows, record yourself practising it. Review this and refine your delivery as needed.
If you are feeling nervous, it can really help to visit the location of the talk. Note where the audience will be, where you will stand, how you will get on and off the ‘stage’, your eye contact points etc. This will help you to turn those unknowns into knowns, leaving you to focus on the content rather than your position at the event.

Quick Tips for THE Moment

Take 5 seconds to arrive on stage, look up at the audience, stop and breathe before you start.
Smile, it warms your voice and lifts your facial expression.
Make eye contact with one friendly face first.
Pause after key points to let them land - especially if you are giving crucial information like bathroom locations or who is moving up for dinner first.
End with a strong voice, look up and smile again - you can never smile too much!

Most people discover they sound much better than they imagined. Having data, (from your record, review, refine) not just feelings or vague memories, helps quiet the noise in your head and ease those nerves.

Bring on social speech season - you’ve got this!(And if not… Let’s chat.)

Ashleigh