And like every ritual, it has its rules. Knowing them is important to make a good impression and ensure everything goes smoothly.

As we often do, we're using the space available on our Wine Blog to delve into some aspects of etiquette. Today, it's the turn of toasting at a birthday party.

How to toast at a birthday party: the rules of Etiquette to follow

After consulting with our experts, we've identified 6 fundamental rules to follow for a perfect toast at a birthday party.

1. Toast only after the cake arrives

Birthday parties almost always include a celebratory cake. If you're hosting a dinner party, you might even consider letting guests choose their own dessert.

In any case, the ideal time to toast at a birthday party is after the cake or dessert arrives, before eating it, and when all guests have their own glasses of sparkling wine.

If someone, and this often happens, sings the traditional birthday song, the toast should be proposed and made after the song concludes.

2. The toast should be proposed by the party organizer or a guest close to the person being celebrated

Another important rule of birthday party toasting etiquette concerns who should propose the toast.

The initiative should be taken by the party organizer or by someone "close" to the person being celebrated, someone who is personally close or related to the person being celebrated, be it a husband or wife, a partner, etc.

Furthermore, the person being celebrated should not propose the toast. It should be noted that etiquette does not absolutely prohibit it, but it is good manners and customary for the person being celebrated not to initiate the toast. It is more polite for others to celebrate the person.

3. The toast is preceded by a brief and heartfelt wish

Brevity and simplicity are the two fundamental rules for the phrase or thought that precedes a toast. In other words, the person proposing the toast should avoid long and convoluted speeches that cause the other guests to lose interest and diminish the enthusiasm and engagement that characterize the moments leading up to the toast.

Etiquette recommends using just a few words, with short and sincere sentences. A simple “Happy Birthday!”, “Best Wishes!”, or “Best Wishes to ...” works perfectly well and may be enough, without the need to add anything else. At most, the wish can be accompanied by a personal remark, but never one that is too long.

The reason is that, when someone is about to propose a toast, the other guests’ attention quickly fades, as everyone is already focused on the toast. Therefore, this moment of anticipation should not be prolonged ...

4. Follow the traditional rules of toasting Etiquette

For the rest, the classic rules of toasting etiquette remain valid, with no particular exceptions:

• stand up, at least in formal settings, if possible and without causing too much disruption;

• do not clink glasses with those of the other participants;

• raise your glass toward the other guests and the guest of honor, without making contact between glasses;

• make eye contact with the others, accompanying the gesture with a smile;

• include non-drinkers as well, who should take part in the ritual even if they do not drink (if they wish, they can simply moisten their lips with sparkling wine).

5. NEVER pop the cork when opening sparkling wine

Imagine a family setting: a party organized at home with friends and relatives. We are not in a restaurant. Everyone has probably experienced this many times: a bottle of sparkling wine is opened with a loud pop. According to etiquette, is this acceptable?

The answer is NO, popping the cork when opening sparkling wine should be avoided, even at a birthday party.

Not only is it considered inelegant and risks compromising the wine’s organoleptic qualities, but it also raises safety concerns. Remember that the speed reached by a cork flying out of the neck of a sparkling wine bottle can be so high that it poses a serious danger to the safety of people nearby.

There is only one exception to this rule: according to less strict interpretations of etiquette, popping the cork is tolerated only during New Year’s Eve celebrations, provided that all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the safety of everyone present.

6. Thanking the guests is good Etiquette

As a gesture of courtesy and gratitude, the person being celebrated, at the end of the toast, should give a short speech of thanks to all the guests: “Thank you for being here and for your kind wishes!” or “Thank you all for the surprise. I really enjoyed celebrating my birthday with you!”.

The same rule applies as for the person proposing the toast: use just a few words or sentences that are simple, clear, and, above all, sincere, without getting carried away with overly complex or elaborate speeches.

In short, follow these rules for the perfect birthday toast!