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Christmas speech sample: sincere & brief
By: Susan Dugdale | updated Nov. 2025
An office Christmas party speech to adapt and make your own
Here's a sample of a Christmas speech prepared by following a simple step-by-step process. You'll find the format is ideal for an office Christmas party, a family get together, a club Christmas event...
Jump to:
- Joe Brown's Christmas office party speech (its context, notes and text)
- The benefits of extemporaneous speaking - combining the use of cue cards and scripted text
- Resources for Christmas speeches: step-by-step guidelines, theme suggestions, quotations and a printable speech outline.
Yes, it truly is one of those occasions when one size, (one format), will genuinely fit all.
If you want to use the same step-by-step process to prepare a similarly 'awesome' speech (☺) for yourself, you'll find the link at the foot of the page.
A note of explanation before you read the speech
What you're seeing here is an example of a speech mostly in note form rather than a full word-by-word, sentence-by-sentence text, or a manuscript.
It's like that for two reasons.
1.Flexibility and freedom
The first reason is, our speaker wants the freedom and flexibility given by using cue or note cards.
The benefits of using cue cards
Cue cards are easily held in one hand. They allow a person to interact more spontaneously with their audience. They can make eye contact, smile, gesture, or move quite freely.
2. Note cards help speakers remember
The second reason for choosing to them is a well-prepared set is a reassuring safety net. They help to remind the speaker of, for instance, the names they need to mention in their opening welcome segment, the important points they wish to cover in the body of their speech and, the sequence that they come in.
The impact of using a manuscript to give a speech
In contrast, reading from a complete 'word-for-word' script makes spontaneous interaction with the people listening much trickier to manage.
A set of A4 pages is harder to deal with than a set of cue cards. They're too big to hold in your hands to read them comfortably, therefore you need a podium to put them on. That means the speaker is anchored to one spot: behind it.
The result is a more formal presentation which doesn't fit with either the occasion or this speaker's overall purpose: to reach out, to inspire and unite the audience with their theme of gratitude.
Extemporaneous: scripted text + impromptu
You'll note the concluding segment of this Christmas speech example is the full text. It's that way because the speaker sweated over finding exactly the right words to say and doesn't want to risk muddling them due to the excitement and pressure of the moment!
When they practice the speech and finally deliver it, they will flesh out the 'opening' and 'body of speech' notes into full sentences.
This method of speech delivery: a mix of carefully scripted text and impromptu speaking using note cards is called extemporaneous.
Joe Brown's Christmas office party speech
Behind the scenes: the context of this speech
Background information to help put this speech* in context:
- The speaker is Joe Brown. He and his family own and manage a small company: Brown's Mill. Brown's Mill makes 'widgets and wodgets'.
- The audience is the company staff.
- The aim or purpose of the speech is to thank them for their work during the year, to foster a sense of togetherness, gratitude and hope.
- The setting is the staff room. It is an informal occasion. Drinks and finger foods will be served after Joe has given the speech.
- The theme Joe has chosen to hang the speech on is gratitude.
* The speech is entirely fictional. I made it up as an example for you.
Christmas speech sample: Joe's opening notes
Welcomes:
- Bryan Grant and Betsy McKinley from Kelly and Bell (VIP guests)
- Esther - 25th Christmas function with us
- Everybody else
Transition to body & theme introduction
"Despite what we've thought about the past 12 months and the ever-present threat of recession we've made it through to the end of the year.
It's nearly Christmas and we've got a lot to be grateful for. We're here, we have a great team and we're still in business."
Joe's notes for the body of his Christmas speech
Point One - April - major order canceled - impacted staffing - needed to adjust working hours - we survived. Tough decisions had to be made but we stood by each other, were supported by our families and made the necessary sacrifices. Huge thanks to Chrissie for organizing the support system.
Point Two - September - breakthrough into a new widget market. Fantastic teamwork - particularly from Doug's production unit - worked all hours to get it going. Credit to all concerned.
Point Three - October - new product line - the wodget- introduced. Innovative marketing plan and revised customer service model. Special thanks to Gary for leading and inspiring the marketing team and to Walter for the hours spent ensuring we give the best to our customers. Working hours adjusted. Finishing the year cautiously optimistic but absolutely certain that it wouldn't have been possible if it hadn't been for the way everyone shouldered their area of responsibility.
The full text of Joe's speech ending
"It's been a tough year and I'm immensely proud of what we accomplished together in spite of that. Some businesses haven't been able to do what we have done.
Thanks to you we'll be going into the new year with strength, to build on our accomplishments and to consolidate our position.
Let's celebrate that. It's a gift to be grateful for. And when you leave here you go to another.
As Burton Hillis said, "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."
And that's what I wish for you all!
Now let's raise a glass - to us, to our families and a wonderful Christmas."
Now change it and make it your own
There you have it! An example of a Christmas speech you can easily adapt to suit: whether it's for a family celebration, the members of your club at your end of year function, your staff...
It's simple, short, and sincere.
Awesome. ☺
Related pages to get your speech underway:
For more about the planning process and preparation click through to this page on Christmas speeches.
You'll find the step-by-step guidelines I used to prepare Joe's speech as well as a free printable outline, theme suggestions and a whole bunch of Christmas quotations, including the one featured here.
And click this link for how to make and use cue cards effectively.
Brief company or office party Christmas speeches
Read two more example short company Christmas party speeches to help you write your own.
Have a joyous Christmas!
Susan
About the Author: Susan Dugdale, founder of write-out-loud.com, is a qualified teacher of English and drama with over 40 years of experience. Drawing on her professional expertise and her personal journey from shyness to confidence, Susan creates practical, real-world resources to help people find their voice and speak with power.
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