Stress and Holiday Speeches

Does the thought of standing in front of a crowd and giving a holiday speech make you nervous? You're not alone. Whether you're speaking at an office Christmas party, a holiday gathering, or a special celebration, public speaking can bring on stress, even for those who are usually confident.

The good news is that preparation can make a difference. In this positive thought, Byron Pulsifer shares ten practical tips to help you prepare for a holiday speech, calm your nerves, and speak with greater confidence. You'll also find an encouraging poem to remind you that a little nervousness is nothing to fear.

Updated October 20, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Stress and Holiday Speeches

By Byron Pulsifer, © 2006

Dry mouth, shaking knees, headache, and perspiring profusely. Does this sound familiar? From hundreds of interviews, I've found that being asked to give a speech is one of the greatest stressors at work.

Depending on your work environment, however, you probably can't avoid making that holiday address to your co-workers, or employees forever. So, how do you handle this stressful situation?

Some people would have you believe that all you have to do is pretend that your audience isn't there, or to pretend that you're talking to a group of first graders. Nothing can be further from the truth.

In the simplest of terms, giving a speech requires preparation, lots of it especially if this is your first speech. Very few of us, unless we're experienced public speakers, can wing it off the top. And, even if you can wing it, it's probably because you're talking about something you've either talked about before, or you are able to grab snippets of information from other addresses.

Let's assume you are asked to make a few remarks for a pre-holiday get together and dance. Here are a few nifty tips to help you make it through that first holiday speech:

10 Tips to Reduce Stress Before a Holiday Speech

1. Keep your speech short.

   After all, you're not there to campaign for public office. All you need is a few paragraphs that:

   • Thank everyone for attending.
   • Acknowledge the work done by staff personnel to make all the necessary preparations for your evening.
   • Name the individuals involved in the preparation, making sure you have ALL the names, and stop after each name for applause.
   • Announce any special information that people need to know, such as where the washrooms are located, when the music or band will start, how the meal will be served, and when prizes will be announced.
   • End your address with best wishes for everyone to enjoy their evening and sincere wishes for a safe and happy holiday period.
2. Write out your entire speech.

   Don't skip a word. Write it so it is at least double-spaced so if you have to read portions (like people's names) you can easily find them on the page. It is also a good idea to use a coloured highlighter to mark their names so they are easy to see.

3. Practice reading your speech aloud.

   Once you have every word written, practice giving your address in private reading aloud. At this time, highlight (with a different colour than used for names) any words where you want to emphasize, pause, or significantly change your tone or loudness.

   The idea here is to give yourself as many clues as possible so you won't forget them in the heat of the moment.

4. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare.

   Remember preparation. You can never read your speech too often, or practice too many times. When I practiced in preparation to give a short seminar, I would rehearse the full seminar at least eight times.

   The important point here is that you want to become so familiar with your speech that you could recite it word for word in your sleep. You want to make it good, don't you? So, practice, practice, and practice.

   Obviously, I'm not talking about just rehearsing the night before, or two days before. I'm talking about at least two weeks before, especially if this is your first time. Give yourself ample time to feel totally at ease.

5. Dress as you would for the event.

   Another little trick that I used was to dress exactly the way I would for the event. This technique ensures that you are not only totally comfortable with what you are going to say, but totally comfortable physically as well.

6. Practice in front of someone you trust.

   If you have a spouse, partner, children, or a close friend, rehearse your speech in front of them. There is nothing like someone else watching your every move, listening to every word to give you that sense of "you're on" feeling.

7. Be mindful of caffeine and room temperature.

   If you are going to give your speech at the start of the event, refrain from caffeine (coffee, tea, coke) as these will exaggerate all the stress responses. If you are prone to perspiring, arrive early and make sure the heat is turned down a few degrees, or the air conditioning is on. If you can't do this, open any doors or windows.

8. Have water available.

   And, here's another little trick I learned. Make sure you have water handy, and not cold water. Sip room temperature or warm water. This will keep your vocal cords relaxed.

9. Avoid alcohol and smoking before speaking.

   Don't drink alcohol at least twenty-four hours before, and don't light that cigarette just before you give your speech. These will only make matters worse. Wait until you're finished.

10. Take deep breaths and find a friendly face.

    And, last of all, take a few deep breaths before you start. Look for a friendly face to focus on when you start. I'm talking about somebody that is either smiling at you, or you know very well and feel totally comfortable with.

    At the very least, focus on this person for your first few sentences, then let your gaze go to the back of the room. Try and speak to the left side, then centre and then right side of the room so you give the appearance that you are including everyone in your address.

Let Your Butterflies Fly in Formation

Even after all your practice, you're sure to have a few butterflies. This is good. A little anticipation keeps the spark in your words. Butterflies? You bet but the secret, from all your rehearsals, is that you can get the butterflies to fly in formation.

A Poem About Overcoming the Fear of Speaking

Feeling nervous before giving a speech is something many of us experience. But with practice, preparation, and a little confidence, those nervous feelings do not have to stop us. This poem by Catherine Pulsifer offers a lighthearted reminder that we don't have to be perfect speakers to make a positive impression.

Conclusion

Giving a holiday speech may never be your favourite part of the celebration, but it doesn't have to become a source of overwhelming stress. As Byron Pulsifer reminds us, preparation is one of the best ways to replace worry with confidence.

By keeping your message short, practising your words, and focusing on the people you are speaking to, you can turn a nervous moment into an opportunity to share appreciation and good wishes. Remember, your audience is not expecting perfection. They simply want to hear a sincere message.

So when it's your turn to speak, take a deep breath, smile, and trust the preparation you've done. Those butterflies may still be there, but with a little practice, you can help them fly in formation. And when your speech is finished, you can relax and enjoy the holiday celebration too!

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