Are you doing it wrong?
How do you properly toast someone?
Terry and I just got back from a wildly fun Christmas in November at the fabulous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
(Here I am with my friend Jeannette Blumentrath sampling candy cane martinis – see below for recipe and more candid photos)
Mingling with celebrities
As a presenter I got to stand in the presenters’ receiving line with chef Michael Smith and the other celebrities, shaking people’s hands before the gala dinner. While greeting individual guests as they walked into the ball room, we raised our wine/martini glasses in a toast to them.
Eye candy
One of the Christmas in November gals complimented me on my toast and eye contact. I hadn’t really thought about it much before but they remarked how so few people look others in the eye when toasting them these days. Have you noticed it? Oftentimes we are not really in the moment or maybe we’re trying to be careful not to miss their glass when clinking (that’s Terry’s excuse). We forget to take the time to really see, make eye contact and acknowledge the person in front of us.
Drink to me only with thine eyes
A toast without the eye contact is like cinnamon toast without the raisins. It’s okay but it doesn’t really warm the heart (or the tummy). Romantics and poets have given this advice for centuries. There’s a famous song based on Ben Jonson’s poem from the 1600’s that says it all:
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup
And I’ll not look for wine.
(Click here to listen to … would you believe Johnny Cash singing the musical version.)
The toast of the town
If you want to make a really effective toast, smile but be sure to make eye contact. This creates a bond and generates much more subconscious good will than just mechanically clinking glasses. It works with strangers and (take note of this tip, Terry) is especially attractive and heartwarming to your significant other.
RECIPE FOR CANDY CANE MARTINI
How to spread the cheer this holiday –
1.5 oz. Russian Standard Vodka
0.5 oz. BOLS Peppermint
2 oz. White Cranberry Juice
shaken over ice, served in a grenadine-rimmed martini glass.
Special thanks to Ken and Ailynn of Whimsical Cake Studio for sharing their photos and the recipe.
Click here to see more food, fun and frolic – more Christmas in November photos on their blog.