There’s hardly an occasion where offering best wishes over a glass of wine or cider (or any beverage, really) doesn’t add a note of grace and warmth to the moment at hand. Whether you’re celebrating a birth, birthday, wedding, anniversary, graduation, or seasonal holidays, offering a sincere and thoughtful toast can make almost any occasion more memorable.

Here are some guidelines to consider when offering or receiving a toast:

• Wait your turn. Don’t offer a toast until your host has had a chance to do so first. If your host is not so inclined, ask if he or she minds if you offer one of your own.

• When you’re the guest of honor, or the subject of a toast, it’s good form to stay seated and refrain from drinking the toast. Once it’s done however, you should always stand up – whether it’s to offer a toast of your own, or simply to say thanks.

• You should always stand when offering a toast unless you’re with a small informal group.

• It’s probably best not to get people’s attention by rapping on your glass with the silverware. Broken glassware can be expensive to replace.

• Keep it simple, short and to the point. The idea is to celebrate a friend or the occasion, not the sound of your own voice.

• If you’re in a room where a toast is being given, it’s aways tasteful to participate. Even if your glass is empty, it’s quite all right to hoist it up and say, “Cheers.”