(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out all the different ways the Speechy team can help you write & deliver a great speech. Or check out our new AI-powered team member, SpeechyAI.)
‘(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out our eulogy writing service or our eulogy template.)
(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
Writing a 60th birthday speech can feel like a bit of a minefield. You want it to be heartfelt without being soppy, funny without being cruel, and meaningful without turning into a TED Talk on ageing.
At Speechy, we’re obsessed with helping people celebrate life’s big moments with personality, flair and actual humour (none of that “turning 60 is the new 40” nonsense).
As I always say (probably too often), “If your speech could be given by ChatGPT or a generic uncle, it needs a rewrite.”
Here’s how to write a 60th birthday speech that celebrates the legend in question and leaves the room laughing, teary, and queueing to buy them another sherry 😉.
Okay so, much like the last six decades, let’s take it stage by stage. And if you need further help you can download either our Birthday Speech Template (if it’s your birthday) or Birthday Speech For A Loved One Template (if it’s your partner, parent or friend’s birthday).
A great 60th birthday speech is built on real stories, not Wikipedia-level summaries of someone’s career and number of grandkids.
The more personal the speech, the more universal its appeal. Your job is to gather those stories that show exactly who they are – those moments that reveal the quirks, contradictions, and character traits that make them a true one-off.
Dig Deep
“The goal is to remind everyone in the room why they adore this person – without sounding like a job reference.”
– Heidi Ellert-McDermott, Speechy Founder
Once you’ve got your stash of stories, don’t just dump them into the speech like a greatest hits playlist on shuffle.
Instead, find a theme – a thread that ties it all together.
Great 60th Birthday Speech Themes
Make sure everything ladders up to that idea so your speech sounds like a story – not just a PowerPoint presentation with punchlines.
Describing someone as “kind” or “fun-loving” is easy. But your 60th birthday speech should show, not just tell.
Don’t say they’re loyal. Tell the story of how they once drove four hours through a snowstorm to rescue you from a failed festival weekend and didn’t even mention it again.
Don’t say they’re funny. Tell the one about the time they accidentally joined a local Tai Chi group thinking it was a pop-up wine bar and just… went with it.
These kinds of examples bring your speech to life and paint a far more vivid picture than any glowing adjective ever could.
Fun fact: Psychology Today reports that our brains respond more emotionally to stories than facts. Which is exactly why anecdotes are more powerful than generic praise.
Let’s be honest – this is a celebration, not an audition for The Repair Shop.
Even the most heartfelt 60th birthday speech needs a strong sense of humour. Not everyone is a natural comic, and that’s okay. You don’t need stand-up gags-just authentic, cheeky observations delivered with warmth.
Avoid jokes lifted from the internet. Most guests have heard them. Some may have posted them. If you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t say it at their party.
Go for:
This is where your insider knowledge shines.
And remember-self-deprecating humour can be your friend too, especially if you’re close enough to mock the birthday star’s long-standing rivalry with modern tech or Mastermind-level commitment to pub quizzes.
Now the room is warm and giggling, it’s time to land the sentiment.
A great 60th birthday speech should include a moment that genuinely tugs at the heartstrings but don’t force it. Keep it honest, grounded, and relevant to the stories you’ve already shared.
Talk about how much this person means to you and how they’ve made a difference in the lives of those around them. It doesn’t need to be poetic. It just needs to feel real.
“A few tears are good. A full-on sob-fest? Probably not the vibe.”
– Heidi, again
End with a line that sums up their life so far and hints at how much joy they still have left to cause.
Timing-wise, your 60th birthday speech should be no longer than 8 minutes. That’s around 1,000–1,200 words if you’re speaking at a relaxed pace and allowing for laughs, cheers and maybe a heckle from the back row.
Why?
Because no one ever said, “That speech was hilarious… I wish it had been longer.”
Also: you’re likely one of several people speaking. Keep the energy high, the pacing punchy, and avoid the trap of thinking a longer speech equals a better one. It doesn’t.
Top tip: Read your speech aloud, time it, and then cut 10% just to be safe.
Any celebration speech should be delivered well within ten minutes, even allowing for laughter and any good-natured heckles!
If you’re currently staring at a blank page and wondering where to start, you’re not alone.
That’s why we created our Birthday Speech Products & Services page.
A brilliant 60th birthday speech isn’t about ticking etiquette boxes or pretending they’re ready for slippers. It’s about celebrating who they are-loudly, proudly, and hilariously.
So write the speech only you could give. The one they’ll quote for years. And if you can sneak in a reference to that infamous karaoke night in ’92… even better.
The Speechy team are TV-trained scriptwriters/comedians by trade & we’ve helped 1,000s of speakers around the world deliver their dream speech.
Our advice has been quoted everywhere from The New York Times to Grazia and from Forbes to The Observer. Our founder has also featured on the BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford and written ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, published by Little, Brown.
