(*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 70th birthday speech should feel like a celebration, not a chore. After all, you’ve been given the honour of paying tribute to someone who’s collected seven decades’ worth of memories, stories, and quirks. So let’s make sure your speech is as memorable as the person you’re writing it for.
At Speechy, we’ve helped people write birthday speeches that are heartfelt, funny, and full of the kind of honesty that gets guests laughing and crying in equal measure. Here’s how to write a 70th birthday speech that does the job (without making anyone sneak off to check their phone).
(Or feel free to cut to the chase, and check out all the different products and services we have to help you!)
A great 70th birthday speech doesn’t need to be formal or flawless. It just needs to feel true and a special moment to the occasion.
The more personal, the better. You want your speech to make people nod, laugh, and maybe even nudge the person next to them in recognition. So, dig into the stories that show the birthday person in all their glory.
Ask yourself:
Talk to other friends and family members. Suggest a brainstorm and open a bottle of wine. Reminisce.
Unearth the moments that sum them up perfectly – the silly ones and the touching ones.
Once you’ve got your raw material, start looking for patterns. What’s the common thread?
Maybe they’ve always been the adventurer in the family. Or the fixer, the joker, or the rock everyone leans on. A theme will help you shape your speech into a proper narrative.
“Without a theme, your speech risks becoming a laundry list of memories. With one, it becomes a story.” – Heidi Ellert-McDermott, Speechy Founder
Think of a theme as the glue that binds your anecdotes together. It could be a phrase, a personality trait, or a familiar catchphrase. For example:
Use light wordplay or subtle references to keep it flowing. If the theme is about their athletic past, you might talk about their ‘marathon WhatsApp rants’ or ‘hurdles they’ve helped others jump.’ It adds flair without being heavy-handed.
Everyone says their loved one is kind, funny or wise. You need to prove it.
If they’re kind, mention their years of volunteering at Oxfam. If they’re funny, share the time they kept you laughing through a 10-mile hike in the Brecon Beacons with jokes in a Welsh accent.
Specificity shows insight and makes your birthday speech unforgettable.
“She’s the only woman I know who can offer you a biscuit, criticise your haircut, and share life-changing wisdom in the same breath.”
No one has ever said, “I wish that speech had gone on longer.”
Aim for 5–8 minutes max. Be selective. Focus on your best anecdotes – the funniest, most surprising, or warmly familiar. Factor in spontenous audience interaction on the day and pauses for laughter.
Re. the tone? A good rule of thumb: 70% humour, 30% sentiment.
Yes, it’s a milestone birthday. Yes, it’s tempting to wax lyrical. But keep the tone light rather than formal.
Once the audience is laughing, you’ve earned your right to get sentimental. Reflect on the impact this person has had on everyone in the room. Highlight the love and legacy they’ve created. A well-aimed love bomb after a roomful of laughter? Pure magic.
A great quote can elevate your speech – but don’t let it do the heavy lifting. Use it as an accent, not the main event.
Use one early on to set the tone, and one near the end to add depth or bring everything full circle.
And choose wisely:
Perfect if you want to reflect on the full tapestry of their life. Add a personal follow-up like, “Although in Dad’s case, the teenager with questionable taste in shirts is still going strong.”
This is a lovely way to acknowledge that, actually, 70 can be full of spark. Especially if the birthday person has just taken up paddleboarding or TikTok.
Ideal before one of your funniest anecdotes.
A good fit for a speech that touches on friendship, long-lasting relationships, or a bit of romantic reflection.
This quote lands beautifully near the end of the speech. And if the birthday person is known for their generosity or emotional warmth, this one’s a keeper.
Sometimes the best tribute is a bit of a tease. The more specific you are, the more heartfelt (and hilarious) you can be.
“John may be 70, but he still drives like he’s late for a Rolling Stones gig.”
“Ask Gran what her secret to happiness is and she’ll say, ‘A good whiskey and no opinion on politics.’”
Need help finding the perfect quote or a great turn of phrase?
“People don’t remember speeches word for word. They remember how you made them feel.” – Heidi, again 🙋♀️
We’ve created a Birthday Speech Template that makes writing your speech quicker and easier. And if you’re paying tribute to someone else, this Birthday Tribute Speech Template could be for you.
Or if you’ve already written a draft, send it our way for a professional polish with our Edit Service.
And if you want to go all in, we also offer a Bespoke Birthday Speech Package – where one of our pro writers crafts the whole thing from scratch, based on your stories.
Whether it’s you, your dad, your grandma, your husband, or your brilliantly eccentric best mate turning 70 – this is your chance to say something that matters.
Go on, make them cry. (The good kind.)
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.
