Holiday Table Topics

These are Table Topics especially suited for various holidays or seasons.

New Years

Do you believe you are more like "Father Time" or the "New Year's Baby"?

Martin Luther King's Day

Describe one activity that would be appropriate for MLK Day which is not currently planned in your community.

If Dr. King were to return today, what would he say about the State of the United States?

Describe someone who has had as much impact on your civil liberties as MLK.

What is the most important civil liberty?

Valentine's Day

Bring some carnations to the meeting (artificial are OK for this exercise). Select a pair of speakers. Have them give their carnation to the other, along with an appropriate "speech." The pair can role play, for example, a pair of third graders who secretly like each other, but publicly "hate" the other; Mark Anthony and Cleopatra; a couple celebrating their 50th Valentine's Day together; or a father and his daughter.

President's Day

Think about your favorite cartoon character (Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Daffy Duck, etc.). Pretend that character was our President some time ago. Explain why that character was the nation's greatest President.

Think about your favorite cartoon character (Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Daffy Duck, etc.). Give a presidential nominating speech for that character.

Who is your nomination for Best (or Worst) President. Support your nomination.

How would the county change if a woman were elected President?

All Fool's Day

Congress has determined that April 1 (All Fool's Day) will become a national holiday honoring some public office. Which office would you suggest would be appropriate for that holiday?

The origins of this holiday are not well known. However, I know that you have the inside story on this. Why do we celebrate All Fool's Day?

Describe the family dinner that is appropriate for All Fool's Day.

What is the best "joke" that you have ever played on someone for All Fool's Day?

Easter

It's well known that Easter Eggs are delivered by the Easter Bunny. It's also well known that Bunnies do not lay eggs. How did the Easter Bunny get that job? And -- where do the eggs come from?

The Easter Bunny is jealous of all the fuss made over Christmas. You have been chosen to determine what type of tree will become the official "Easter Tree." What is your choice and why?

For your Easter Bonnet you have chosen to wear something most unusual. What is it and why did you choose it?

Who's going to be the grand marshal at your Easter Parade?

Tax Day (April 15 in the United States)

Sally Milo wrote this. At my meeting Tuesday night, the Topics Master presented what, to me, was great fun. She had a table full of items covered with a cloth. The participants left the room during each other's presentation, so no one had the advantage of much time to prepare. As it was April 15th, the topic was to use objects such as tax forms, aspirin, a cell phone, money, calculator and others to demonstrate visually the advice we would give to someone completing his taxes at that moment. - Made for lots of laughs!

Independence Day

(NOTE: I know that "Independence Day" is a holiday celebrated by citizens of the United States. These ideas, though, can be used by any country that celebrates some sort of "freedom" day.)

It is not generally well known that our Independence Day almost failed. It was a member of your family who "saved the day." Share that story with us.

We typically celebrate Independence Day with a lot of fireworks. These items, though, cause a number of injuries to children every year. What is your suggestion for a suitable replacement for family fireworks on this day?

In the city of Huba-Huba, the town council decided that they wanted to replace "fireworks" with "waterworks." Describe the evening's celebration there.

Share with us any memories you have of Independence Days from the past.

Christmas

Santa has a cold and cannot make the trip this year. Who would you choose to replace the old elf and why?

Santa is tired of the North Pole. He has decided to re-locate. Where would you recommend he move and why?

Just how does Santa manage to deliver all those toys around the world?

Owen KL owenkl@aol.com  posted this on the Toastmasters newsgroup.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF TOASTMASTERS

1. On the first day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    A Table Topic about my TV.

2. On the second day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on how I learned to ski.

3. On the third day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on Robert E. Lee.

4. On the fourth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic of what Christmas means to me.

5. On the fifth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on going out to sea.

6. On the sixth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on a Christmas tree.

7. On the seventh day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Seven Voices Varying
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on Pamela Lee. [Anderson, Baywatch bimbo]

8. On the eighth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Eight Speakers Speaking
    Seven Voices Varying
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on artillery.

9. On the ninth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Nine Chairs Presiding
    Eight Speakers Speaking
    Seven Voices Varying
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic about a busy bee.

10. On the tenth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Ten Timers Timing
    Nine Chairs Presiding
    Eight Speakers Speaking
    Seven Voices Varying
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on my life's key.

11. On the 'leventh day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Eleven Counters Counting
    Ten Timers Timing
    Nine Chairs Presiding
    Eight Speakers Speaking
    Seven Voices Varying
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic of what makes me go "Whee!"

12. On the twelfth day of Christmas, Toastmasters gave to me
    Twelve Judges Judging,
    Eleven Counters Counting
    Ten Timers Timing
    Nine Chairs Presiding
    Eight Speakers Speaking
    Seven Voices Varying
    Six Gestures Waving
    Five Gold Ribbons
    Four Daily Words
    Three Er or Ums
    Two evaluations
    And a Table Topic on a pear tree.

I was Topicmaster tonight, and had the whole group sing along on this! Everyone seemed to enjoy! After each verse, I'd call out a name, and that person had to do a regular table topic. Everyone knew all 12 potential topics in advance, since I passed out copies before the meeting, but since no one knew which they'd get out of so many, it didn't make any difference. If I'd only had 5 people available, I'd have started 5 verses from the end. As it was, I had 10, so the third night I said we'd skip 'cause we were too busy shopping, and the fifth because we were hung over from the Toastmasters party the night before. As expected, some people barely acknowledged their assigned topic, and discussed a previous topic or two instead. As a result, some topics were hit
twice, and Robert E. Lee (which I'd skipped because I'd thought it would be hard to discuss) got covered 3 times! (The general twice, the riverboat once!) On the other hand, I'd expected bimbos (as represented by Pamela Lee) to be the hottest topic (if you'll pardon the double entendre). Instead, she was one of the two topics (along with the final pear tree) that never got touched. Anyway,
we all had fun singing, and it was a great TT session. You might save this and try it yourself next Christmas.
~Owen

Thanks for that topic, Owen. You can be sure I'll try it next year (I'm kind-a crazy like that!). --George

George R. Self
E-mail me at: grself@c2i2.com

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