What's involved in hosting a Burns Supper?

[robbiethepiper]

Instead of toasting the queen you might consider the loyal toast: "To the King o'er the water!" The whisky glass is then symbolically passed over the water jug on its way to your lips...

[Lallans]

First and foremost, hire a piper, pay him well, and ply him with drink!

And of course keep in mind that any drink offered to a piper at an event must be matched by the host and polished off by both in one go....

[Bob C]

Since you're in the USA, toasting the queen is not necessary, as we have no queen.

Good luck with your dinner!

[macwilkin]

Since you're in the USA, toasting the queen is not necessary, as we have no queen.

Good luck with your dinner!

"More's the pity that we don't!", says the closet Constitutional Monarchist.

Of course, what Bob forgets is that US Military personnel frequently toast sovereign heads of state at formal dining-ins and mess nights as a matter of protocol and respect. It may not be "necessary", but there's nothing wrong with it either. I have a number of period accounts from the 1859 celebrations where "The Queen of Britain and all friendly powers" were toasted at Burns Nights across the USA.

Deoch slainte na ban Righ! -- "Here's a Health to the Woman King!"


T.

[macwilkin]

Duplicate post deleted.

[thescot]

To answer your original question: A bit of courage, some planning, and good friends who will appreciate the event.

The sites mentioned and advice given will guide you well. I fell into hosting an annual Supper five years ago, and it's been worth the trouble. I found a local pub that wanted the business (January is a slow time of year) and got them to do all the cooking. (Exceopt for the haaggis which I actually cooked myself.) Then I solicited kilties from the area and now it's a big deal. In fact, it's a big enough deal that I don't want it any bigger! I had a time trying to visit with everyone last year what with the host's duties of checking details, counting heads, making a speech, etc.

This year, I want to farm out the addresses and performances (except for a poem or two) and try to enjy it more.

Do it. You won't be sorry, and if you simply follow the formet from the World Burns Club, everyone will have fun.

Pictures are expected.

[Woodsheal]

Since you're in the USA, toasting the queen is not necessary, as we have no queen.

How dare you forget Oprah the 1st?!

Off with your head...!

[Semiomniscient]

In our Society (and we're in the USA), we've toasted the Queen, the President of the USA, Lassies, etc. Sometimes though, it's been hard to get someone to give a toast to the President. It gets taken to be political when it's not meant that way. Oh well...

[macwilkin]

In our Society (and we're in the USA), we've toasted the Queen, the President of the USA, Lassies, etc. Sometimes though, it's been hard to get someone to give a toast to the President. It gets taken to be political when it's not meant that way. Oh well...

That's why our society simply toasts "The United States of America".

T.

[Semiomniscient]

That's why our society simply toasts "The United States of America".

T.

We do as well. This year, we're doing toasts to "The Lassies", "Laddies", "Scotland", "The United States of America", and "The Founders" (That is the Founders of our Society).