50 Perfect Christmas Out of Office Messages

Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Status.net Editorial Team

• Christmas Out-of-Office Message Examples Part 1
• Crafting Your Holiday Out-of-Office Message Part 2
• Key Components to Include in Your Message Part 3
• Setting up Your Automatic Reply in Outlook and Gmail Part 4
• Handling Urgent Communications During Your Absence Part 5
• Adapting Out-of-Office Messages for Other Leave Part 6

A well-crafted Christmas out of office message sets clear expectations about when colleagues, clients, and other contacts can expect to hear back from you. This way, you can enjoy your time off without worrying about work piling up or people wondering why you’re not responding to their emails. In this article, we’ll provide you with examples of effective messages that you can use as a starting point for your own. We’ll also discuss some proven phrases that you can incorporate into your message to ensure that it is professional, friendly, and informative.

Part 1Christmas Out-of-Office Message Examples

Christmas Message Samples for External Contacts

• Warm wishes for a joyous Christmas! I’m currently out of the office, spending quality time with my family. I’ll respond to your message upon my return on [date].
• I am away for the Christmas holidays and will not be checking emails regularly until [Return Date]. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
• Thank you for your message. I am currently out of the office for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent inquiries, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Have a wonderful holiday season!
• I’m currently out of the office for the Christmas celebrations. I’ll reply to your message after [date]. Wishing you a blessed Christmas!
• I am out of the office celebrating Christmas and will return on [Return Date]. I will have limited access to my email during this time. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Enjoy the holidays!
• During this festive season, I’m taking a break from work to celebrate Christmas with my loved ones. I’ll be back in the office on [date]. Merry Christmas!
• The office is closed for the Christmas holidays. I’ll respond to your message when I return on [date]. Sending you heartfelt Christmas greetings!
• During this time of year, I’m taking a break from work to spend quality time with my family. I’ll be back in the office on [date]. Have a merry and peaceful Christmas!
• I’m currently spending time with my loved ones and will respond to your message when I return on [date]. May your Christmas be filled with joy and warmth!
• I am out of the office for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. During this period, I will have limited access to my email. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Happy Holidays!
• I’m out of the office for the Christmas holidays. I’ll be back on [date] and will address your message then. Have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and laughter!
• I am currently away from the office for the Christmas season and will be back on [Return Date]. Your email is important to me, and I will respond as soon as possible upon my return. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Best wishes for a joyous holiday!
• During this holiday season, I’m taking a break from work to create lasting memories with my loved ones. I’ll be back in the office on [date]. Wishing you a Christmas that’s merry and bright!
• The office is closed for the Christmas celebrations. I’ll address your message upon my return on [date]. Have a blessed and joyous Christmas!
• I am on vacation for the Christmas holidays and will be back in the office on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Wishing you a joyous holiday season!
• I’m currently away from my desk, celebrating Christmas with my family. I’ll respond to your message as soon as I can after [date]. May your Christmas be filled with heartfelt moments!
• I am out of the office for the Christmas break and will return on [Return Date]. During this time, I will have limited access to email. For urgent matters, please reach out to [Alternative Contact Person] at [Alternative Contact Email/Phone]. Happy Holidays!
• I’m out of the office for the Christmas holidays, celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with my loved ones. I’ll be back on [date] and will address your message then. Have a Christmas that’s merry and bright!

Christmas Message Samples for Internal Contacts

• Hi Everyone,
  I’m off celebrating the holiday season with my family and will be back on [Return Date]. I’ll check emails occasionally. Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the New Year!
• Dear Colleagues,
  I am taking some time off to enjoy the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. Wishing you all a joyous holiday season filled with love and happiness!
• Hey Team,
  I’m out of the office for Christmas and will be back on [Return Date]. Happy Holidays and see you soon!
• Hi Team,
  I’m currently away for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. Have a fantastic holiday season and see you in the New Year!
• Dear Team,
  I am out of the office for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person]. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
• Hi Everyone,
  I’m off enjoying the Christmas season and will be back on [Return Date]. Have a joyful and festive holiday season!
• Dear Colleagues,
  I am taking a break for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous holiday season!
• Dear Team,
  I am currently out of the office for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. During this period, I will have limited access to email. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
• Hi Team,
  I’m away for the Christmas break and will be back on [Return Date]. Enjoy the holidays and see you soon!
• Dear Team,
  I am out of the office for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please reach out to [Alternative Contact Person]. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and laughter!
• Hi Everyone,
  I’m away for the Christmas holidays and will be back on [Return Date]. Have a fantastic holiday season and see you in the New Year!
• I am taking some well-deserved time off for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person]. Wishing you all a warm and joyous holiday season!
• I’m out of the office for the Christmas season and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent issues, please reach out to [Alternative Contact Person]. Have a festive and merry Christmas!
• I am taking time off to celebrate the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person]. Wishing you all a peaceful and reflective holiday season!
• I’m out of the office for some holiday fun and will be back on [Return Date]. If you need anything urgent, [Alternative Contact Person] is your contact. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
• I am currently out of the office celebrating Christmas with my loved ones and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person]. Wishing you all a holiday season filled with love and joy!
• I am currently out of the office for the Christmas holidays and will return on [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please reach out to [Alternative Contact Person]. Wishing you all a holiday season filled with warmth and happiness!

Funny and Creative Christmas Out-of-Office Messages

A little humor can make your out-of-office reply memorable, especially when your company culture leans casual or your recipients are mostly coworkers who will smile at a good joke. This style tends to land well internally and with clients you already know informally. For formal external contacts, such as new clients, vendors, or executives who have not seen your sense of humor yet, a more traditional message is often the safer choice.

Workplace cultures shaped by younger generations increasingly reward this looser, meme-inspired tone. Even so, it is worth checking with a manager first if you are unsure how it will land with your specific audience.

• I’m off the clock and full of eggnog until [date]. If this is urgent, congratulations, you found the one thing that could ruin my holiday. Email me anyway and I’ll respond when I’m back.
• Currently buffering… please try again after [date]. Until then, I’m fully dedicated to naps, cookies, and pretending my inbox does not exist.
• I’ve traded my keyboard for wrapping paper until [date]. Urgent requests will be handled by [Alternative Contact]; everything else can wait patiently, just like the rest of us waited for Santa.
• Out of office, currently negotiating with my family over the last slice of pie. Back on [date].
• Gone into full holiday hibernation mode until [date]. If the building is on fire, call [Alternative Contact]. If it’s just an email, it will survive until I’m back.
• This inbox is closed for the holidays, but my love for last-minute deadlines returns in full force on [date].

Christmas and New Year Out-of-Office Message Examples

Many offices close for the entire stretch between Christmas and New Year, so a single message that covers both holidays saves you from writing and resetting a second reply once January arrives.

• Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m out of the office from December 23rd through January 1st and will respond to your message when I return on January 2nd.
• Our office is closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays. I’ll be checking email sparingly until January 2nd, when I’ll respond to everything in the order it arrived.
• Thank you for your message. I’m celebrating Christmas and the New Year with family and will return on [date]. For anything urgent, please contact [Alternative Contact]. See you in the New Year!
• I’m taking end-of-year leave and will be back at my desk on [date] of the new year. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a bright start to the new year!
• Out of office until the new year. I’ll respond to your email as soon as I can starting [date]. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!

Neutral and Inclusive Holiday Season Messages

Not every recipient celebrates Christmas, and plenty of workplaces prefer a message that acknowledges the season without assuming a specific holiday. A neutral “happy holidays” style message tends to work well for global teams, public-facing accounts, or any company that wants to feel welcoming to everyone who contacts it.

• Thank you for your message. I’m out of the office for the holiday season and will return on [date]. Wishing you a restful end to the year.
• In observance of the holidays, our office will be closed from [date] to [date]. I’ll respond to your message upon my return. Happy Holidays!
• I’m currently away enjoying the holiday season with family and will be back on [date]. For anything urgent, please contact [Alternative Contact].
• Our team is taking end-of-year leave and will return on [date]. We appreciate your patience and wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.
• Out of office for the holidays. I’ll reply to your message as soon as I’m back on [date]. Wishing you all the best this season.

Christmas Voicemail and Phone Out-of-Office Messages

A phone greeting has to work when spoken aloud, so keep it shorter than an email reply and lead with the detail callers need most, when you will be back.

• Thank you for calling. Our office is closed for the Christmas holidays and will reopen on [date]. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and we’ll return your call when we’re back.
• You’ve reached [Name]. I’m out of the office celebrating Christmas and will be back on [date]. For anything urgent, please call [Alternative Contact] at [number].
• Thanks for calling [Company]. We’re closed for the holiday season and will reopen on [date]. Leave a message after the tone, or email us at [address] for a faster response.
• Hi, this is [Name]. I’m away for the Christmas break until [date]. Please leave a detailed message, and I’ll call you back as soon as I return.

Office Closure and Shutdown Notices

Some businesses close entirely for the Christmas period, with every employee away at the same time. In that case, your message reads more like a company-wide notice, since it speaks on behalf of the whole organization to every contact who reaches out during the closure.

• Our office will be closed from [date] through [date] for the Christmas holidays. All staff will return on [date], and we’ll respond to messages in the order received starting that day.
• In observance of the Christmas holiday, [Company] will be closed from [date] to [date]. Orders and inquiries submitted during this time will be processed when we reopen.
• Please note: our team is on a company-wide holiday shutdown from [date] to [date]. For emergencies, contact [Alternative Contact/Department]. We wish you a wonderful holiday season.
• This is an automated notice that [Company] offices are closed for the Christmas holidays. Normal operations resume on [date].

Part 2Crafting Your Holiday Out-of-Office Message

These phrases can be used to include key details:

• For urgent matters, please contact [name] at [email/phone].
• I’ll have limited access to email until [date].
• Our office is closed from [date] to [date].
• For sales inquiries, please email [address].
• I’ll respond to messages when I return on [date].
• Our customer service team is available at [phone/email].
• For immediate assistance, call our main office at [number].
• Check our website for holiday hours and updates.
• Orders placed after [date] will be processed when we reopen.
• For emergencies only, you can reach me at [phone].
• Please do not hesitate to contact [name] for anything urgent.
• Messages will be answered in the order they were received once I’m back.

You can add some holiday spirit to your message with these cheerful phrases:

• Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!
• Sending warm wishes for the holidays!
• Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
• Enjoy the festive season!
• Have a wonderful holiday!
• Best wishes for a joyous holiday season!
• Wishing you a happy holiday season!
• Happy Holidays!
• Best wishes for the holidays!
• May your holidays be filled with joy and laughter.
• Wishing you peace and happiness this holiday season.
• May your days be merry and bright.
• Enjoy the festivities and good cheer!
• Spreading holiday cheer your way!
• Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
• Wishing you a season filled with warmth, rest, and good company.

Christmas Quotes to Add a Personal Touch

A short, well-known line can warm up an otherwise routine notice, as long as it fits the tone of your workplace and your relationship with the recipient.

• “Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” – inspired by Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• “May your days be merry and bright.” – a classic holiday sentiment
• “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family.” – a well-known holiday saying
• “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” – Charles M. Schulz

Part 3Key Components to Include in Your Message

A good Christmas out-of-office message lets people know when you’ll be back and who to contact if they need help right away.

Some important parts to include are:

1. Listing Your Return Date

Let people know exactly when you’ll be back at work. This helps them plan and know when to expect a reply.

Examples

• “I’ll be back in the office on January 2nd.”
• “Returning to work on Monday, December 28th.”
• “Back at my desk on Tuesday, January 3rd.”
• “I’ll respond to messages starting January 4th.”
• “Resuming regular work hours on December 27th.”
• “Available again on Thursday, December 29th.”
• “Back online January 5th.”
• “Returning from holiday break on January 2nd.”
• “I’ll be checking emails again on December 30th.”
• “Back to business as usual on January 3rd.”
• “Office reopens January 6th; I’ll respond to emails in the order received.”
• “On leave from December 23rd through January 1st, returning January 2nd.”

If you work with international clients or teammates, consider noting your time zone alongside your return date. “Back on January 2nd (GMT)” avoids confusion for anyone reading your message from a different part of the world.

Providing Alternative Contacts for Urgent Matters

You can give people someone else to reach out to if they need help right away. This keeps things moving while you’re away.

• “For urgent matters, please contact Jane at jane@exampleemail.com.”
• “If you need immediate assistance, reach out to Tom at 555-1234.”
• “Susan (susan@exampleemail.com) can help with any pressing issues.”
• “For time-sensitive requests, contact our team at support@exampleemail.com.”
• “Please direct urgent inquiries to Mark at extension 5678.”
• “Emma (emma@exampleemail.com) is available for any immediate concerns.”
• “For critical matters, call our main office at 555-5678.”
• “Urgent requests can be sent to urgenthelp@exampleemail.com.”
• “John (john@exampleemail.com) is on call for any emergencies.”
• “If it can’t wait, please contact Lisa at 555-8765.”
• “Please do not hesitate to contact our support team at support@exampleemail.com for anything urgent.”
• “My manager, [Name], can assist with anything time-sensitive at [email].”

Specifying Office Closure Dates

When your entire office closes for the holidays, state both the closing date and the reopening date clearly. This differs from an individual out-of-office message, since it applies to every contact who reaches out during the closure, including customers who might not know your company’s holiday schedule ahead of time.

• “Our office will be closed from December 23rd to January 2nd.”
• “We will be closed for the holidays starting December 24th and reopening January 2nd.”
• “Please note our annual holiday closure runs from December 22nd through January 1st.”
• “Our team is on annual leave from [date] to [date] and will resume normal hours on [date].”

Choosing the Right Tone for Your Audience

The right tone depends on who is reading the message:

• External clients and vendors often respond best to a polished, professional tone. Keep sentences short, skip slang, and stick to the facts: your return date and an alternative contact.
• Internal teammates may appreciate something warmer or more casual, including a personal touch or a shared team joke if it fits your workplace culture.
• Public-facing or customer service accounts benefit from a neutral, brand-appropriate tone that skips religious references in favor of “holiday season” phrasing, so the message feels welcoming to every customer.

Part 4Setting up Your Automatic Reply in Outlook and Gmail

Writing the perfect message matters, but it only works if it actually goes out on time. Here is how to schedule it in the two most common email platforms.

Scheduling an Out-of-Office Reply in Outlook

1. Open Automatic Replies. In Outlook desktop, go to File > Automatic Replies (Out of Office). In Outlook on the web, click the gear icon and select Automatic Replies.
2. Turn on automatic replies and set your dates. Check “Send automatic replies” and enter your start and end dates so the message turns off by itself when you return.
3. Write separate messages for inside and outside your organization. Outlook lets you set one message for coworkers and a different one for external senders, which is useful if you want to share a direct extension only with colleagues.
4. Save and test. Send yourself a test email from a personal account to confirm the reply triggers correctly before you log off for the holidays.

Scheduling a Vacation Responder in Gmail

1. Open Settings. Click the gear icon, then “See all settings,” and scroll to “Vacation responder.”
2. Turn on the vacation responder and set your dates. Gmail automatically stops sending replies after your end date, so there is no need to remember to turn it off manually.
3. Write your subject and message. Keep the subject line simple, such as “Out of Office Until [date],” so it is easy to scan in a crowded inbox.
4. Choose who receives it. Gmail lets you limit the responder to your contacts only, which can help filter out newsletters and promotional emails from triggering an automatic reply.

Set your out-of-office message the day before you leave. Early meetings or a rushed exit on the last workday can make it easy to forget, and a message that goes live a few hours late defeats the purpose.

Part 5Handling Urgent Communications During Your Absence

When you’re away for the holidays, it’s important to have a plan for urgent matters. This helps keep things running smoothly and gives you peace of mind during your break.

Establishing Protocols for Urgent Needs

If applicable, you can set up a system to handle urgent messages while you’re out of the office: pick a trusted coworker to be your point person. Give them a list of what counts as urgent and what can wait until you’re back.

Make sure your out-of-office message includes who to contact for urgent matters. You might say something like: “For urgent issues, please contact Jane Smith at jane@exampleemail.com.”

If you’re expecting an important message, tell the sender who to contact in your absence. A quick heads-up email before you leave can save a lot of trouble later.

A few extra steps can make the handoff smoother for everyone involved:

• Share login access or documentation your point person might need for anything they could be asked to handle.
• Set up email forwarding rules for specific senders or subject lines, so truly urgent messages land directly in your backup contact’s inbox.
• Give a heads-up to key clients before you leave if you know a deadline or deliverable falls during your absence.
• Update your team calendar or chat status in addition to your email auto-reply, since not everyone checks email first.

Deciding How Often to Check Email While Away

Some people prefer to disconnect fully over Christmas, and others feel calmer checking messages once a day. Decide which approach fits your role, and be honest about it in your message. Promising a quick response you cannot deliver tends to create more frustration than simply saying you will be offline.

• If you plan to check email once a day, say so directly: “I’ll check email once daily and respond to anything urgent.”
• If you’re fully disconnecting, say that too, and lean on your alternative contact for anything time-sensitive.
• If your role involves client-facing deadlines, consider a shorter check-in window around key dates, such as invoice due dates or contract renewals that fall during the break.

Part 6Adapting Out-of-Office Messages for Other Leave

Christmas is far from the only reason you will need an out-of-office reply. The same basic structure, a return date, an alternative contact, and a warm closing line, works for almost any absence with small adjustments to tone.

Sick Leave Out-of-Office Messages

A sick leave message needs less detail than a holiday message. Keep it brief, skip the reason if you prefer to keep things private, and point people to a colleague for anything urgent.

• I’m out sick today and catching up on messages as soon as I’m able. For anything urgent, please contact [Alternative Contact].
• I am on leave today due to illness. I’ll respond to your message when I’m back.
• Currently out on sick leave. For time-sensitive matters, reach out to [Alternative Contact] at [email/phone].

Vacation and Travel Out-of-Office Messages

Travel often comes with limited connectivity, so it helps to be upfront about slower response times and set realistic expectations for when you will reply.

• I’m traveling with limited access to email until [date]. I’ll respond to messages as connectivity allows.
• Currently on vacation and mostly offline until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact].
• I’m away on a trip through [date] and checking email only occasionally. Thank you for your patience.

Single-Day and Short Absences

Not every out-of-office reply needs a return date weeks away. A single day out, whether for a doctor’s appointment, a company holiday party, or a personal day, calls for a short and simple note.

• I’m on leave today and will respond to your message tomorrow.
• Out of the office today for a team holiday celebration. I’ll be back online tomorrow morning.
• Away from my desk today. I’ll reply to your message as soon as I’m back.

Templates for Other Holidays and Time Off

The same approach carries over to other holidays throughout the year, from Thanksgiving to summer bank holidays.

• Our office is closed in observance of Thanksgiving and will reopen on [date].
• I’m out of the office for the 4th of July holiday and will return on [date].
• Our team is off for the bank holiday and will be back to normal hours on [date].

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write a Christmas out of office message?

Keep it to three or four sentences: a brief greeting, your return date, an alternative contact for anything urgent, and a short closing wish. Adjust the wording depending on whether the recipient is a client, vendor, or coworker.

What should I write for a combined Christmas and New Year out of office message?

Mention both the start of your leave and the exact date you return in January, so recipients know the full window you are away rather than assuming you are back right after Christmas Day.

Can I use a funny out of office message for Christmas?

Yes, when your workplace culture supports it. Humor tends to work well for internal messages and clients you know well, while a more traditional tone often serves external contacts you have not worked with closely.

How do I write a neutral holiday message that does not mention Christmas directly?

Use phrasing like “holiday season,” “end of year,” or “in observance of the holidays” instead of naming a specific holiday. This keeps the message welcoming for recipients who may celebrate differently or not at all.

How far in advance should I turn on my Christmas out-of-office reply?

Turn it on the day before you leave rather than the morning of, since last-minute meetings or a rushed exit can make it easy to forget. Scheduling your start and end dates in advance, if your email platform supports it, removes the risk entirely.

Do I need a different message for phone calls than for email?

A phone or voicemail greeting works better when it is shorter than an email reply. Lead with your return date and an alternative contact, since callers cannot skim the message the way an email reader can.

What if my whole office is closed for Christmas, rather than just me being away?

Write it as a company-wide notice instead of a personal message. Include the exact closure window, both the closing and reopening dates, and a general department contact for emergencies if one exists.

Should I always mention who to contact for urgent matters?

In most cases, yes, especially for client-facing or customer service roles. Small teams without a dedicated backup can simply note that responses will resume on your return date instead.

What should I put in an out-of-office message for a single day off, like a company Christmas party?

Keep it short and specific: mention that you are out for the day and will respond the next business day. There is no need for an alternative contact or a long holiday greeting for a one-day absence.

What’s a good out-of-office message if I’m out sick during the holidays?

A brief, neutral message works well: state that you are out and will respond upon your return, without needing to explain further. Point people to a colleague only if your absence could affect something time-sensitive.