31 Out of Office Messages for the Holidays
I. Introduction: The Art of the Meaningful Digital Detox
The end of the year brings a strange mix of emotions. There’s the pride in what you’ve accomplished, the frantic rush to wrap up final projects, and beneath it all, a deep, quiet craving for rest. We often treat the out of office message for the holidays as a throwaway task-a logistical box to check just before we shut down our laptops.
But let’s reframe that.
Your auto-responder is the final professional impression you leave for the year. It’s a boundary set with kindness. It’s a declaration that you value your well-being enough to step away, which actually signals confidence and self-respect to your clients and colleagues. You deserve to disconnect completely. You’ve earned the right to be unavailable.
Whether you are a senior executive needing to model healthy work-life balance for your team, or a manager finalizing a busy quarter, the right words can make all the difference. Below, you’ll find 31 copy-and-paste templates designed to handle the logistics so you can focus on what matters: true, restorative peace.
II. The Core Strategy: Prioritizing Gratitude and Renewal
The Meaningful Digital Detox: OOO Messages for Renewal and Gratitude
Most people write auto-responders that sound robotic. They focus entirely on the fact that they are "gone." A better strategy is to focus on why you are stepping away (to recharge) and who helped you get through the year (the recipient).
By centering your message on gratitude and renewal, you turn a generic notification into a relationship-building tool.
For Key Clients and Partners (Relationship-Focused)
These templates are perfect for maintaining warmth with stakeholders who have been vital to your success this year. They acknowledge the relationship before setting the boundary.
1. The "Partnership First" Message "Thank you for your email. As we close out the year, I’m taking a moment to express my gratitude for our partnership. To enjoy the season fully with my family, I will be offline starting [Start Date] and returning [Return Date]. I look forward to continuing our work with fresh energy in the New Year."
2. The Deep Gratitude Note "I hope this message finds you finding some peace amidst the year-end rush. I am currently out of the office celebrating the holidays and will not be checking email until [Return Date]. Thank you for a wonderful year of collaboration-I am truly grateful for the work we’ve done together."
3. The Reflective Pause "I am stepping away from my inbox to reflect on a busy year and recharge for the one ahead. I will be offline from [Start Date] to [Return Date]. I appreciate your patience and look forward to connecting when I return."
4. The Client-Centric Closing "Thanks for reaching out. Our offices are closed for the holiday season so our team can enjoy well-deserved rest. I will be back at my desk on [Return Date]. Wishing you a peaceful holiday and a prosperous start to the New Year."
5. The Warm Professional "Thank you for your note. I am currently out of the office for the holidays, returning [Return Date]. While I won't be checking email, I want to leave you with my sincere thanks for your support this year. See you in January!"
6. The "Looking Forward" Message "I am currently away for the holiday break. I’ll be back on [Return Date], ready to tackle our upcoming projects. Until then, I hope you also find time to disconnect and enjoy the season."
Framing Rest as an Investment
If you struggle with the guilt of not working, these templates help. They frame your absence not as "slacking off," but as a necessary investment in your future performance. This is professional boundaries 101: clear, firm, and healthy.
7. The "Fully Present" Commitment "To be fully present with my family this holiday season, I am completely disconnecting from email until [Return Date]. I will respond to your message as soon as I return. Thank you for respecting this time for renewal."
8. The Digital Detox "I am taking a digital detox to recharge my batteries for the upcoming year. I will have no access to email from [Start Date] to [Return Date]. If your matter is urgent, please contact [Colleague Name]; otherwise, I’ll get back to you when I return refreshed."
9. The Intentional Pause "I believe that rest is essential for great work. I am taking some time away from the screen to celebrate the holidays, returning on [Return Date]. I look forward to responding to your email with full attention then."
10. The "Recharging" Notification "Thanks for your email. I’m currently out of the office, taking time to recharge and enjoy the holiday festivities. I will be back online on [Return Date]. Wishing you a restful break as well."
11. The Boundary Setter "Please note that I am offline for the holidays and will not be checking messages. I am prioritizing rest and will respond to all inquiries upon my return on [Return Date]."
12. The Fresh Start "I am out of the office until [Return Date] to ring in the New Year. I’m looking forward to connecting with fresh perspective and energy when I return."
III. Utility Templates: Speed, Clarity, and Professional Safety
Essential Out of Office Messages for Immediate Professional Use
Sometimes, you don't need poetry-you need precision. If you work in a highly regulated industry, or if you simply prefer a "strictly business" tone, these templates offer safety and speed.
Simple and Sincere: Concise Professional Templates
These are for when you need to be direct. They work well for internal teams or when you expect a high volume of cold emails.
13. The Standard Professional "Thank you for your email. I am out of the office starting [Start Date] and will return on [Return Date]. I will have limited access to email during this time."
14. The "No Access" Clarity "I am currently away for the holidays with no access to email. I will return on [Return Date]. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Contact Name] at [Email Address]."
15. The Short & Sweet "Thanks for reaching out! I’m away for the holiday season and will be back on [Return Date]. Happy Holidays!"
16. The Team Redirect "I am out of the office until [Return Date]. If you require immediate assistance regarding [Project Name], please contact [Colleague Name]. Otherwise, I will respond upon my return."
17. The Volume Acknowledgment "I am away for the holidays until [Return Date]. Please expect a slight delay in my response as I work through my inbox upon my return. Thank you for your patience."
The Witty but Warm: Adding Personality Safely
Can you be funny in an OOO message? Yes, but tread carefully. The goal is to make the recipient smile, not to question your professionalism. These templates inject a little holiday spirit without crossing the line.
18. The Seasonal Cheer "I’m currently away enjoying some holiday cheer (and likely too many cookies). I’ll be back at my desk and ready to work off the sugar rush on [Return Date]."
19. The "List Checking" Note "I’m making a list and checking it twice… but it’s my holiday shopping list, not my email. I’ll be back online on [Return Date]. Happy Holidays!"
20. The Winter Hibernation "I’ve gone into winter hibernation mode to enjoy the holidays. I’ll emerge, rested and ready to go, on [Return Date]."
21. The Gift of Time "The best gift this season is time with loved ones, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ll be back to open your email 'gift' on [Return Date]."
22. The New Year's countdown "I’m out of the office counting down to the New Year. See you in [Year]! I’ll be back on [Return Date]."
Multi-Holiday Coverage and Specific Logistical Scenarios
The end of the year is a calendar minefield-Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's. Using inclusive language like "Happy Holidays" is usually the safest bet for external emails, but you can also be specific if your company culture allows.
23. The "Closed for the Season" (Inclusive) "Our offices are closed from [Start Date] to [End Date] to allow our team to celebrate the season with their families. We will reopen on [Return Date]. Happy Holidays!"
24. The New Year Focus "Thank you for your email. I am taking time off to celebrate the New Year and will return on [Return Date]. Wishing you a prosperous start to [Year]."
25. The Extended Break "I am on extended leave for the holiday season and will not be returning until mid-January. For anything urgent, please contact [Name]. Otherwise, I look forward to reconnecting in the new year."
26. The Emergency Only "I am out of the office for the holidays. If this is a true emergency (server down, PR crisis), please text my cell at [Number]. For all other matters, I will respond on [Return Date]."
27. The Project Specific "I am away until [Return Date]. If you are emailing about the [Specific Project] launch, please direct your query to [Colleague Name] who is covering for me."
IV. Perfecting the Out of Office Message
Must-Haves for a Flawless Holiday OOO Setup
You have the body of the message, but don't neglect the setup. A great OOO message starts before the recipient even opens the email.
High-Impact OOO Email Subject Line Examples
Your subject line should be clear so people know immediately that you aren't ignoring them-you’re just unavailable.
28. The Clear & Direct "Out of Office: [Your Name] - Returning [Date]"
29. The Festive & Warm "Happy Holidays! OOO until [Return Date]"
30. The "See You Next Year" "See you in [Year]! (Out of Office)"
31. The Urgent/Alternative Info "OOO - For urgent matters contact [Colleague Name]"
Checklist: Four Elements Every OOO Needs
Before you hit "save" and shut down your computer, check these four boxes:
- Bold Your Dates: Make the start and return dates impossible to miss.
- The "Who to Call": Always provide an alternative contact. It shows you care about the sender's needs even when you aren't there to meet them.
- Manage Expectations: Be honest. If you say you have "limited access," people expect a reply. If you say "no access," they won't. "No access" is usually better for your mental health.
- A Heartfelt Closing: Don't just end with "Best." Try "Wishing you restorative peace," or "Here’s to a bright New Year."
If you want to leave a thoughtful note for your internal team before you switch on that auto-responder, you might find inspiration in our guide on Christmas messages to colleagues for a professional touch.
And if you are looking for the right words to thank your leadership for the year, explore these professional Christmas messages to a boss focused on gratitude.
V. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I turn on my holiday out of office message?
A: Ideally, turn it on a few hours before you actually leave. This gives you a buffer to finish final tasks without new requests piling up. If you are leaving on Friday, turning it on by Friday noon is a smart move.
Q: Is it unprofessional to include holiday humor in my auto-responder?
A: It depends on your industry. For creative fields or relaxed company cultures, light humor is wonderful and humanizing. If you work in law, finance, or crisis management, stick to the clear and sincere templates to maintain authority.
Q: Should I mention specific holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah?
A: If you know your audience shares those traditions, it’s lovely. However, for a general auto-responder that goes to anyone who emails you, "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" is the most inclusive and welcoming choice.
Q: Do I really need to give an emergency contact number?
A: Only if your role truly demands it. True professional boundaries mean allowing yourself to be unreachable. If you have a colleague covering for you, list their email instead of your personal cell phone number.
VI. Conclusion: Embrace the Rest
Setting your out of office message for the holidays is more than a task; it is a ritual. It marks the moment you shift from "doing" to "being."
By choosing a message that reflects gratitude and intentionality, you aren't just telling people you are away; you are telling them that you value the quality of your work enough to protect the energy required to produce it.
So, choose the template that resonates with you. Fill in the dates. Double-check your backup contact. And then, most importantly, truly disconnect. The work will be there when you get back, but this season of rest is fleeting.
If you are planning to send out physical notes before you leave, don't miss our collection of heartfelt holiday card messages to add that personal touch.
Wishing you a peaceful break and a refreshed start to the New Year.
