16 creative Christmas out of office messages for your next break

The holidays are coming and it’s time to sleigh your out of office game. Whether you’re dashing through the snow or just switching off for some well-earned rest, the right message helps you set boundaries and spread a little festive cheer. Use our free Christmas out of office templates to make your sign-off tree-mendous this season and return to work refreshed, not frazzled. This small action makes a huge impact, managing expectations for those trying to reach you while you’re away.

This guide is packed with creative templates to help you craft the perfect festive auto-responder. Whether you need something strictly professional, warm and friendly or a little bit funny, you’ll find an option that fits your workplace culture and personality. 

Even Santa needs a good out of office so make yours shine brighter than the star on top of the tree.

Why set a Christmas out of office message?

Switching on your out of office message is more than just a formality; it’s a strategic move to protect your peace of mind and manage professional relationships. A well-crafted message sets clear boundaries, letting senders know you are away and won’t be responding immediately. This simple act manages their expectations from the outset, preventing follow-up emails and reducing the sender’s anxiety about whether their message was received.

For you, it means freedom from the constant ping of notifications and the pressure to check your inbox. By taking control of your availability, you give yourself permission to fully disengage, which is essential for preventing burnout and promoting genuine rest. It also spreads a little festive goodwill. A thoughtful holiday message can bring a smile to someone’s face, strengthening your professional connections in a human and authentic way.

Now that you know why it’s so important, let’s look at the essential components of an effective Christmas out of office message.

What to include in a Christmas out of office message

Crafting a great auto-reply is simple. It’s about providing clear, concise information that leaves no room for confusion. Overlooking a key detail can lead to workplace friction or missed opportunities, so make sure your message ticks all the right boxes.

Here are the four essential elements to include:

1. Your return date: Be specific. State the exact date you will be back in the office and respond to emails. Phrases like “I’ll be back next week” are too vague. “I will be back in the office on Monday the 6th of January” is perfect.
2. An alternative contact: Who should people contact for urgent matters? Provide the name, job title, and email address of a colleague who can help in your absence. Always get their permission first!
3. Reassurance of a follow-up: Let the sender know you will respond upon your return. A simple sentence like, “I’ll respond to your message as soon as possible upon my return” is sufficient.
4. An optional festive touch: A simple “Happy Christmas” or “Enjoy the festive season” adds a warm, personal touch that aligns with the time of year.

Getting these details right ensures your holiday message is not only festive, but functional. This same attention to detail is crucial in other areas, like ensuring your team understands their holiday pay. For instance, correctly calculating the 52-week average for holiday pay is vital for compliance and employee trust.

With the core components covered, let’s explore some templates you can adapt for your own use.

Professional out of office messages

In sectors like law, finance and large corporate environments, maintaining a polished and professional tone is paramount, even during the holidays. Your Christmas out of office message should be clear, concise and uphold the formal standards of your industry. These templates strike the right balance between professionalism and a subtle nod to the festive season.

Here are four professional examples to use:

1. The direct approach
   Subject: Out of Office

Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office for the Christmas break, returning on [Date]. I will have limited access to my email during this period. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. Otherwise, I will respond to your message upon my return.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

2. The formal festive
   Subject: Holiday Notice

Thank you for your message. Our office is closed for the Christmas holidays. I will be back on [Date] and will respond then. If your query is urgent, please direct it to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

Wishing you a pleasant festive season.
[Your Name]

3. The team-oriented response
   Subject: Away for Christmas Break

I am out of the office from [Start Date] to [End Date]. For immediate assistance, please reach out to my colleague [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email], who is handling my responsibilities during this time. I will address all other messages upon my return.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

4. The department-focused message
   Subject: Holiday Absence

I am out of the office for the holidays, returning on [Date]. For matters related to [Your Department/Project], please email our team at [Team Email Address]. For all other urgent requests, [Colleague’s Name] can be reached at [Colleague’s Email]. I will reply to your email upon my return.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

While these professional messages are perfect for formal settings, a more relaxed tone can be more appropriate in other environments.

Friendly out of office messages

For many small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and companies with a more relaxed culture, a friendly out of office message is a great way to connect with colleagues and clients. These templates are warm, approachable and infused with festive spirit without sacrificing clarity. They help build rapport and reflect a positive, people-first workplace.

Here are four friendly templates you can adapt:

1. The warm & simple

Hi there,

Thanks for your email! I’m currently out of the office enjoying the festive break and will be back on [Date]. For anything urgent, please get in touch with the wonderful [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you as soon as I return.

Happy Christmas!
[Your Name]

2. The cheerful countdown

Hello,

It’s that time of year! I’m officially on holiday leave, soaking up all things festive until my return on [Date]. If you need help with something urgent, please contact my colleague [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

Talk to you in the new year!
[Your Name]

3. The recharge & return

Hi,

Thanks for your message. I’m taking some time to recharge my batteries over the Christmas period and will be back, fully refreshed, on [Date]. In my absence, [Colleague’s Name] is on hand for urgent matters at [Colleague’s Email]. 

Have a great holiday season,
[Your Name]

4. The team player

Hello!

I’m out of the office for the holidays, returning on [Date]. While I’m away, our fantastic team is still here to help. For anything urgent, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
[Your Name]

These friendly messages are great for fostering a positive company culture, but what if you want to add a dash of humour? Let’s move on to some funny templates that are still safe for work.

Funny out of office messages

Injecting a bit of humour into your Christmas out of office message can be a brilliant way to show your personality and bring a moment of joy to someone’s day. The key is to keep it light, clever and appropriate for your workplace. You want to make someone chuckle, not raise an eyebrow in HR.

Here are four funny-yet-safe examples:

1. The santa’s elf

Ho ho ho!

Thanks for your email. I’m currently on loan to Santa as an honorary elf and will be back at my desk on [Date]. Until then, my colleague [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] is managing the non-North Pole operations.

Happy holidays!

2. The mince pie mission

Greetings,

I am currently on a mission to consume my body weight in mince pies. I will return to the office on [Date], hopefully successful. For anything that can’t wait, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email], who is not on a mince pie mission.

3. The hibernating human

Your email has been received. However, the recipient is currently in hibernation mode until [Date]. Please do not disturb. For urgent matters, you may risk waking my colleague [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

See you on the other side.

4. The movie marathon

Thanks for your message. I am out of the office until [Date], partaking in my annual Christmas movie marathon. Urgent requests may interrupt The Muppet Christmas Carol, so please direct them to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] at your own risk.

Funny messages are great for internal communications, but you might need a different approach when dealing with external partners.

Christmas out of office messages for clients and suppliers

When communicating with clients, suppliers and other external stakeholders, your out of office message needs to be both professional and personable. It’s an opportunity to reinforce your brand’s reliability, while also sharing a warm, festive sentiment. 

These templates are designed to manage expectations effectively and strengthen your business relationships. Before you switch it on, make sure your payroll is sorted, whether you run an on-cycle or off-cycle payroll. Having efficient payroll software can automate these processes, giving you peace of mind.

Here are four thoughtful examples for external contacts:

1. The appreciative partner
   Subject: Out of Office for the Christmas Holiday

Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office for the Christmas break, returning on [Date]. We are grateful for our partnership this year and look forward to working with you again in the new year. For urgent assistance, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

Wishing you and your team a wonderful holiday season.

2. The professional & festive
   Subject: Holiday Notice

Thank you for your message. Our offices are now closed for the festive season, and I will be back on [Date]. If your matter is urgent, please contact my colleague [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email] for assistance. Otherwise, I will respond upon my return.

Happy Christmas!

3. The clear & courteous
   Subject: Out of Office until [Return Date]

I am away from the office celebrating the holidays and will return on [Date]. For immediate support, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. I will respond to your message promptly upon my return.

Enjoy the festive season.

4. The direct support
   Subject: Away for the Holidays

I am out of the office from [Start Date] until [End Date]. During this time, I will have limited access to email. For urgent matters requiring immediate attention, please email our support team at [Team Email] or contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

Best wishes for the holidays.

With these templates, you’re ready to craft the perfect Christmas out of office message. And if you need more resources, we’ve got you covered.

Download our free holiday email templates

Ready to craft your perfect festive auto-reply? Save time and take the stress out of writing from scratch with our free Christmas out of office template pack. Whether you need something polished, friendly or fun, these ready-made messages are easy to personalise and quick to set live, so you can switch on your out of office and truly switch off for the holidays.

Download the free template pack and make your holiday sign-off stress-free.