Three holiday out-of-office templates - Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year, or any closure. Sets a warm tone, gives a real coverage contact, doesn't wish anyone "happy holidays" if you don't actually mean it.
Quick answer
A good holiday OOO message states the closure dates, lists a coverage contact for emergencies, and includes a brief warm note appropriate to the season - but doesn't over-do the cheer. Use Template 1 for Christmas/winter break, Template 2 for Thanksgiving and one-day holidays, Template 3 for any holiday in a brief style.
Template 1 - Christmas / extended winter break
Christmas
Hello,
Thank you for your email. Our office is closed for the holidays from [start date] until [return date]. I will not be checking email during this time.
For urgent matters, please contact [colleague name] at [colleague email].
I'll respond to your message in the order received when I return. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season.
Best,
[Your name]
Template 2 - Thanksgiving / one-day holiday
Thanksgiving
Hi,
I'm out of office today for [holiday name] and will be back on [return date]. For urgent matters, please reach [colleague name] at [colleague email]. Otherwise I'll respond when I'm back tomorrow.
Happy [holiday] to you and yours.
[Your name]
Template 3 - Brief, any holiday
Brief
Out of office for [holiday] - back [return date]. Urgent: [colleague], [email]. Otherwise I'll reply when I'm back.
- [Your name]
What makes a holiday OOO different from a vacation OOO
The recipient also knows it's a holiday. No need to over-explain.
Acknowledging the season is fine. "Happy Thanksgiving" is human; "may this season bring you joy" is overdoing it.
Coverage matters less for one-day holidays. Tomorrow is fine. Don't burden a colleague for a one-day absence.
Office-wide closures are different. If your whole company is closed, say so. Coverage contact may be a help@ or info@ inbox.
Don't tell people what holiday to celebrate. "Happy holidays" or naming the specific holiday you're observing is fine; mandating someone else's observance isn't.
// Office closed Dec 23 – Jan 2?
Route emergencies to the right person - not just any colleague.
For multi-week holiday closures, "contact one coverage email" overloads one person. OutOfOfficePro routes by issue type: emergencies to your operations lead, billing to AR, urgent client matters to the partner on call. $9.99/month.
Our office is closed on [holiday] [date] in observance of the holiday. I will return on [return date] and reply to your message then. For urgent matters, please contact [colleague] at [email].
OOO message for a holiday, short
Out of office for [holiday]. Back [return date]. Urgent: [colleague], [email].
Holiday type
Say
Return
Company closure
"Our office is closed for [holiday]"
First business day after
Personal day off
"I am out for [holiday]"
Next workday
Long weekend
"Out Friday through Monday"
Tuesday
Updated 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write in my out of office for a holiday?
The holiday name, the day you return, and a contact for urgent matters.