25+ Holiday Out-of-Office Message Templates & Examples (2026)

The holiday season brings time off, but it shouldn’t bring email overload when you return. An out-of-office message does more than acknowledge you’re away—it manages expectations, directs urgent matters to the right person, and sets a tone that ranges from professional to playful.

We’ve compiled 25+ templates across every major holiday and style. Pick one, customize it with your contact info, and set your auto-reply. Most take under two minutes to deploy.

How to set up out-of-office in Outlook and Gmail

Outlook desktop (Windows and Mac)

1. Open Outlook and choose File
2. Select Automatic Replies (or Out of Office on older versions)
3. Check Send automatic replies
4. Set your time range: Start time and End time
5. Paste your message in the Inside My Organization field
6. Click OK

If you want to send a different message to external recipients, fill in the Outside My Organization field before saving.

Outlook web

1. Log into Outlook.com or your company’s Office 365 account
2. Click the gear icon and choose View all Outlook settings
3. Go to Mail →†’ Automatic replies
4. Turn on Automatic replies
5. Set your start and end dates
6. Paste your message and click Save

Gmail

1. Open Gmail and click the gear icon
2. Choose See all settings
3. Go to the General tab and scroll to Vacation responder
4. Check Vacation responder on
5. Set your start and end dates (time optional)
6. Enter your subject and message
7. Click Save changes

Gmail sends the same message to all senders. If you need different replies for internal vs. external recipients, use a third-party tool like TextExpander to manage multiple templates and deploy them quickly.

Holiday-specific out-of-office message templates

New Year’s Day

Professional

I’m out of the office starting January 1st and will return on [DATE]. I’m spending this time with family and won’t have email access. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’m back in the office. Happy New Year!

Casual

Out celebrating the start of 2026 until [DATE]. No email, only resolutions (which I’ll probably break by next week). Hit up [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] if things get urgent. See you when I’m back!

MLK Day

Professional

I’m observing MLK Day on [DATE] and will be out of the office. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thank you.

Casual

Out observing MLK Day. Back [DATE]. Reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] if you need something urgent.

Presidents Day

I’m out for Presidents Day on [DATE] and will return [DATE]. I won’t be checking email during this time. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

Easter

Professional

I’m out of the office observing Easter from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to emails then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Have a happy Easter!

Casual

Hopping away for Easter! Out until [DATE]. Reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] if you need something urgent. Otherwise, I’ll catch up when I’m back.

Passover

I’m out of the office observing Passover from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Chag Kasher Sameach!

Holi

I’m out of the office celebrating Holi on [DATE] and will return [DATE]. I won’t have email access during this time. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

Memorial Day

Professional

I’m out observing Memorial Day on [DATE] and will return [DATE]. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. I’ll respond to your email as soon as I’m back in the office.

Casual

Out for Memorial Day weekend. Back [DATE]. Reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] for urgent stuff. Otherwise, I’ll be back in touch soon.

Juneteenth

I’m out observing Juneteenth on [DATE]. I’ll return [DATE] and respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thank you.

Independence Day (July 4th)

Professional

I’m out of the office for Independence Day on [DATE] and will return [DATE]. I won’t be checking email during this time. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

Casual

Out celebrating Independence Day! Back [DATE]. For urgent stuff, contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Otherwise, I’ll catch up with you when I’m back.

Labor Day

Professional

I’m out observing Labor Day on [DATE] and will return [DATE]. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. I’ll respond to your email as soon as I’m back.

Casual

Out for Labor Day weekend. Back [DATE]. Reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] if you need something urgent.

Columbus Day & Indigenous Peoples’ Day

I’m out of the office on [DATE] and will return [DATE]. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. I’ll respond to your email as soon as I’m back.

Veterans Day

I’m out observing Veterans Day on [DATE]. I’ll return [DATE] and respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thank you for your service.

Diwali

I’m out of the office celebrating Diwali from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return [DATE] and respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Happy Diwali!

Thanksgiving

Professional

I’m out of the office for Thanksgiving from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Happy Thanksgiving!

Casual

Out eating turkey and giving thanks until [DATE]. Reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] if you need something urgent. Otherwise, I’ll be back in touch soon!

Christmas & Holiday Season

Professional

I’m out of the office for the holiday season from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Happy holidays!

Casual

Out spreading holiday cheer until [DATE]. No email, just eggnog and family time. Reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] if it’s urgent. Merry everything!

Chinese/Lunar New Year

I’m out of the office celebrating Lunar New Year from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Eid al-Fitr

I’m out of the office celebrating Eid al-Fitr from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Eid Mubarak!

Kwanzaa

I’m out of the office celebrating Kwanzaa from [DATE] to [DATE]. I’ll return on [DATE] and will respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Happy Kwanzaa!

Generic out-of-office message templates by style

Basic

I’m out of the office and will return on [DATE]. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

Out of the office until [DATE]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I return. For urgent matters, reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

I’m away and will return on [DATE]. I’ll respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

Out of office from [START DATE] to [END DATE]. For urgent issues, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thank you.

Call-if-you-need-to

I’m out of the office until [DATE] but I’m checking email sporadically. If it’s truly urgent, you can reach me at [PHONE NUMBER]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you when I return.

Out of the office [DATE]-[DATE]. I’m not available for most matters, but in case of emergency, contact [CONTACT NAME] at [PHONE/EMAIL]. Otherwise, I’ll respond when I’m back.

Ultra-brief

Out until [DATE]. Reach [CONTACT NAME] for urgent matters.

Away [DATE]-[DATE]. Contact [CONTACT NAME] for urgent issues.

Friendly

I’m out of the office and I’m really looking forward to some time away. I’ll be back on [DATE] and will respond to you then. If something urgent comes up, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thanks!

Internal (for colleagues only)

Out until [DATE]. Check with [CONTACT NAME] for any [TEAM/PROJECT] updates. I’ll catch up when I’m back!

Company holiday

Our office is closed for the holiday and will reopen on [DATE]. I’ll respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please contact [COMPANY GENERAL CONTACT]. Thank you and happy holidays!

Festive

Tis the season to be away from email. I’ll return [DATE] and respond to all messages then. For urgent matters, reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. May your day be merry and bright!

Funny out-of-office messages

A little humor works well if your workplace is casual enough to support it. These walk the line between funny and professional—use your judgment about whether they fit your company culture.

I’m out of the office and have set my email to auto-delete. Just kidding. I’ll return [DATE] and respond to your email then. For urgent matters, contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

I’m out of the office and out of cell service, which means I’m finally living my best life. Back [DATE]. For urgent stuff, reach [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

I’m out of the office doing what I do best: nothing. I’ll be back [DATE] and ready to do my second-best thing: answering emails. For urgent matters, contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

I’m out of the office and pretending my inbox doesn’t exist. Back [DATE]. In the meantime, [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL] can help with urgent stuff.

Vacation and sick day templates

Vacation:

I’m on vacation from [DATE] to [DATE] and won’t have email access. I’ll respond to your message when I return. For urgent matters, please contact [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL].

Sick day:

I’m out sick today and will return [DATE]. I’ll respond to your email then. For urgent matters, please reach out to [CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thank you.

Holiday greetings and sign-offs

Customize your out-of-office message with these festive phrases. Most email clients support TextExpander Snippets, so you can save these as shortcuts and insert them with a few keystrokes.

• Happy New Year!
• Gong Xi Fa Cai!
• Happy Lunar New Year!
• Eid Mubarak!
• Chag Kasher Sameach!
• Happy Passover!
• Holi Hai!
• Happy Easter!
• Blessed Juneteenth!
• Happy Independence Day!
• Happy Thanksgiving!
• Merry Christmas!
• Happy Holidays!
• Happy Kwanzaa!
• Happy Diwali!

These sign-offs work in the closing line of your message. For example: “Looking forward to catching up with you. Happy Holidays!”

Tips for writing effective out-of-office messages

• Include a return date. People want to know when you’ll be back. If you don’t have an exact date, say “on or about [DATE].”
• Name a backup contact. Don’t leave people guessing who to reach. Give them a specific name, title, and email or phone number.
• Keep it brief. One paragraph is ideal. Three sentences is the sweet spot: when you’re back, who to contact, and one friendly closing.
• Use your template across platforms. Save your out-of-office message as a Snippet in TextExpander so you can deploy it the same way in Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, and everywhere else.
• Set accurate date ranges. Make sure your auto-reply is configured to turn on and off on the dates you specify. Nothing worse than getting responses to an out-of-office message six months after you’re back.
• Check tone against your industry. Law firms and healthcare practices should stay formal. Creative agencies and tech companies have more room for personality.

How TextExpander handles out-of-office messages

An out-of-office message isn’t just something you write once and forget. It changes with every holiday, every season, every time zone you travel to. That means managing multiple templates—and remembering which one is which.

TextExpander lets you save your out-of-office templates as reusable Snippets. Type a shortcut like “xmasooo” and your full Christmas message populates instantly. No copy-paste. No typos. No forgetting which template you needed.

Create a Snippet group for “Out-of-Office Messages” and populate it with every template you use. Share the group with your team so everyone has the same templates—same phrasing, same tone, same contact information. When someone goes on leave, they just pick a Snippet and they’re done.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up an out-of-office message in Outlook?

In Outlook, go to File → Automatic Replies (or Out of Office). Enable automatic replies, set your time range, and paste your message. You can customize messages for internal and external recipients. Save and Outlook will send your auto-reply during the dates you specified.

Should I send different out-of-office messages to internal and external recipients?

Yes, if your email system supports it. Internal messages can be brief and assume familiarity with your team. External messages should be more formal and include a backup contact (preferably with a title). Outlook and Gmail can both support this—Outlook calls it “Inside/Outside My Organization,” and Gmail uses labels or filters to distinguish recipients.

What should a holiday out-of-office message include?

A good holiday out-of-office message includes:

• A statement that you’re out
• The specific dates you’ll be away
• When you’ll return and respond to emails
• A contact name and email for urgent matters
• A brief holiday greeting

Keep it brief, three sentences or fewer.

Can I use humor in an out-of-office message?

Yes, if your workplace culture supports it. Casual companies, creative teams, and tech-forward industries often appreciate a little personality in auto-replies. Formal environments like law, finance, and healthcare should stick to professional tone. Know your audience and your company’s norms.

What’s the difference between a vacation message and a holiday message?

A holiday message acknowledges a specific holiday or religious observance. A vacation message is generic time off. Holiday messages often include themed greetings (“Happy Thanksgiving!”). Vacation messages focus on when you’ll return and who can help in your absence.

How long should an out-of-office message be?

One paragraph is ideal. Aim for 2-4 sentences. Include dates, contact info, and one friendly closing. Anything longer than that gets skipped. People want the essential info fast: When are you back? Who can help right now?

How do I save out-of-office messages so I can reuse them?

Save each message as a Snippet in TextExpander with a memorable abbreviation like “xmasooo” for Christmas. Create a Snippet group called “Out-of-Office Messages” and populate it with all your templates. When you need to set your auto-reply, just type the abbreviation and the full message populates instantly.