As we near the end of the year there is no better feeling than putting your Out Of Office on. This year there is no reason why your TTFN cant be a little be more XMAS FUN. So here are our top picks of festive farewells to get your business world smiling and spread some festive cheer.
1. Rick Astley Stylee
“Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down, Never gonna run around and desert you, Never gonna make you cry, Never gonna say goodbye, Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.”I’m also never gonna reply to your message until 3rd January as I’m off on holiday.”
2. Wind Up Merchant
“I’m our of office until January and I will not be checking email. It is likely your email will be swallowed up in a sea of inbox banality, never to be seen again. If you require a response, please resend your email after the 5th January when I return.
3. Charles Dickens and a bit of Scrooge
Hellooooo . . .You’ve reached the Ghost of Holidays Future. Whose future? Yours, of course! Let me show you what it looks like. Step this way. Do you see yourself there? It’s the holidays, and yet you’re hunched over your mobile device. Yes, I know the new iPhone 13 looks pretty sweet. That’s not the point. Focus! Look at all the festivities going on around you! The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. Friends and family are gathered. There’s a lovely ham on the table with all the trimmings, including figgy pudding (whatever the heck that is). And then there’s you, sitting there in the corner alone with your phone, emailing people who’d rather be celebrating and are probably just going to ignore you until next year. Listen, I know you’re dedicated to your work, but don’t let this be your future. The holidays come just once a year. Why not take a break and recharge for a change? (No, not your phone—yourself!) Meanwhile, [Your Name] will return on [date] and will answer your email as quickly as possible. Be merry! Now, goooo . . . *spooky chain rattle* Yours very truly,
4. The Fruitcake
Did you know that emails during the holidays are a lot like fruitcakes? Nobody really wants them, but a lot of people end up receiving them anyway. I’m out of the office until [date], so leave your fruitcake (email) right here. I’ll be sure to send you a thank-you card (response) when I return. Happy Christmas
5. The Tech Break
‘Tis the season when a lot of people get to take a break from work. I’m on one such break, and that means I get to avoid email. And Excel and Drupal. And the entire suite products from Calendar to Sheets. So, although I’m sure whatever you had to tell me was insightful, inspiring, or otherwise riveting, I’m not going to read it anytime soon. Instead, I intend to gaze upon colorful lights, or the frosted shimmer of a wintry morning, anything that isn’t backlit and powered by a lithium battery. Upon my return, I’ll ease back into work life and answer emails at a pace I’m comfortable with. Unfortunately, that may not be a pace you’re comfortable with, so if it’s urgent, ping me again when my inbox reopens on [date]. Happy holidays!
6. The 100% out of reach
Thanks for your email. I’m currently out of the office, returning on [date]. I’ll respond to your message then. While I won’t be quite as far as the North Pole, I will still be completely disconnected from my inbox until my return. So, if you require immediate assistance, please send your email to [Contact Name] at [contact email]. Happy ho-ho-holidays!
7. The Film Buff
Oh hey it’s Christmas, what are you doing emailing me? I’m extremely busy watching Home Alone, Die Hard, and the 1994 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Christmas Special on repeat. I might stop for food and toilet breaks, I also might not. Regardless of my general health and hygiene over this festive season, I will be back in the office on January 2nd.