Taking a break? Off to a work event? Battling the flu? Well, brace yourself for the task of crafting that inevitable “out of office” message. Writing it can be dull, and let’s face it, most folks won’t be thrilled to receive it when they are expecting a real response. But what if we told you there’s a way to turn this necessary evil into an opportunity to connect with people in an informative, memorable, and even fun way? Imagine if they weren’t disappointed to get your away message instead of you.
Crafting the Perfect Out-of-Office Vacation Message
If you’re ready to stand out, we’ve compiled ten uproarious out-of-office messages that will inspire you to elevate your game the next time you face the autoresponder challenge.
Out-of-Office Vacation Message Mastery
An out-of-office message, in essence, is like an automatic email bouncer, politely informing senders that the inbox is currently on a temporary hiatus. Every new email prompts the out-of-office message, reaching the original sender directly. Most email providers offer this feature, allowing users to activate it and customize their witty or informative replies. But what exactly should your out-of-office message include?
Cracking the Code: Crafting the Perfect OOO Email
Let’s break down the basics of a stellar OOO email. In your away message, cover the essentials:
- A swift “I’m out of the office” heads-up.
- The dates or timeframe of your absence.
- Contact information for someone to reach out to in case of urgency.
- A friendly sign-off.
Combine these elements, and your autoresponder might read something like this:
“Hey there,
Thanks for your email. I’m currently out of office until mm/dd/yyyy. If you need help, email my colleague at colleague@example.com.
Best,
[Name]”
But, let’s be honest, that sounds a bit dull. Fortunately, we have some tricks up our sleeves to inject humor into your OOO message at just the right moments.
Crafting Laughter: Elevating Your Out-of-Office Game
“Lost in the Wilderness” – Embracing Nature’s Call
If you’re trekking through remote mountains, why not poke fun at your lack of WiFi? A touch of humor here not only lightens the mood but manages expectations, ensuring people don’t pester you for an instant response.
Example: “Hi there,
Sorry I missed you — I’m unable to get to my email right this second. Why? I’m on a backpacking trip, surviving on Spam, really good water, and trail mix. You should see the stars out here.
I’ll get back to you when I return to civilization. Or to an area with WiFi. Or to the office on May 10th. Whichever comes first.
If you need help right now, email my team at team@example.com.”
“Florida Dreaming” – Turning Vacation into a Scavenger Hunt
Transform your absence into a clever scavenger hunt. Make it clear you won’t be checking emails, and if someone really needs you, they better follow the trail.
Example: “Hey!
I’m on vacation until July 18th. If you need to reach me, here’s what you’ll need to do:First, travel to my homeland of Florida. Climb to the highest peak of the tallest mountain. Find a rare flower (no specifics, of course… It’d be cheating).
Put the flower back, because as the old hiking rule goes, “Leave everything as you found it.”
When you understand that flower, you’ll know to reach me. Trust me. You’ll know.
If your message requires a response faster than that, please email my manager at manager@example.com.”
“Thrilled Vacationer” – Turning Good News and Bad News into a Jovial Update
Express your vacation excitement and apologize for the inconvenience, all while maintaining a cheerful tone.
Example: “Hey there — I’ve got good and bad news for you. Let’s go with the bad first.The bad news is that I’m out of office. The good news is that I’m out of office and enjoying elotes in Cancún.
If you can’t wait for a response, my colleague will be happy to take care of you. Just email them at someone@example.com.I’ll be back on February 7th.”
“Beach Chiller” – Minimalistic Yet Impactful
Keep it short and sweet, emphasizing your unavailability with a touch of humor. However, ensure this suits your audience and workplace dynamics.
Example: “I am currently out of the office and probably chilling on the beach. Enjoy your work week.”
“Guess My Location” – Adding a Playful Element
Make your absence a guessing game. It adds a personal touch, making your autoresponder memorable.Example: “Hello there,I’m currently out of the office, enjoying some peanuts and Cracker Jacks with my family. Can you guess where I am? That’s okay, you’re busy.If your message is urgent, fear not — we’ll get it addressed. Try doing one of two things:Send me an email at TheresNoCryingInBaseball@example.com. Just kidding. That’s not a real email address. Reach out to my manager at manager@example.com in my absence.I’ll be back in the office on 7/19 and will happily respond then. Have a great weekend!”
Holiday Havoc: Festive Out-of-Office Shenanigans
“Festive Warning” – Caution: Holiday Debauchery Ahead
When you’re out for the holidays, how about warning people about the impending revelry? It adds a touch of mischief while keeping things light.
Example: “Hey there,
Careful. Holiday revelry and debauchery ahead. Proceed with caution (if you dare).
By which I mean to say: I’m on holiday, I’m definitely sunburnt, and I’m sorry I missed your email.
Don’t you worry: while I pretend to be Santa in front of my kids, my colleague, Hannah, will cover for me. Just email her at hannah@example.com if you need urgent assistance.
Take care, and don’t get too carried away with the sunbathing!”
“Present Appreciation” – Thank You for Your Email Gift
Add a hint of passive-aggressive humor by treating every email as a present. This one is on theme for the holiday season.
Example: “Hey there,
Thank you so much for your email. I love it already. It’s wrapped so nicely in its charming subject line that I just knew this message was going to be something special. Gifts like these just don’t come around every day.
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to return your message. As it’s the holiday season, I’m currently away from the office. When I return, I’ll give your email a good solid read and find that your request is exactly what I needed after all! But until then, I’m going to keep it in the inbox so it doesn’t get damaged and revisit it after the holidays are over.
Happy holidays!”
Quiz Time: Turning Absence into Engagement
“Die Hard Quiz” – Action-Packed Email Fun
Turn the tables on email senders with a holiday-themed quiz. It engages recipients while subtly informing them of your absence.
Example: “Sorry I missed you. I’ll be out of the office and slow to respond until after the break. While I have you, though, help settle an argument among my colleagues and me:
Die Hard Quiz
What was the best Die Hard movie?
Die Hard 1: The Office Christmas Party Gone Wrong. Die Hard 2: Airport Conspiracy. Die Hard 3: Samuel L. Jackson. Enough said. Die Hard 4: Cyberthreat. Die Hard 5: You should probably not pick this one. Impossible! It’s like choosing a favorite child! Submit”
“Gratitude List” – Thankful Thoughts During Thanksgiving
Express your gratitude in a light-hearted way during Thanksgiving. It adds a personal touch while keeping the tone cheerful.
Example: “Since I’m out of the office for the Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll respond to your email with a list of 10 things I’m thankful for:
- Copiers that collate
- Co-workers that brew more coffee when they empty the pot
- Donuts on Mondays AND Fridays
- When IT surprised me with a new laptop AND remembered to transfer my files
- When You-Know-Who died at the end of book 7
- Dry-erase boards that actually erase
- The brave soul who cleaned out the refrigerator
- When I’m early to an all-staff meeting and score a seat near the door
- HR finally sent a memo telling people to STOP clipping their nails at their desk
- OOO autoresponders
Have a great Thanksgiving, and I’ll get back to you Monday.”
Office Oasis: Witty Out-of-Office Messages When Working from Home
“Couch Potato Chronicles” – Vacation at Home
If you’re on vacation but staying home, let your clients or coworkers know you’re not just around the corner. Set the tone with a touch of humor.
Example: “Hey,
Thanks for your email. I’m on vacation. On the couch. Eating chips. And bingeing Stranger Things for the eighth time (don’t tell anyone).
Unfortunately, I can’t answer your email (even though my office is three feet away). I’ll get back to you once I’m back from my long-awaited trip to the fridge. Bought tickets on TripAdvisor and everything.
I’ll be back in the office on the third and will get back to you then.”
“Alexa, Take a Break” – Vacation Soundtrack
Own an Alexa? Use it to add a playful touch to your out-of-office message. It’s a fun way to remind people that you’re enjoying your time off.
Example: “Alexa, play Vacation by Dirty Heads.”
And… it’s playing in the background as I write this email. Guess what? I’m on vacation! And I do love my occupation.
Your email has been received and I’ll get back to you as soon as I get back to my home office. Now, how do I turn off this Alexa thing?”
“Special Delivery” – You’re the Package
Turn yourself into a UPS package on a vacation delivery mission. It adds a whimsical touch to your absence.
Example: “Hey — you’ve reached my inbox, but hold on, the doorbell just rang. It’s the UPS driver. He’s loading me onto the truck. Dang, it’s stuffy in this truck with all these boxes. He’s taking me down to… Oh! Florida! And now I’m on the beach. Thanks, UPS driver!
The UPS driver is scheduled to pick me back up on the eighth. He should deliver me back to the office by the ninth (assuming he’s not late like he was this time).
Don’t worry — I’ll wrap myself in bubble wrap so nothing breaks.”
Crafting Humor Professionally
“Balancing Act” – How to Be Funny Yet Professional
Crafting humorous out-of-office messages is an art. Here are a few tips to maintain professionalism while injecting humor:
- Keep content PG to PG13
- Make it clear you’re joking with emojis or laughter
- Be lighthearted
- Avoid poking fun at others
- Ensure your humor aligns with your audience
The Final Countdown: Writing Your Own Funny OOO Message
“Craft Your Vacation Tale” – Your Turn to Shine
Feeling inspired by these creative out-of-office messages? It’s time to craft your own. Let your personality shine through and make your upcoming vacation memorable for both you and your audience.
