Holiday Voicemail Greetings - A Complete Guide for 2024

Posted on 4/3/2024

Holiday Voicemail Greetings - A Complete Guide for 2024

The holiday season brings unique opportunities to connect with callers through festive and professional voicemail greetings. This guide will help you create the perfect holiday voicemail messages that maintain professionalism while spreading seasonal cheer throughout 2024.

Why Holiday Voicemail Greetings Matter

Holiday greetings serve multiple purposes:

  • Show your business is current and attentive
  • Create a festive atmosphere
  • Inform callers about holiday hours
  • Maintain professional communication during seasonal changes

Essential Elements of Holiday Greetings

Every holiday voicemail greeting should include:

  1. Seasonal acknowledgment
  2. Business hours during the holiday
  3. Expected response time
  4. Alternative contact methods
  5. Emergency procedures (if applicable)

2024 Holiday Calendar and Sample Scripts

New Year (January)

"Happy New Year! You've reached [Company Name]. We're excited to serve you in 2024. Our regular business hours resume on January 2nd. Please leave a message, and we'll return your call within one business day. For immediate assistance, visit our website at [URL]."

Valentine's Day (February)

"Thank you for calling [Company Name]. We're spreading the love this Valentine's Day while maintaining our regular business hours. Leave a message, and we'll return your call with the same care and attention we provide year-round."

Easter (March/April)

"Hello, you've reached [Company Name]. We're observing the Easter holiday from [dates]. We'll return all messages when we return on [date]. For immediate assistance, please visit [website]."

Memorial Day (May)

"You've reached [Company Name]. We're closed for Memorial Day on [date] to honor those who served. We'll respond to all messages when we return on [date]. For urgent matters, please email [address]."

Independence Day (July)

"Thanks for calling [Company Name]. We're celebrating Independence Day on July 4th. Our office will reopen on [date]. Leave a message, and we'll get back to you then. Have a safe and happy holiday!"

Labor Day (September)

"You've reached [Company Name]. We're observing Labor Day on [date]. Please leave a message, and we'll return your call when we resume regular business hours on [date]."

Halloween (October)

"Boo! You've reached [Company Name]. We're treating our customers to the same great service this Halloween. Leave a message, and we'll get back to you faster than you can say 'trick or treat!'"

Thanksgiving (November)

"Thank you for calling [Company Name]. We're grateful for your call! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from [dates]. Please leave a message, and we'll return your call when we reopen on [date]."

Christmas/Holiday Season (December)

"Season's greetings from [Company Name]! Our office will be closed from December 24th through January 1st for the holiday season. Please leave a message, and we'll return your call when we reopen on January 2nd. For immediate assistance, please visit our website at [URL]. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!"

Best Practices for Holiday Greetings

Do's:

  • Update greetings at least a week before major holidays
  • Include specific dates for closures and reopening
  • Maintain professional tone while being festive
  • Provide alternative contact methods
  • Test the greeting before setting it live

Don'ts:

  • Use overly religious language
  • Forget to mention business hours changes
  • Leave holiday greetings active too long
  • Neglect to provide emergency contact information if relevant
  • Use humor that might be inappropriate for your business type

Setting Up Holiday Greetings in Advance

Planning Calendar

  • Create a holiday greeting calendar for the year
  • Set reminders for updating greetings
  • Prepare scripts in advance
  • Schedule greeting changes if your system allows
  • Plan for unexpected closures (weather events, etc.)

Technical Implementation Tips

  1. Recording Quality

    • Use professional recording equipment
    • Find a quiet environment
    • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
    • Review before setting live

  2. System Setup

    • Test greeting changes in advance
    • Set up scheduling if available
    • Have backup recordings ready
    • Document the change process

  3. Automation Options

    • Consider using scheduling features
    • Set up automatic reversion to standard greetings
    • Use time-based greeting changes
    • Implement backup systems

Measuring Effectiveness

Track these metrics to optimize your holiday greetings:

  • Callback rates
  • Customer feedback
  • Voicemail completion rates
  • Message clarity scores
  • Response time adherence

Conclusion

Holiday voicemail greetings are an opportunity to show your business's personality while maintaining professionalism. With proper planning and implementation, you can create memorable seasonal messages that keep your callers informed and engaged throughout the year.

Need help recording your holiday greetings? Visit Perfect Greet to create professional, free voicemail greetings for any holiday or season. Our service makes it easy to maintain a professional image year-round without any cost to your business.