How to Leave The Perfect Christmas Closure Company Voicemail (With Example Scripts)
Christmas Closure Voicemail Messages: Examples & Scripts for Businesses
Christmas is a busy time for businesses, even when the office is supposed to be winding down.
Between finishing projects, answering last-minute enquiries and remembering who's bringing the mince pies, updating the company voicemail can easily slip down the list.
But if your business is closing for Christmas or operating reduced hours, a clear, friendly voicemail message makes all the difference.
Your customers need to know when you're closed, when you'll reopen and what to do if their enquiry is urgent. And ideally, they shouldn't have to listen to a two-minute recording to find out.
Whether you're looking for a professional Christmas voicemail greeting, a festive out-of-office telephone message or a simple script for your business, I've put together some practical advice and ready-to-use examples.
What Makes a Good Christmas Closure Voicemail Message?
A good business voicemail doesn't need to be complicated. In fact, the simpler it is, the better.
Before recording your Christmas telephone greeting, make sure you've covered a few essentials.
Keep it short and clear.
Most callers simply want to know when they can speak to someone. Aim for around 20–40 seconds where possible.
Include your closure and reopening dates.
Be specific. Rather than saying "We're closed over Christmas", tell callers exactly when your business will reopen.
Explain what happens to messages.
Can customers leave a voicemail? Will someone be checking emails? If you're not monitoring messages during the closure, say so.
Provide an emergency contact if appropriate.
If your business offers emergency support, include the relevant contact details. Otherwise, there's no need to invent an emergency service just for Christmas!
Choose the right tone.
A friendly Christmas greeting works beautifully for some businesses, while others need something more formal. Whatever your style, your telephone message should sound like a natural extension of your business.
And remember, a little festive cheer is lovely. Sleigh bells at full volume while someone tries to write down your reopening date? Perhaps less so.
6 Christmas Closure Voicemail Scripts You Can Use
Here are six example Christmas voicemail messages that you can adapt for your business.
Simply replace the information in square brackets with your own details.
1. Professional Christmas Closure Voicemail Message
Ideal for professional services, corporate offices and businesses that prefer a straightforward approach.
"Thank you for calling [Company Name].
Our offices are currently closed for the Christmas holidays. We will reopen on [Date] at [Time].
If you'd like to leave a message, please do so after the tone, and we'll respond when we return.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
2. Friendly Christmas Voicemail Greeting
Perfect for small businesses, independent companies and organisations that enjoy a warmer, more conversational style.
"Hello, and thanks for calling [Company Name]!
We're taking a little break over Christmas and will be back on [Date].
You're welcome to leave us a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as we're back at our desks.
Until then, we'd like to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!"
3. Christmas and New Year Office Closure Message
If your business closes throughout the festive period, this script keeps everything clear.
"Thank you for calling [Company Name].
Our office is closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays, from [Closing Date] until [Reopening Date].
During this time, our telephone lines will not be monitored.
For general enquiries, please email [Email Address], and we'll respond when we reopen.
We wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
4. Reduced Christmas Opening Hours Voicemail
Not every business closes completely over Christmas. If you're operating reduced hours, it's important that callers know when they can reach you.
"Hello, you've reached [Company Name].
Please note that we're operating reduced opening hours over the Christmas period.
Our Christmas opening hours are [Days and Times], and we'll return to our usual business hours on [Date].
If you're calling outside these times, please leave a message and we'll get back to you during our next working day.
Thank you, and have a lovely Christmas!"
5. Christmas Closure Message with Emergency Contact Details
Useful for businesses that provide essential services or emergency support.
"Thank you for calling [Company Name].
Our office is currently closed for Christmas and will reopen on [Date].
If your enquiry is urgent and requires immediate assistance, please contact our emergency support team on [Telephone Number].
For all other enquiries, please leave a message or email [Email Address], and we'll respond when the office reopens.
Thank you, and we wish you a peaceful Christmas."
Only include an emergency contact number if someone will genuinely be available to answer it.
6. Short Christmas Voicemail Message
Sometimes less really is more.
"Hello, you've reached [Company Name].
We're currently closed for Christmas and will reopen on [Date].
Please leave your name, number and a brief message, and we'll get back to you when we return.
Thanks for calling, and have a lovely Christmas!"
This is a particularly useful option if you want to keep your telephone greeting brief without losing the friendly touch.
What About Other Holiday Closures and Reduced Business Hours?
Of course, Christmas isn't the only time businesses need to update their telephone messages.
Bank holidays, Easter, summer shutdowns and staff training days can all affect your usual opening hours.
The same principles apply: tell callers what's happening, when you'll be available again and what they should do next.
Here are a few examples you can adapt throughout the year.
Easter Bank Holiday Voicemail Script
"Thank you for calling [Company Name].
Our office is currently closed for the Easter bank holiday weekend. We'll reopen on [Date] at [Time].
Please leave a message after the tone, and we'll get back to you when we return.
Thank you, and have a lovely Easter break."
Summer Holiday or Annual Shutdown Message
"Hello, you've reached [Company Name].
We're currently closed for our annual summer break and will reopen on [Date].
During this time, our telephone messages will not be monitored.
Please email [Email Address], and we'll respond when we're back.
Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to speaking with you soon."
Bank Holiday Closure Voicemail
"Thank you for calling [Company Name].
Our office is closed today for the bank holiday and will reopen on [Date] at [Time].
Please leave your name, telephone number and a brief message, and we'll get back to you on our return.
Thank you for calling."
Temporary Closure or Staff Training Day
"Hello, and thank you for calling [Company Name].
Our office is temporarily closed today while our team attends a staff training event.
We'll reopen on [Date] at [Time].
Please leave a message after the tone, and we'll respond as soon as possible when we're back.
Thank you for your understanding."
Should You Record Your Own Business Voicemail or Hire a Professional Voice Actor?
There's nothing wrong with recording your own business voicemail, particularly if you're a small business and want a personal touch.
However, a professionally recorded telephone greeting can make a noticeable difference to how your business sounds.
A professional voice actor can help you achieve:
A consistent tone: Your telephone greeting sounds in keeping with your brand.
Clear delivery: Dates, opening hours and contact details are easy to understand.
Professional audio quality: No distracting background noise or uneven recording levels.
A polished first impression: Your business sounds welcoming and organised, even when the office is closed.
If you already use a professionally recorded IVR or telephone system, having your seasonal messages recorded in the same voice also helps maintain consistency.
And there's another practical advantage: you can concentrate on everything else that needs doing before the holidays, rather than recording your Christmas message seventeen times because the office printer decided to join in.
When Should You Update Your Christmas Voicemail?
Ideally, have your Christmas closure message written and recorded well before your business closes.
October and November are good times to start planning, particularly if you're arranging a professional recording.
Before your Christmas message goes live, double-check:
Your closing and reopening dates
Any reduced opening hours
Alternative contact details
Whether voicemail messages will be monitored
That the recording plays correctly on your telephone system
It's also worth setting yourself a reminder to switch back to your usual telephone greeting when the office reopens.
A Christmas message still playing in February probably isn't quite the first impression you're hoping for.
Need a Professional Christmas Voicemail Recording?
A clear, friendly voicemail message helps your business sound professional, even when nobody's there to answer the phone.
If you'd rather leave the recording to someone else, I offer professional British female voiceovers for Christmas closures, seasonal opening hours and everyday business telephone messages.
I occasionally run special offers on Christmas voicemail recordings between October and December, so it's worth checking whether there's one available.
Whether you need a simple Christmas greeting or a complete set of telephone messages, I'd be happy to discuss what works best for your business.
Final Thoughts
Your Christmas voicemail doesn't need to be complicated, but it does need to be helpful.
A short, clearly recorded message lets customers know what to expect and reassures them that their enquiry hasn't disappeared into the festive void.
Feel free to adapt any of the example scripts above for your own business. And if you'd prefer a professional voice to deliver your message, I'd be delighted to help.
Wishing you a smooth run-up to Christmas, a well-earned break and, ideally, a voicemail that doesn't need recording at the very last minute.
Nicky
Comments