A Guide To English Emails, During The Holiday Season
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 21, 2023
- 3 min read
Written by: Kate Bogar, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Writing professional emails can always be bit stressful, but if English isn’t your first language, then writing with International contacts takes the stress to a whole new level. There are cultural rules to adhere to, the fear of appearing unprofessional, and of course worries about silly grammar mistakes.
… and now we are coming to a world-wide holiday season, and approaching that with cultural awareness, inclusivity and sensitivity is the new gold standard!
As a Business English coach in International companies, as well as an online school owner with online clients all over the world, one question I’m getting a lot these days, is: How do I end my emails to respectfully reflect the holiday season?
So the big question here:
Can you end your work emails with ‘’Merry Christmas’’ as your sign off, during the holiday season?
My short answer: ‘’Yes! Absolutely.’’
My longer answer: ‘'… However some people don’t celebrate Christmas…’'
Will people be offended if you wish them a ‘’Merry Christmas’’ but they don’t celebrate Christmas?
In my experience: no they will not. But it’s comparable to me being wished a ‘’Happy Ramadan’’ from my Muslim clients. It’s taken with warmth and love, but doesn’t necessarily apply to me.
From Christmas to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa to New Years Eve… here are 5 Great Alternatives to ‘’Merry Christmas’’ that WILL apply to more of your international colleagues, during this season of holidays worldwide.
From ‘’Simplest’’ Sign off to the most ‘’Most-heartfelt’’
Happy Holidays,
Kate Bogar.
English Anywhere.
Seasons Greetings,
Kate Bogar.
English Anywhere.
Best wishes during this holiday season,
Kate Bogar.
English Anywhere.
May you and your family find love and peace this holiday season,
Kate Bogar.
English Anywhere.
May you find peace this season, no matter what you celebrate
Kate Bogar.
English Anywhere.
Holiday Email Tip 2
Feel free to also include in your sign off, when the company plans to shut down for the Holidays.
For example:
‘’As we will be on holiday from Dec 22-Dec 27, 2023 and again from Jan 1-4, 2024, please understand if I don’t respond as quickly as usual. Thank you for understanding.’’
Or:
‘’I’ll be on holiday from Dec 23 until Jan 4, 2024. Until I return, I wish you a lovely holiday season.’’
Holiday Email Tip 3
You can also include a sentence about what to do in a work emergency! (… if it applies to your job title, and if you don’t mind being contacted during the holidays!)
‘’For any emergencies, you can contact me at: personalemail@hotmail.com or my phone number (+country code) 123-4567.’’
Or:
‘’For any emergencies, you can contact my colleague *name at: colleague@email.com or speak to a representative at (+country code) 123-4567.’’
So let’s tie this altogether in a pretty little bow, that you can copy and paste into a template on your computer
(Anything to help make your life easier during the holidays :-) )
Dear *Recipent,
(Body of your email goes here)
As we will be on holiday from Dec 22-Dec 27, 2023 and again from Jan 1-4, 2024, please understand if I don’t respond as quickly as usual. Thank you for understanding.
For any emergencies, you can contact my colleague *name at: colleague@email.com or speak to a representative at (+country code) 123-4567.
May you find peace this season, no matter what you celebrate
Your Name.
Company Information.
For more Business English guidelines from Kate, feel free to check out her Instagram page for daily tips, and her online school to improve your Business English today!
Kate Bogar, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kate Bogar is an International Business English Coach, teaching people all over the world tactical and practical methods for improving their English for their job. Kate has students from over 40+ countries, in industries ranging from small tools, large tools, medicine, law, sports, arts, fashion, food and so much more. Her courses and memberships provide hands-on help for people looking to improve their Business English to be prepared for international meetings, phone calls, and email communication.
