Feeling Lucky? That’s Not How Well-Run Businesses Operate
March 10, 2026
It’s March. Green shows up everywhere. Shamrocks fill store windows. Leprechauns stand guard over pots of gold at the end of rainbows. Luck is fun.
The holidays are stressful enough without technology tripping you up. Customers are trying to squeeze in last-minute errands, employees are juggling family schedules and everyone’s expectations are cranked up to 11. The last thing you want is to accidentally frustrate people with avoidable tech slip-ups.
Think of this as your “Holiday Tech Manners Guide” – because nobody wants to be that business that ruins someone’s Tuesday.
Picture this: A customer rushes across town during their lunch break because Google says you’re open, only to find your door locked and lights off. Congratulations, you’ve just created someone’s villain origin story.
What to update:
Sample message: “Happy Holidays! We’ll be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Dec. 1 to spend time with family. We’ll be back to regular hours Monday morning, probably with a slight turkey hangover but ready to help!”
If you’re taking time off, don’t leave customers in e-mail purgatory, wondering if you’ve disappeared into the holiday abyss. A good auto-reply is like a friendly doorman – professional but human.
Sample out-of-office message: “Thanks for reaching out! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. We’ll respond as soon as we’re back and caffeinated. If it’s urgent, call our support line at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday!”
Keep it simple. Customers don’t need to know that you’re visiting Aunt Carol in Denver, that your office manager is flying to Cancún or that Bob from accounting is doing a “Friendsgiving potluck tour.”
Besides being TMI, sharing too many details can create security risks. Stick to dates, response times and alternate contacts. Save the travel stories for social media.
Holiday callers are often in a rush and already stressed. Make sure your voicemail greeting actually matches your hours and doesn’t send people on a wild-goose chase.
Pro tip: Call your own number. Yes, really. You’d be surprised how many businesses have outdated greetings from 2019.
Sample voicemail: “You’ve reached [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed for the holiday weekend. Please leave a message and we’ll return your call Monday morning. If this is urgent, press 1 to reach our on-call team. Happy Holidays, and thanks for your patience!”
If your business involves shipping or deliveries, communicate deadlines clearly and early. Post your “order by” dates prominently online and send reminder e-mails to customers.
Delayed packages are frustrating, but missed expectations are relationship-killers. Nobody wants to explain to their spouse why the anniversary gift is arriving in January.
Holiday tech etiquette isn’t rocket science. It’s about setting clear expectations, communicating like a human being and respecting your customers’ time. A few quick updates can prevent a lot of frustration and keep your business reputation merry and bright.
Remember: The goal isn’t just to avoid problems – it’s to make your customers feel taken care of, even when you’re not there.
Want help making sure your systems (and your customer experience) stay polished and professional this holiday season?
Let’s talk about simple ways to keep everything running smoothly while you enjoy some well-deserved time off. Book your free discovery call here.
Complete this form to get started and we will contact you to discuss the next steps. Or call us at 1-833-231-6182 to get started.
It’s March. Green shows up everywhere. Shamrocks fill store windows. Leprechauns stand guard over pots of gold at the end of rainbows. Luck is fun.
Spring break gets a bad reputation. College kids. Questionable decisions. Stories that start with “we thought it was a good idea at the time…” But
If you’re a business owner, you’ve had this exact thought: “Why does everything take longer than it should?” Not because your people are bad. Not