Many people like to use these messages when they’re out of the office. They can be used for your marketing communications, too! here’s a template you can adapt and modify with your team or clients in mind.
The “funny out of office messages back to the future” is a list of 20 funny text messages that can be used as templates for your own. The messages are from movies such as “Back to the Future.”
People tend to fall into one of two groups in the last days before vacation: 1) those who obsessively watch the clock, and 2) those who are so busy before they leave that they forget to send an out-of-office (OOO) email message.
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably a member of team two. That doesn’t leave much time for creativity. However, if you organize ahead of time, you may be able to create some laughter.
I’ll explain what an OOO message is and offer some of the greatest examples I’ve discovered on Google, as well as a couple from my colleagues.
Message from the Out-of-Office Box
An out-of-office message is a message sent by an email account that is not being monitored by its owner for a period of time. Every new email sent to this account will send an out-of-office notice to the sender of the original email. You may enable this feature and modify your message with most email service providers.
Out-of-office communications, often known as “autoresponder emails,” cover a wide range of topics. This message may be witty, smart, or caustic, and it can both express your personality and inform senders that you’re out of the office.
While it may be kept basic, it can also be made to be enjoyable.
I’m not sure what to put on my out-of-office message.
First and foremost, let’s review the fundamentals of an OOO email. You usually include the following in your away message:
- A simple “I’m out of the office” statement.
- The date or time period in which you will be absent.
- Who to contact if the sender needs quick assistance.
- Finally, a signature.
If you put it all together, your autoresponder would look like this:
“Good day there,
Thank you so much for your email. I’ll be out of the office till mm/dd/yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy If you want assistance, please contact my colleague at colleague@example.com.
Best,
[Name]”
But, don’t you think that’s a little dull? Fortunately, you can add comedy to your OOO message at precisely the right spots to make it more interesting.
If you’re stumped, use our free OOO email generator to create a message that precisely expresses who you are and where you want to go.
OOO Email Generator is a featured resource.
Click here to create your OOO email.
Out-of-Office Messages That Aren’t So Funny
- Once I’ve defrosted, I’ll send you an email.
- Please contact someone other than me if you are discovered.
- When I return to civilisation, I’ll contact you.
- Travel to my native state of Florida if you need to contact me.
- I know I’m meant to mention that my email access will be restricted, but…
- Hello, my name is Troy McClure.
- The bad news is that I’m no longer employed. The good news is that I’m no longer employed.
- I’m presently out of the workplace and will most likely be relaxing on a beach. Have a good week at work.
- Are you able to figure out where I am?
- Relaxation during vacation? graph
- Make an informed decision.
- There will be plenty of holiday celebration and depravity ahead. Take it slowly and carefully (if you dare).
- Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your email. I’m already a fan.
- Quiz about the film Die Hard.
- Here are ten things for which I am grateful.
- I’m engrossed with Christmas movies. I’ll see you later.
- Thank you for taking the time to think of me during this joyful or not-so-festive season.
- I’ll contact you after I’ve returned from my long-awaited trip to the refrigerator.
- Play Vacation by Dirty Heads, Alexa.
- The doorbell rang just now. It’s the UPS driver on the other end of the line. He’s about to put me into the vehicle.
Vacation Out-of-Office Messages
1. “Once I’ve defrosted, I’ll send you an email.”
When people go on vacation, they usually head to a warm, tropical location…
Some of us, however, are not so fortunate. Or, if we’re traveling in the winter and moving north, we’re certain to encounter some snow, right?
While the weather may not be kind to us, we may utilize it as a source of humorous relief. For further realism, a snapshot of the weather prediction may be included. Not only will it make recipients laugh, but it will also elicit some empathy, which is frequently the key to effective content.
Example
Thank you for your letter! I’m now buried in snow and will contact you on January 2nd when I’ve defrosted.
And if you believe I’m lying, consider this:
Image Credit:
My fingertips are frostbitten, so I have to hurry. If you really need me, fetch a shovel and dig me out of here, or email my colleague Anna at anna@example.com, who isn’t stuck in snow with frostbitten fingers.
2. “If you’re discovered, don’t contact me.”
You could always simply use a picture to represent your out-of-office feeling, like this one, if your email software permits it. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and visual material is still necessary for effective marketing.
You’re letting folks know you’re OOO with a “Missing” sign on a milk carton in this illustration. Genius. Just keep in mind that this kind of autoresponder is better suited for internal emails rather than autoresponders sent to prospects and customers.
3. “When I go back to civilisation, I’ll get back to you.”
Why not poke fun of your lack of WiFi in your autoresponder if you’re heading to a distant, mountainous area? Furthermore, consumers are less likely to demand a rapid response or continue to contact you after the initial attempt as a result of this.
Example
Hi there,
Sorry for missing you; I’m now unable to access my email. Why? I’m on a hiking trip and relying on Spam, decent water, and trail food to get by. You should come out here and view the stars.
When I return to civilisation, I’ll contact you. Alternatively, go somewhere with WiFi. On May 10th, you may go to the workplace. Whichever arrives first is the winner.
If you want immediate assistance, please contact my team at team@example.com.
4. “Travel to my native state of Florida if you need to contact me.”
When one of my coworkers left on vacation, he sent a creative and insightful out-of-office note. First, he sent the receiver on a fictitious treasure quest to “the tallest mountain’s highest summit.” He made it apparent that he would not be checking email while he was gone by using comedic ridiculousness.
In addition, he used a charming way to inform people that if they truly wanted him to read their emails, they should send them again once he returned. This not only holds the sender responsible by stating, “If this is really essential, you know when to contact me,” but it also allows him to genuinely vacate his job while he’s gone. And that’s not easy.
Here’s an example that you may use for your own purposes.
Example
Hey!
I’ll be on leave till July 18th. Here’s how to get in touch with me if you need to:
- First, I’ll fly to Florida, where I grew up.
- Climb to the top of the tallest mountain’s highest peak.
- Locate a rare flower (no specifications required… It’d be unethical).
- Replace the flower because, as the old hiking adage goes, “leave everything exactly as you found it.”
You’ll know how to contact me after you’ve grasped the meaning of that flower. Have faith in me. You’ll figure it out.
Please contact my boss at manager@example.com if your communication demands a speedier response.
If you want your message to be answered as soon as possible when I return, please submit it on July 18th. While you’re thinking about it, I propose scheduling it with one of our sales automation solutions.
5. “I know I’m supposed to state I’ll have restricted email access, but…”
Josh Kopelman’s vacation email is a great illustration of how to tackle OOO mails bluntly.
Not only did Kopelman manage to convert his out-of-office letter into something like to an epic poem, but he also took the time to create a deliciously sardonic, vacation-specific email address for his receivers.
Giving people the choice to contact an email address that contains the phrase “interruptyourvacation” delivers two things: 1) a laugh, and 2) a disincentive to actually doing what the name implies. Furthermore, he prefaces it with a call for empathy, noting that he promised his family quality time.
Sure, Kopelman admits that he’s on vacation, but he also warns the receiver that choosing the first choice would cause him or her to miss out on vital family time. It makes a simple argument and utilizes comedy to avoid seeming as though the author wants the reader to feel bad.
Here’s an example that you may use for your own purposes.
Example
Hi there,
You received this email right away (typical autoresponder behavior), indicating that I’m on vacation.
While I could theoretically check my email, have my phone on hand, and have access to WiFi, I’d rather spend time with my family. My children are growing up at the rate of a supersonic aircraft, and if I blink again, they will be 35 years old. And I’ll be 73 years old. And that’s something I don’t want.
You may email interruptingfamilytime@example.com if you still need to contact me. You may also send an email to assistant@example.com. They may be able to guide you in the proper route.
Once I’m back, I’m looking forward to reuniting.
6. “Hello, my name is Troy McClure.”
When one of my coworkers is absent from the office, he is serious about his work. In fact, he’s transformed his auto-responses into a running series of cartoon character Troy McClure’s comments.
Each time McClure appears in these out-of-office messages, he “speaks” on behalf of my colleague and makes a reference to his past appearances in auto-responses. It’s a gentle sort of self-deprecation — as if to say, “I know, I’m out of the office again” — made further amusing by the made-up teaser title in the last sentence.
Don’t be scared to make a pop culture reference that your audience will understand. Instead of lamenting your absence, they’ll be able to giggle at something joyful and familiar.
Example
Image Credit:
Hello, my name is Troy McClure. You may remember me from messages like Avenge My Death if I Don’t Return from DMEXCO and Bye Now, I’m on an Absurdly Long Cycling Trip.
I’ve come to speak with you about someone you may know. Catalina Wong will be away of the office until the 27th of September. She requested that I inform you that she will contact you upon her return.
That’s all I’ve got for now. It’s Not a Hangover, It’s Food Poisoning – I Swear! Look for me in the forthcoming out-of-office message. Also, be careful out there.
7. “The unfortunate news is that I’m no longer employed.” The good news is that I’m no longer employed.”
You may express how excited you are for your trip while also apologizing (of sorts… not really).
Example
Greetings — I have both good and terrible news to share with you. Let’s start with the negative.
The bad news is that I’m no longer employed. The good news is that I’m out of the office and in Cancn, eating elotes.
If you are unable to wait for a response, my colleague would gladly assist you. Simply send an email to someone@example.com.
On February 7th, I’ll be returning.
a “I’m presently out of the office and will most likely be relaxing on a beach. Have a good week at work.”
That is all there is to it. That is all there is to it. This message is straightforward and to the point, informing individuals that you are unable to react to messages.
However, be wary of communications that are so brief. Make sure you know your audience — and, for that matter, your employer — well enough to know that this kind of out-of-office message will be welcomed with a giggle rather than displeasure.
“Can you figure out where I am?” 9.
“Snowbirds” is a phrase we like to use around here to describe people who used to live in the northern portion of the United States but now relocate to warmer sections of the nation during the winter.
And, although my colleague had mixed views about her parents joining the Florida population, she couldn’t say no when her father offered traveling down from Boston for a Red Sox spring training game.
Naturally, she needed to take the day off — and she couldn’t just send out a generic auto-response to let everyone know. Instead, she turned it into a guessing game in her out-of-office email, which you can copy and paste into your own.
Example
Hello there,
I’m now out of the office, with my family, eating peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Are you able to figure out where I am? That’s OK; you’re preoccupied.
If your communication is urgent, don’t worry; we’ll take care of it. Try one of the following options:
- Please contact me at ThereIsNoCryingInBaseball@example.com if you have any questions.
- Just joking. That isn’t a legitimate email address.
- In my absence, please contact my manager at manager@example.com.
On 7/19, I’ll be back in the office and will gladly answer. Have a wonderful weekend!
10. “Relaxation on vacation?” Graph
Image Credit:
This graph mocks the notion that vacationing isn’t always a relaxing experience. When you’re worried out about work, you’ll start worrying about your to-do list. Because we’ve all been there, using this picture is a great way to connect with everyone who contacts you. We’ve all experienced the holiday existential crisis and battled with the stress that comes with it both before and after a trip.
11. Make sensible decisions
One of the worst emotions while going on vacation is knowing that you’ll return to a jammed inbox that will take you a long time to go through. However, this approach, encouraging people to chose what they send you carefully, is a terrific (and hilarious) strategy to minimize email traffic and discourage repeated emails.
Because this is a hilarious OOO message, it’s also a touch caustic about those who send repeated emails, make sure you’re okay with the folks sending you emails.
Example
I’m on yearly leave till dd/mm/yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy I’ll only accept one email per sender, and if you send me many emails, I’ll remove them one by one until there’s only one left. Make an informed decision. Please keep in mind that you have already submitted one email to me.
Out-of-Office Messages for the Holidays
“Holiday revelry and depravity are in store.” If you dare, proceed with care.”
How do you convey your joy for the holidays without sounding corny while you’re out for the holidays?
How about a forewarning about what’s to come? Take a look at an example below that you may utilize.
Example
Hello there!
Careful. There will be plenty of holiday celebration and depravity ahead. Take it slowly and carefully (if you dare).
That is to say, I’m on vacation, I’m absolutely sunburned, and I apologize for missing your email.
Don’t worry, my colleague Hannah will cover for me as I pretend to be Santa in front of my kids. If you want immediate help, please contact Hannah at hannah@example.com.
Take precautions and don’t overdo it with the sunshine!
“Thank you very much for your email,” says number thirteen. I’m already a fan.”
This festive out-of-office email follows the concept, but a touch passive aggressively. If you’re receiving emails around the holidays, why not regard each one as a gift and write a thank you note?
In his out-of-office message below, my caustic colleague certainly did. We write thank-you notes in response to Christmas presents, so it’s only logical that we’d expect the same courtesy from our coworkers…
Example
Hello there!
Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your email. I’m already a fan. I knew this communication would be remarkable since it was packaged so well in its delightful subject line. These kinds of gifts don’t come around very often.
I’m afraid I’ll have to respond to your message. I’m presently out of the office due to the Christmas season. When I get back, I’ll give your email a thorough read and see whether your request is, in fact, precisely what I was looking for! But, until then, I’ll leave it in my inbox to avoid harm and return to it when the holidays are over.
Have a wonderful Christmas season!
“Quiz on Die Hard” is number fourteen.
Take a look at this email from a HubSpot employee, which turns the tables on the sender. When you believed you were the one who had requested action, the receiver responded with an assignment – albeit a humorous one.
Take the sting out of your absence while the sender waits for your answer to their email by including them in a holiday poll like the one below.
Example
I apologize for missing you. I’ll be out of the office for the next several days and won’t be able to answer until after the break. However, while you’re with me, please assist me in resolving a disagreement between my coworkers and myself:
Die Hard Quiz
Which Die Hard film was the best?
- The Office Christmas Party Gone Wrong (Die Hard 1)
- The Airport Conspiracy is the sequel to Die Hard 2.
- Samuel L. Jackson in Die Hard 3. That’s all there is to it.
- Cyberthreat is the fourth installment in the Die Hard franchise.
- Die Hard 5: This is a film that you should probably avoid.
- Impossible! It’s the equivalent of picking a favorite kid!
Submit
“Here are ten things for which I am grateful.”
This email was sent by another of my coworkers. The goal of this email is to intercept communications during Thanksgiving, and it does this via thanksgiving.
With a list of things that anybody who works in an office is glad for, the witty and appealing email template below preserves the trust of your coworkers. Of course, feel free to adapt this list to the peculiarities of your particular company. Thanksgiving is the ideal moment to make them public.
Example
Because I’ll be out of the office for Thanksgiving, I’ll answer to your email with a list of ten things for which I’m grateful:
- Collecting copiers
- When coworkers run out of coffee, they make more.
- Mondays and Fridays are donut days.
- When IT gave me a new laptop and remembered to transfer my data, I was ecstatic.
- At the conclusion of book 7, You-Know-Who died.
- Dry-erase boards with real erasers
- The courageous individual who went through the refrigerator and cleared it out
- When I arrive early for an all-staff meeting and get a seat near the entrance
- HR eventually sent a message instructing employees to STOP cutting their nails at their workstations.
- OOO autoresponders are a kind of autoresponder that is used to
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I’ll contact you again on Monday.
16. “I’m engrossed in a Christmas movie marathon.” “I’ll see you later.”
There’s no shame in watching your favorite childhood movies around the holidays, but there is guilt in not revealing that lovely aspect of yourself when others are trying to contact you.
So, take a cue from @courtwhip, editor at PEDESTRIAN.TV, who sent the following amusing out-of-office email, which is chock-full of references to the finest 1990s films. (By the way, “Splinter” is a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and we all know how much he enjoys pizza.)
Here’s an example that you might use for your own purposes. It’s the same email, after all.
Example
What are you doing contacting me on Christmas Eve?
I’m going to be really busy till the new year, watching Home Alone, Die Hard, and the 1994 Ninja Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Christmas Special on repeat.
I may or may not stop for food or bathroom breaks.
I’ll be back in the workplace on January 2 regardless of my overall health and hygiene throughout the holiday season.
Catch you later, and don’t forget to grab Splinter a pepperoni pizza.
17. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness during this festive or non-festive season.”
Are you worried about upsetting a colleague who may or may not observe the holidays? Don’t worry, I’ve prepared the ideal email for you. If there’s one thing this OOO message gets right, it’s respecting your employees’ different viewpoints, faiths, customs, and ideas while entertaining so many others.
It’s also a fantastic robot imitation. So, if that’s your thing…
Example
Hello,
You’ve gotten through to Michael Abioye’s inbox. This is a note telling you that Michael Abioye will be absent till January 2nd, 20XX. He is now indulging in the customs of a particular festival, which might be sectarian or non-denominational. Example Company is not sponsoring or opposing the holiday in any form, nor encouraging or discouraging workers of all demographics from participating in festive activities. Thank you for taking the time to think of me during this joyful or not-so-festive season.
Sincerely,
Management
When Working from Home, Leave Out-of-Office Messages
Do you want to work from home? To let others know you’re taking a break, use these OOO messages.
18. “I’ll get back to you as soon as I return from my much-anticipated excursion to the refrigerator.”
Your customers or colleagues may expect you to come into the office and answer their emails even if you’re on vacation and staying at home. Even if you’re bumming about on the sofa, use this autoresponder to let them know you’re not accessible.
Example
Hey,
Thank you so much for your email. I’m on sabbatical. I’m sitting on the sofa. Chips are being consumed. Also, for the seventh time (don’t tell anybody), I’m binge-watching Stranger Things.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to respond to your email (even though my office is three feet away). I’ll contact you after I’ve returned from my long-awaited trip to the refrigerator. Everything was purchased via TripAdvisor.
On the third, I’ll be back in the office and will contact you.
19. “Alexa, play Dirty Heads’ Vacation.”
Do you have an Alexa device? This might be the email you’re looking for.
Example
“Alexa, play Dirty Heads’ Vacation.”
It’s also playing in the background as I’m typing this email. What’s more, guess what? I’m on sabbatical! And I adore what I do for a living.
I’ve got your email and will respond as soon as I return to my home office. How can I turn this Alexa thing off now?
“The doorbell just rang,” says number 20. It’s the UPS driver on the other end of the line. He’s about to put me into the vehicle.”
You’re a UPS parcel being delivered to your holiday location in this email. Oh, how I wish UPS had this service.
Example
Hey, you’ve made it to my inbox, but hang on a second, the doorbell has just rung. It’s the UPS driver on the other end of the line. He’s about to put me into the vehicle. With all many cartons, this vehicle is suffocating. Oh, he’s bringing me down to… Florida! I’m now on the beach. Thank you very much, UPS driver!
On the ninth, the UPS guy is supposed to pick me up again. He should be able to get me back to the office by the tenth (provided he isn’t late again).
Don’t worry, I’ll protect myself by wrapping myself in bubble wrap.
How to Be Funny While Maintaining Professionalism
All of these OOO messages are now a great method to show off your personality and communicate with employees, prospects, and customers, among other people. However, it’s still necessary to maintain a professional demeanor and keep your jokes’ substance PG to PG13.
It’s also crucial that your sense of humor isn’t so self-deprecating that it hurts your reputation, or that if you’re more sarcastic, you’re not hurting anybody and it’s evident that you’re joking. Here are some pointers on how to be hilarious while being professional:
- Keep the material PG-13.
- Use emoticons or laugh at your own jokes to make it apparent you’re kidding.
- Have a good time.
- Never make fun of someone else or make a joke at their expense.
Funny OOO Messages are always a hit.
Are you completely enthralled by the above inventive out-of-office messages? It’s time to create your own – your vacation is counting on it. If you’re stuck, use HubSpot’s OOO Email Generator, and remember that an out-of-office email doesn’t have to be dull. It should, on the contrary, inform and amuse. You don’t want others to judge you for taking a much-needed vacation.
Note from the editor: This article was first published in December 2018 and has been revised for accuracy.
The “out of office message for birthday” is a funny way to say that you are on vacation and will be back in the office soon. The “Templates” section has 20 templates that can be used as an example.
Related Tags
- one liner out of office message
- out of office message for shared mailbox examples
- out of office message due to power outage
- other ways to say out of office
- out of office message for flexible working