The Perfect Way to Jump Back Into Emails After Holidays (Without Sounding Robotic)

Hey there, happy new year! It’s your Holiday Little Assistant back at it again. Just got a great question from one of our readers: *”How do I even start an email after being OOO for the holidays without sounding awkward?”* Let’s break this down because wow, do I get it – that first post-vacation email can feel like trying to remember how to ride a bike.

The Golden Rule: Ditch the Overly Formal Vibes

Newsflash: Nobody expects you to pretend you weren’t just knee-deep in holiday cookies. A little personality goes a long way. Try something like:
*”Hope your [New Year/winter break/summer vacation] was amazing! I’m just digging out from under my inbox avalanche – bear with me!”*
This keeps it professional but human. Pro tip: If your team’s casual, emojis (🎄⛄️) are totally fine – just maybe skip the 10-pumpkin-spice-latte energy.

The “Sorry Not Sorry” Trap

PSA: Stop apologizing for taking PTO! You earned that break. Instead of *”Sorry for the delay!”*, flip it:
*”Thanks for your patience while I recharged!”* See the difference? You’re acknowledging the gap without groveling. For urgent follow-ups, add: *”Circling back on [specific thing] – let me know if you need this prioritized!”*

The Boss-Level Move: The “Recap & Roadmap”

If you were truly offline (hello, beach hut with no WiFi), help your contacts catch up:
1. **Quick recap**: *”I noticed you sent [X] on [date] – really appreciate you flagging this!”*
2. **Next steps**: *”Here’s what I’ll tackle first: [list 1-3 items].”*
This shows you’re on top of things without writing a novel.

FAQ: Burning Post-Holiday Email Questions

**Q: How long do I have to reference the holidays?**
A: Max 1-2 weeks. After that, it’s like wearing Christmas pajamas in February – weird.

**Q: Should I mention my vacation?**
A: Only if it’s relevant! Client email? Skip the ski trip pics. Colleague? *”Missed your face – hope you survived the office snack table without me!”* works.

**Q: What if I’m overwhelmed?**
A: Set boundaries! Try: *”Still catching up – if this can wait until [date], lmk! Otherwise, I’ll reply by [day].”*

**Bottom line?** Your post-holiday email should sound like *you* – just slightly more caffeinated. Keep it breezy, grateful, and clear. Now go forth and inbox-zero like the holiday champ you are!

FAQpro Thanks for reading, folks! Whether you’re tackling a post-Lunar New Year inbox or a 4th of July backlog, these tips’ll keep you sounding professional (but still fun). Got a holiday email horror story? Slide into our DMs – we’ve all been there. 🎄📧