Nothing annoys a loyal customer like driving over and finding a locked door. A clear holiday hours announcement, posted early and in the places people actually look, saves you missed calls, bad reviews, and awkward "are you open?" messages. Here's when to post, where to put it, what to say, and three AI prompts you can paste into ChatGPT.
Decide your hours before you announce anything
Write the full schedule down once, then copy it everywhere. Settle these first:
- Every date that's different: closed days, short days, and any extra or late hours.
- Exact times: "Open 9 AM to 2 PM" beats "closing early."
- Cutoffs: last day to order, book, ship, or pick up before the holiday.
- What still works while you're closed: online store, gift cards, emergency line, or email replies on a set day.
- When normal hours come back: one clear "back to regular hours on" date.
When to post your holiday hours
These defaults work for most small businesses:
- Two to three weeks ahead: the first announcement, so regulars can plan appointments and orders.
- About one week ahead: a reminder, especially for order or booking cutoffs.
- The day before: a short "heads up, we're closed tomorrow" post or sign.
- The day you reopen: a quick "we're back" message, which is also a nice excuse to say thanks.
Where to post them (so people actually see them)
Customers check different places, so update more than one:
- Google Business Profile: add special hours for each holiday date. This is what shows up when someone searches your name or "near me," and it's the one people trust most.
- Your website: a short banner or a line near your regular hours.
- Your door and register: a printed sign in big type.
- Social media: a post, plus a pinned post or story the week of the holiday.
- Email or text list: one short message to regulars, especially if there's an order or booking cutoff.
- Phone: update your voicemail greeting for closed days.
- Booking or ordering apps: block off closed days so nobody books a slot you won't be there for.
What to say
A good holiday hours notice is short and easy to scan. Cover these, in this order:
- A friendly line or thank-you.
- Each changed date with exact hours, or "Closed."
- Any cutoff ("Order by Dec 18 for pickup before Christmas").
- What's still available while you're closed.
- When regular hours return.
List dates with the day of the week ("Thu, Nov 26: Closed"). People think in days, not dates, and it cuts down on mistakes.
Here's a made-up example for a fictional bakery:
Our Thanksgiving hours
Wed, Nov 25: 7 AM to 2 PM
Thu, Nov 26: Closed
Fri, Nov 27: 8 AM to 4 PM
Pie preorders close Sun, Nov 22 at 5 PM. Regular hours return Sat, Nov 28. Thank you for a wonderful year. We're grateful for every one of you!
Rosa and the Flour Box team
Keep it inclusive (unless it's a specific holiday)
If you're covering the whole season, "holiday hours" or "end-of-year hours" works for everyone. If you're closing for a specific day, it's fine to name it ("Closed Thanksgiving Day"). Skip anything that sounds like a sales pitch in a closing notice; save promotions for a separate post.
What never to paste into AI
AI tools are great for wording, not for private customer or business data.
- Never paste customer lists, email addresses, phone numbers, or passwords.
- Describe your business and your schedule in general terms. That's all the AI needs.
- Double-check every date, day of the week, and time the AI gives back. AI tools can get calendars wrong, so compare against a real calendar.
- Read every draft before you post it. You're responsible for what goes out under your name.
Tip: If the draft sounds too stiff or too cute, reply in the same chat with "Make this shorter and friendlier, like a local business owner talking to regulars. Keep every date and time exactly as I gave them."
Prompt: holiday hours post for social media and email
Copy this into ChatGPT or any free AI chat tool, fill in the brackets, and press Enter.
I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] called [BUSINESS NAME]. Here are my holiday hours: [LIST EACH DATE WITH DAY OF THE WEEK AND HOURS, or "Closed"] - Cutoffs (if any): [e.g., last day to order / book / ship] - Still available while we're closed: [e.g., online store, gift cards, emergency line / "nothing"] - Regular hours return: [DATE] Write: 1. A social media post under 70 words, warm and easy to scan, with the hours as a short list. 2. A short email to regular customers (under 120 words) with a clear subject line. Keep every date and time exactly as I listed them. Don't add sales, discounts, or anything I didn't mention. No hashtags unless I ask.
Prompt: door sign and voicemail greeting
For the sign by your door or register, and the message callers hear on closed days.
I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] called [BUSINESS NAME]. My holiday hours are: [DATES AND HOURS]. We reopen on [DATE]. While closed, customers can [e.g., order online at our website / leave a message and we'll call back on DATE / "nothing"]. Write: 1. A printed door sign under 40 words, readable from a few feet away, with the hours as a simple list. 2. A voicemail greeting under 30 seconds when read aloud, friendly and clear, that says when we're closed, when we're back, and what callers can do in the meantime. Keep every date and time exactly as I gave them, and don't add anything I didn't list.
Prompt: "we're back" message after the holiday
A short thank-you when you reopen keeps you top of mind without a hard sell.
I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS]. We were closed for [HOLIDAY or "the holidays"] and reopen on [DATE] with our regular hours: [REGULAR HOURS]. Anything new to mention (optional): [e.g., new menu item, booking now open for January / "nothing"]. Write a short, warm "we're back" social media post (under 50 words) and a one-line version I can text to regulars. Thank customers simply, state the regular hours, and mention only what I listed. No guilt, hype, or fake urgency.
Quick checklist before you post
- Every date has the right day of the week, checked against a real calendar.
- Times are exact, with AM and PM.
- Google Business Profile special hours are set for each date.
- Website, door sign, social, and voicemail all say the same thing.
- Booking or ordering apps have closed days blocked off.
- I left customer lists and contact details out of any AI chat.
- I set a reminder to switch everything back to regular hours.
Related reading: how to announce a price increase to customers and how to ask customers for Google reviews.
FAQ
How far ahead should I post holiday hours?
Two to three weeks ahead is a good default for the first announcement, with a reminder about a week before and a short heads-up the day before you close.
How do I update holiday hours on Google?
In your Google Business Profile, add special hours for each holiday date, including days you're closed. Do it as soon as your schedule is set, since that's what people see when they search for you.
Should I say "holiday hours" or name the holiday?
For a stretch of the season, "holiday hours" or "end-of-year hours" works for everyone. For one specific day, naming it ("Closed Thanksgiving Day") is clear and perfectly fine.
Can ChatGPT write my holiday hours announcement?
Yes. Give it your exact dates and hours and ask it to keep them unchanged. Always check each date and day of the week against a real calendar before you post, and never paste customer contact details into the chat.