The holidays bring out the best in people… and sometimes the most stressed. Customers are racing around Milwaukee, your team is juggling time off, and everyone’s running on caffeine and wishful thinking.
As a local IT services provider in Milwaukee, we see the same pattern every year: tiny tech slip-ups turn into big headaches at the worst possible time. And nobody wants to be that business that unintentionally becomes the villain in someone’s holiday story.
So here’s your Holiday Tech Manners Guide that is simple, practical, and tested in the wild with real Milwaukee small businesses.
- Update Your Holiday Hours (Before Someone Drives Across Town for Nothing)
Few things sour holiday cheer faster than a customer showing up because Google said you were open… only to find the lights off and the parking lot empty. That’s how grudges (and one-star reviews) are born.
Make sure to update your hours everywhere people look:
- Google Business Profile (the big one for local search)
- Facebook, Instagram, Yelp
- Your website banner
- Apple Maps (yes, people really do use it)
Friendly sample:
“Happy Holidays! We’ll be closed Nov. 28–Dec. 1 to spend time with family. Back Monday morning, slightly full of pie but ready to help!”
- Set an Out-of-Office Message That Sounds Human
If you’re taking time off, give people a heads up. A good auto-reply should feel personal, not robotic.
Quick example:
“Thanks for reaching out! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 28–Dec. 1. We’ll reply as soon as we’re back and caffeinated. For urgent IT support needs, call (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Enjoy the holiday!”
- Don’t Overshare in Your Out-of-Office
Nobody needs your flight number, your hotel, or Aunt Carol’s Denver address. That’s not customer communication, that’s TMI and a security risk.
Stick to the essentials:
- Dates you’ll be gone
- When you’ll respond
- Who to contact in the meantime
Save the family chaos for Facebook or your group chat.
- Check Your Phone System (Before It Checks Your Patience)
Holiday callers are already on edge. Make sure your voicemail matches your current hours, not whatever you recorded in 2019.
Pro tip from the Milwaukee IT support trenches: call your own number. You’ll be amazed how often businesses discover outdated or confusing greetings.
Sample voicemail:
“You’ve reached [Business]. We’re closed for the holiday weekend. Leave a message and we’ll call you Monday. For urgent needs, press 1. Happy Holidays!”
Small step, big difference.
- Share Your Shipping or Service Deadlines Early
If you ship products or schedule onsite work, be upfront about cutoff dates. A missed expectation feels like a betrayal — especially in December.
A simple “order by” or “schedule by” message prevents chaos and keeps everyone aligned.
Bottom Line: Kindness + Clarity = A Smoother Holiday for Everyone
Holiday tech etiquette isn’t fancy. It’s really just taking a few minutes to set clear expectations and prevent avoidable headaches. Your customers will thank you. Your employees will thank you. And honestly… your future self will thank you too.
And if you want to make sure your business tech, phone system, or network won’t surprise you during the holiday crunch, we can help.
As a trusted provider of IT services for Milwaukee small businesses, we’re here to make your systems reliable, secure, and season-proof.
Ready to Make Sure Your Tech Is Holiday-Proof?
Milwaukee businesses: let’s jump on a quick call and make sure everything is running clean, secure, and customer-ready before the busy season hits.
