The holiday season brings a flurry of festive greetings like ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays.’ But the growing prevalence of ‘Happy Holidays’ reflects a cultural shift toward inclusion.
This more expansive phrase has become the greeting of choice for those looking to acknowledge Christmas while also encompassing other mid-winter holidays.
Saying ‘Happy Holidays’ expresses warmth and celebration without assuming everyone observes Christmas. It’s a catch-all for the season, meant to brighten anyone’s holiday, whatever they may celebrate.
The phrase functions as an umbrella, covering Christmas as well as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice, and New Year’s. It spreads holiday cheer without targeting a specific tradition.
This brings the concern, what are the best replies to ‘Happy Holidays’ that demonstrate understanding and goodwill. In this article, I’ll be explaining 30 options for spreading seasonal joy when someone wishes you ‘Happy Holidays’.
Let’s dig in.
30 Best Replies To Happy Holidays
With so many people reaching out to wish us happy holidays, it can be a challenge to come up with the perfect response.
Fear not, Here’s a list of the 30 best replies to happy holidays:
- Thank you, same to you and yours.
- Same to you, hope you have a joyous season.
- Thanks, wishing you all the best during this festive time.
- Bah, humbug, just kidding…thanks, you too.
- I’ll drink an eggnog to that, Happy holidays to you as well.
- Happy Holidays indeed, time to eat, drink and be merry.
- You too, And a prosperous New Year.
- I’ll celebrate that, happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
- Here’s hoping for holiday cheer and goodwill to all.
- Thank you, what a kind wish,Wishing you peace and joy this season.
- Same to you and your family May this time bring you cherished moments and memories.
- Your holiday greeting warms my heart, I wish you love, light, and laughter in the new year.
- Thank you, and welcome, Wishing you a festive season filled with light.
- How nice of you to say, I wish the same for you and your loved ones during this special time.
- What a lovely, thoughtful greeting, Happy Holidays to you as well.
- Thank you, I hope your holidays are filled with happiness and love.
- Same to you, May your season be bright and filled with joy.
- How sweet, Wishing you peace, joy and all the happiness this season brings.
- Many thanks, I wish you much light, laughter, and love this wonderful season.
- Why thank you kindly, May your holidays be full of cheer and good company.
- Gratefully received. I wish you all the magic, mystery, and merriment this holiday holds.
- You’re too kind – thank you, Here’s hoping your holidays are filled with wonder, warmth, and joy galore.
- Much appreciated, I wish you a season sprinkled with moments of laughter, loved ones, and sweet memories to last a lifetime.
- Why, thank you ever so, I wish you holiday blessings of joy, peace, and goodwill toward all.
- I’m all a-twitter with holiday cheer after receiving your kind wishes, I wish the same for you in abundance this festive season.
- Your holiday greetings bring smiles – thank you, I wish you holidays brimming with love, light, and all things bright.
- What a lovely sentiment, I wish you holidays full of fun, good food, and time spent with those you hold dear.
- Thank you kindly, and the same to you in spades, May the lights shine bright and your heart be full this special season.
- Much obliged, I wish you holidays sprinkled with moments of magic, along with hot cocoa and warm hugs aplenty.
- Why, bless your heart, I wish you holidays bursting at the seams with laughter, good company, and sweet memories galore.
1. Thank you, Same to you and yours
‘Thank you, Same to you and yours’ is a great response to ‘Happy Holidays’ because it acknowledges the good wishes while also spreading the cheer to the person who said it and their loved ones
It’s concise and to the point, but it also shows appreciation and thoughtfulness. For example, you’re at a holiday party and someone wishes you a happy holiday.
You respond with, ‘Thank you, Same to you and yours,’ and they feel appreciated while also feeling the warmth of the holiday spirit.
2. Same to you, Hope you have a joyous season
‘Same to you, Hope you have a joyous season’ is a great way to reciprocate the good wishes of ‘Happy Holidays’ while also adding a personal touch.
It’s a bit more detailed than the first response, but it still gets the message across in a concise way. By saying ‘hope you have a joyous season,’ you’re letting the other person know that you genuinely wish them well and want them to enjoy the holidays to the fullest.
For example, you’re checking out at a store and the cashier says, ‘Happy Holidays,’ You respond with, ‘Same to you, Hope you have a joyous season,’ which can make them feel seen and appreciated.
3. Thanks, Wishing you all the best during this festive time
‘Thanks, Wishing you all the best during this festive time’ is a great way to show gratitude while replying to ‘Happy Holidays’ and also extending well wishes to the person who said it. It’s a bit more formal than the other responses, but it’s still thoughtful.
By saying ‘wishing you all the best during this festive time,’ you’re letting the other person know that you’re thinking of them and genuinely wish them well during the holiday season.
For example, imagine you’re at a family gathering and a relative wishes you a happy holiday. You can respond with, ‘Thanks, Wishing you all the best during this festive time.’
4. Bah, humbug, Just kidding…thanks, you too
‘Bah, humbug, Just kidding…thanks, you too’ is a playful way to acknowledge the good wishes of ‘Happy Holidays’ while also injecting a bit of humor into the conversation.
This response is letting the other person know that you’re in on the joke and don’t have a negative attitude toward the holidays which Bah, humbug, conveys.
For example, you’re at a work party and a coworker wishes you a happy holiday. You respond with, ‘Bah, humbug, Just kidding…thanks, you too,’ and they feel like they’re in on the joke with you.
5. I’ll drink an eggnog to that, Happy holidays to you as well
‘I’ll drink an eggnog to that, Happy holidays to you as well’ is also a great way to add a bit of personality and humor to the conversation while also replying to the heartful wishes of ‘Happy Holidays’.
It’s best used to show appreciation and let the other person know that you’re excited about the holidays and ready to celebrate.
For example, imagine you’re at a holiday party and a friend wishes you a happy holiday. You respond with, ‘I’ll drink an eggnog to that, Happy holidays to you as well,’ making them feel like they’re a part of the celebration with you.
6. Happy Holidays indeed, Time to eat, drink and be merry
If you wish to casually express enthusiasm for the holiday season while also replying to the ‘Happy Holidays’ sentiment, then ‘Happy Holidays indeed, Time to eat, drink, and be merry’ is your best response.
You can use it to convey excitement for the festivities and be ready to enjoy yourself. For example, imagine you’re at a holiday market and a vendor wishes you a happy holiday.
You respond with, ‘Happy Holidays indeed, Time to eat, drink, and be merry,’
7. You too, And a prosperous New Year
When someone wishes you happy holidays, and you want to return the favor, ‘You too, And a prosperous New Year’ is perfect. It’s a short and sweet way to say ‘you too’ and also add in a wish for a successful new year.
For example, if someone says ‘Happy holidays,’ you can say ‘You too, And a prosperous new year’ to show that you appreciate their kindness and also wish them well in the coming year.
8. I’ll celebrate that, Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones
I’ll celebrate that, Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones is a perfect response to ‘Happy Holidays’ for those who want to express their excitement about the holiday season.
It shows that you’re looking forward to the holidays and want to share the joy with others.
For example, if someone wishes you happy holidays, you can respond by saying ‘I’ll celebrate that, Happy holidays to you and your loved ones’ to show that you’re excited about the holidays and also appreciate their kindness.
9. Here’s hoping for holiday cheer and goodwill for all
Here’s hoping for holiday cheer and goodwill to all is also a great reply to ‘Happy Holidays’ which is best used to express hope for a happy and peaceful holiday season. It shows that you believe in the power of goodwill and kindness during the holidays.
For example, if someone wishes you happy holidays, you can respond by saying ‘Here’s hoping for holiday cheer and goodwill to all’ to show that you appreciate their kindness and also hope for a happy and peaceful holiday season for everyone.
10. Thank you, what a kind wish. Wishing you peace and joy this season
‘Thank you, what a kind wish. Wishing you peace and joy this season’ is a perfect response to ‘Happy Holidays’ which expresses gratitude while also wishing the other person well.
It’s a warm and sincere way to respond to the sentiment, and it acknowledges the kindness of the person who initiated the conversation.
Example:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays, I hope you have a great time with your family,’
Person B: ‘Thank you, what a kind wish. Wishing you peace and joy this season.’
11. Same to you and your family. May this time bring you cherished moments and memories
‘Same to you and your family. May this time bring you cherished moments and memories.’
Is a great reply to ‘Happy Holidays’ which is ideal for those who want to reciprocate the sentiment while also adding a personal touch.
It’s a way to show that you care about the other person and their loved ones and that you wish them all the best during the holiday season.
Example:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays, I hope you have a wonderful time with your family,’
Person B: ‘Same to you and your family. May this time bring you cherished moments and memories.’
12. Your holiday greeting warms my heart. I wish you love, light, and laughter in the new year
‘Your holiday greeting warms my heart. I wish you love, light, and laughter in the new year’ is a great reply to ‘Happy Holidays’ which adds a touch of positivity while saying that you’re grateful for the other person’s kind words.
It is perfect for those who want to express their appreciation for someone’s holiday greeting while also extending their unique wishes for love, light, and laughter in the new year.
It shows that you value their kindness and also want to extend your unique wishes for the new year.
Example:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays, I hope you have a great time with your loved ones,’
Person B: ‘Your holiday greeting warms my heart. I wish you love, light, and laughter in the new year.’
13. Thank you, and welcome, Wishing you a festive season filled with light
‘Thank you, and welcome, Wishing you a festive season filled with light.’ is an excellent response to ‘Happy Holidays’, as it shows gratitude towards the person who greeted you while also wishing them the best for the festive season.
By adding ‘welcome’, you are acknowledging the start of the holiday season and making the person feel appreciated.
Additionally, the phrase ‘filled with light’ adds beautiful imagery to your message, conveying hope and positivity.
Example conversation:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays.’
You: ‘Thank you, and welcome, Wishing you a festive season filled with light.’
14. How nice of you to say. I wish the same for you and your loved ones during this special time
‘How nice of you to say. I wish the same for you and your loved ones during this special time’ is a great way to show appreciation for the person who greeted you and reciprocate the good wishes.
It is also a thoughtful way to extend well wishes to their loved ones, showing that you acknowledge and value their relationships.
The phrase ‘special time’ adds a personal touch to your message, making it more intimate and sincere.
Example conversation:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays.’
You: ‘How nice of you to say. I wish the same for you and your loved ones during this special time.’
15. What a lovely, thoughtful greeting. Happy Holidays to you as well
‘What a lovely, thoughtful greeting. Happy Holidays to you as well,’ is an excellent way to show appreciation when someone wishes you ‘Happy Holidays’ and return the greeting in an equally kind and thoughtful way.
By acknowledging their words as ‘lovely’ and ‘thoughtful’, you are showing that their words have made an impact on you and that you value their goodwill.
Example conversation:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays,’
You: ‘What a lovely, thoughtful greeting. Happy Holidays to you as well,’
16. Thank you, I hope your holidays are filled with happiness and love
‘Thank you, I hope your holidays are filled with happiness and love.’ is also a spot-on response to ‘Happy Holidays’ as it shows gratitude towards the person who greeted you and reciprocates the good wishes by adding ‘hope’ and ‘love’.
It conveys positivity and good vibes, which is perfect for the holiday season.
Example conversation:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays,’
You: ‘Thank you, I hope your holidays are filled with happiness and love.’
17. Same to you, May your season be bright and filled with joy
‘Same to you, May your season be bright and filled with joy’ is a great response to ‘Happy Holidays’ because it reciprocates the sentiment and well-wishes that were expressed to you.
The phrase is concise, straight to the point, and also conveys a sense of warmth and positivity. It can be used in a variety of settings, such as when speaking to colleagues or friends.
For example:
‘Happy Holidays dear friend’
‘Same to you, May your season be bright and filled with joy.’
18. How sweet, Wishing you peace, joy and all the happiness this season brings
‘How sweet, Wishing you peace, joy and all the happiness this season brings.’ is a sweet reply to ‘Happy Holidays’ which shows that their words have made an impact on you and that you appreciate their kindness.
The phrase ‘peace, joy, and all the happiness this season brings’ is a perfect way to acknowledge the essence of the holiday season.
Example conversation:
Person A: ‘Happy Holidays,’
You: ‘How sweet, Wishing you peace, joy and all the happiness this season brings.’
19. Many thanks, I wish you much light, laughter, and love this wonderful season
‘Many thanks, I wish you much light, laughter, and love this wonderful season’ is also a great response to ‘Happy Holidays’ which adds a unique and personal touch through the usage of ‘light, laughter, and love’.
It can be used in a more formal setting, such as in a business email, or a casual conversation with friends.
For example:
‘Happy Holidays, Colleague’
‘Many thanks, I wish you much light, laughter, and love this wonderful season.’
20. Why thank you kindly, May your holidays be full of cheer and good company
When someone greets you with ‘Happy Holidays,’ you want to respond in a way that shows appreciation and gratitude.
The phrase ‘Why thank you kindly, May your holidays be full of cheer and good company’ does just that.
It is a warm and sincere wish for the person’s holiday season which conveys a sense of friendliness and sets the tone for a positive exchange.
Example conversation:
Person A: Happy Holidays,
You: Why thank you kindly, May your holidays be full of cheer and good company.
21. Gratefully received. I wish you all the magic, mystery, and merriment this holiday holds
‘Gratefully received. I wish you all the magic, mystery, and merriment this holiday holds’ is a response to ‘Happy Holiday’ which expresses your gratitude uniquely and elegantly. It conveys a sense of thankfulness and respect for the person’s well wishes.
Example conversation:
Person A: Happy Holidays,
You: Gratefully received. I wish you all the magic, mystery, and merriment this holiday holds.
22. You’re too kind – thank you, Here’s hoping your holidays are filled with wonder, warmth, and joy galore
You’re too kind – thank you, Here’s hoping your holidays are filled with wonder, warmth, and joy galore’ is a cheerful response to when someone tells you ‘Happy Holidays’ because it acknowledges the holiday greeting while expressing gratitude for the sentiment.
The use of ‘you’re too kind’ adds a touch of humility and playfulness, making it a unique and engaging response.
For example, imagine a coworker wishes you happy holidays, and you respond with a smile, saying ‘You’re too kind – thank you, Here’s hoping your holidays are filled with wonder, warmth, and joy galore.’
23. Much appreciated, I wish you a season sprinkled with moments of laughter, loved ones, and sweet memories to last a lifetime
‘Much appreciated, I wish you a season sprinkled with moments of laughter, loved ones, and sweet memories to last a lifetime’ is a reply which shows gratitude for the kind wishes of ‘Happy Holidays’ while also returning warm wishes.
The use of ‘much appreciated’ acknowledges the sentiment behind the holiday greeting. By wishing the other person a season sprinkled with moments of laughter, loved ones, and sweet memories to last a lifetime, the response shows thoughtfulness and care for their well-being.
For example:
Coworker: Happy Holidays
You: Much appreciated, I wish you a season sprinkled with moments of laughter, loved ones, and sweet memories to last a lifetime.
24. Why, thank you ever so, I wish you holiday blessings of joy, peace, and goodwill toward all.
‘Why, thank you ever so, I wish you holiday blessings of joy, peace, and goodwill toward all’ Is a polite and gracious response to ‘Happy Holidays’.
This response adds a touch of charm and elegance while wishing the other person goodwill’
25. I’m all a-twitter with holiday cheer after receiving your kind wishes, I wish the same for you in abundance this festive season
When someone tells you ‘Happy Holidays,’ responding with ‘I’m all a-twitter with holiday cheer after receiving your kind wishes, I wish the same for you in abundance this festive season’ is a great way to show your appreciation and spread positivity.
This phrase is unique because it combines a playful, social media-inspired expression with a heartfelt sentiment. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a bit of humor and whimsy during the holidays.
For example, a friend sends you a holiday card and wishes you happy holidays. You could respond with this phrase to show your gratitude and spread good cheer.
26. Your holiday greetings bring smiles – thank you, I wish you holidays brimming with love, light, and all things bright
‘Your holiday greetings bring smiles – thank you, I wish you holidays brimming with love, light, and all things bright’ is a beautiful way of responding to someone’s ‘Happy Holiday’ greeting.
This phrase is unique because it uses poetic language and imagery to paint a vivid picture of what you hope for the person’s holiday season.
It’s perfect for those who appreciate the beauty and magic of the holidays. For example, imagine a colleague wishing you happy holidays before leaving for winter break.
You could respond with this phrase to show your appreciation and spread joy.
27. What a lovely sentiment, I wish you holidays full of fun, good food, and time spent with those you hold dear
‘What a lovely sentiment, I wish you holidays full of fun, good food, and time spent with those you hold dear’ is a warm and friendly way to return the sentiment of ‘Happy Holidays’ and express your wishes.
This phrase focuses on the importance of spending time with loved ones and enjoying the simple pleasures of the holiday season. If you value family and community during the holidays, endeavor to use this.
For example, a neighbor stopping by to drop off a holiday gift and wishing you happy holidays. You could respond with this phrase to show your appreciation and spread warmth.
28. Thank you kindly, and the same to you in spades, May the lights shine bright and your heart be full this special season
Responding to someone’s ‘Happy Holidays’ greeting with ‘Thank you kindly, and the same to you in spades, May the lights shine bright and your heart be full this special season’ is a gracious and elegant way to reciprocate the sentiment of ‘Happy Holidays’ and extend well wishes.
This phrase is unique because it uses an old-fashioned expression ‘in spades’ to convey an abundance of good wishes. It expresses a classic and refined spirit.
For example, a relative calling to wish you happy holidays. You could respond with this phrase to show your appreciation and spread elegance.
29. Much obliged, I wish you holidays sprinkled with moments of magic, along with hot cocoa and warm hugs aplenty
Much obliged, I wish you holidays sprinkled with moments of magic, along with hot cocoa and warm hugs aplenty’ exudes a sense of gratitude and appreciation and warm wishes as a great reply to ‘Happy Holidays’.
By using the phrase ‘much obliged,’ you are expressing your appreciation for their kind words and well wishes. The rest of the response paints a vivid picture of what you hope their holidays will be like – full of magic, warmth, and happiness.
The mention of hot cocoa and warm hugs adds a cozy touch, making the response even more endearing.
Example:
Person 1: ‘Happy Holidays.’
You: ‘Much obliged, I wish you holidays sprinkled with moments of magic, along with hot cocoa and warm hugs aplenty.’
30. Why, bless your heart, I wish you holidays bursting at the seams with laughter, good company, and sweet memories galore
‘Why, bless your heart, I wish you holidays bursting at the seams with laughter, good company, and sweet memories galore’ is a great response to ‘Happy Holidays’ which is particularly effective in southern regions of the United States where ‘bless your heart’ is a common expression of gratitude and well-wishing.
The phrase carries a genuine sense of warmth and affection, making it a great choice for responding to holiday greetings.
The rest of the response is equally warm and heartfelt, expressing your desire for their holidays to be filled with joy, good company, and cherished memories to look back on.
Example:
Person 1: ‘Happy Holidays.’
You: ‘Why, bless your heart, I wish you holidays bursting at the seams with laughter, good company, and sweet memories galore.’
Wrap Up
As the holiday season approaches, it’s always a great idea to spread some cheer and goodwill by sending warm wishes to your loved ones, colleagues, and acquaintances.
And what better way to do that than with a thoughtful and creative message? In this article, we’ve shared with you some of the best replies to happy holidays that will make your recipients feel appreciated and valued.
Remember, the holiday season is all about spreading happiness and joy, and what better way to do that than by sending a thoughtful and personalized message to those who matter to you?
So, go ahead and pick your favorite reply from our list, or use them as inspiration to craft your unique message.