What's the cut-off date for wishing someone

What's the cut-off date for wishing someone a happy new year? Is the end of January too late?

By Jason Kottke • Jan 31, 2007 at 03:29 pm • holidays

There are 22 reader comments

mike • Jan 31 2007 • 3:31PM

Depends on how often you see them. If it's your wife - it is definitely too late.

brunette babe • Jan 31 2007 • 3:50PM

I think right up to the end of January is fine for someone you haven't seen yet in 07. But here in New Zealand we've just ticked over to the 1st of Feb and that's where I draw the line.

mau • Jan 31 2007 • 3:53PM

I think that within a couple weeks onto January.

No more.

But I like Justin's idea though.

I vote for 7-10 days after and no later. I hate saying it at all. Still, some people will say it the first time they see you in January of said new year. I got that at a party on the 20th and it just felt wrong. But she's really annoying anyway.

dgibbphoto • Jan 31 2007 • 3:55PM

I think February 20th is good.
That way you get the Chinese New Year in there as well.

Trent • Jan 31 2007 • 3:55PM

There is no cutoff date. If they raise an eyebrow, claim that today is the New Year in the Malthusian calendar (or your own favorite bogus Jon Hodgman-esque term ... Kottkeian).

sarah • Jan 31 2007 • 3:56PM

Feel free to wish them Gung hei fat choi (2/18, this year). You can be early!

Cory • Jan 31 2007 • 3:59PM

I have often wondered about this. I've noticed folks look at you askew any time after the first week after the new year when you wish them a happy new year. they say 'oh. right. er, happy new year'.

Christian • Jan 31 2007 • 4:03PM

You obviously have to consult Seinfeld for such a dilemma.

Justin • Jan 31 2007 • 4:35PM

I overheard someone saying it today and it was the first time it's sounded weird to me. This post showing up today is too big a coincidence to ignore, so clearly the answer is: yesterday, January 30th was the last day it was okay to say "Happy New Year."

Dan Boland • Jan 31 2007 • 4:58PM

By the first Friday of the new year. After that, you just sound like a goof. But then again, I still see people with their Christmas trees set up.

Adrian R • Jan 31 2007 • 5:23PM

September 23rd

Silver Nitrate • Jan 31 2007 • 5:28PM

Never if you're clever.

http://fullchordpress.com/about.html

Andy Cunningham • Jan 31 2007 • 5:39PM

I tend to wish people I haven't see all year a happy new year for the first few weeks of January - no longer than that.

markm • Jan 31 2007 • 5:40PM

Let me be the last to wish you a 'Happy New Year'.

kevin • Jan 31 2007 • 5:40PM

Eh -- my family just celebrated Xmas the weekend before last, so late is better than never, I guess.

Andrew Ferguson • Jan 31 2007 • 5:42PM

The next Federal holiday following New Years. In this case, January 15th... Martin Luther king Jr. Day.

Ayush • Feb 01 2007 • 1:57AM

I'd draw the line at January 15.

Dave Vogt • Feb 01 2007 • 2:42AM

The last day to say Happy New Year is the end of the first work-week of January. If you haven't had a chance to see your coworkers and wish them an obligatory prosperous new one, you honestly don't really care if they have a good year or not. What's the point, then?

So the end of the first work week in January. Unless you celebrate a different new year, but they typically have their own name for you to wish someone. For example, you would be very late wishing someone a happy Rosh Hashanah

Xavier • Feb 01 2007 • 9:34AM

I just sent them ! :)
Well, actually, yesterday, the 31st. Apparently here in France that's the limit.

Ajit • Feb 01 2007 • 11:11AM

Happy New Year!

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.