A simple, innocent “Happy New Year” turned into a surprisingly animated debate about when it’s socially acceptable to stop saying it during a changemaker ops meeting the other day. 🤔
Different views. Different cutoffs. Plenty of opinions.
Which felt very on-brand for us, so we thought we’d share it with the world.
I’ll Start With My Position (Because It Makes Life Easier 😄)
I think “Happy New Year” is fair game for the whole of January.
And if you haven’t spoken to someone yet this year?
I think you can say it whenever you see them.
There. I’ve said it.
Not as a rule.
Not as a hill I’m willing to die on.
Just a bit of common sense wrapped in good intention 😊
And before anyone jumps in with, “Surely there’s a cutoff?”
Yes, I get it. People absolutely have their own internal deadlines.
Which is where this gets interesting…
Everyone Has Their Own “Cutoff” ⏰
Ask ten people when to stop saying “Happy New Year” and you’ll get ten different answers.
Some go with:
- 🎒 The first week back at work
- 🎄 When the Christmas decorations come down
- 😐 After Blue Monday
- 🐉 After Chinese New Year
- 🤷 Or simply… “when it starts to feel weird”
All perfectly valid.
Slightly inconsistent.
Very human.
So let’s unpick where these ideas come from.
The Official(ish) Rules We All Half-Remember 📜
Enter the imaginary social rulebook.
Take Christmas decorations, for example.
Traditionally, they’re meant to come down on Twelfth Night (5 or 6 January, depending on who you ask). Leave them up longer and, apparently, you’re inviting bad luck 😬
In reality?
Most of the UK quietly ignores this and takes them down when:
- 🌲 The tree starts shedding
- 🪜 The loft ladder makes an appearance
- 😅 Or guilt finally outweighs effort
If Christmas itself gets a grace period, it feels harsh to clamp down on New Year greetings quite so quickly.
Then Comes Blue Monday (Apparently) 😵💫
Mid-January brings us Blue Monday, usually the third Monday of the month.
The so-called most depressing day of the year, thanks to:
- 🌑 Dark mornings
- ❄️ Cold weather
- 💸 Empty bank accounts
- ⏳ And the realisation that January is still very much in progress
Yes, it was originally a marketing concept.
But emotionally? It still feels real.
My view?
- Saying “Happy New Year” before Blue Monday? Absolutely fine 👍
- Saying it after Blue Monday? You might actually be doing someone a favour 😄
And Then… It’s Still January 🗓️
This is the bit we conveniently ignore.
January doesn’t politely end halfway through the month.
It just… keeps going.
So if you haven’t seen someone since December, why wouldn’t you say it?
- You haven’t had the chance yet
- The year is still new
- And let’s be honest, optimism is in short supply by mid-January
Christmas comfortably occupies the whole of December.
Why shouldn’t New Year get the whole of January?
A Curveball: Chinese New Year 🐲✨
Just as the Western world starts shaking off January, along comes Chinese New Year, usually in late January. And it’s lovely.
Full of symbolism, renewal, family, and hope.
If we’re happy to celebrate that with our Chinese colleagues, friends, and communities (as we should), then the idea of an early January cutoff starts to feel a bit arbitrary.
The Valentine’s Day Line (My Unofficial Rule 💘)
If I had to draw a line somewhere, it would probably be Valentine’s Day.
Once:
- 🛍️ The shops turn pink
- 💌 Cards get aggressively romantic
- 🫠 And New Year energy has fully evaporated
…then yes, “Happy New Year” might be pushing it.
But until then?
Crack on.
My Verdict 🧭
- First half of January: ✅ Completely normal
- Whole of January: ✅ Socially acceptable
- After Chinese New Year: ✅ Still fine if you haven’t seen them
- After Valentine’s Day: 🤏 Alright… maybe let it go
And honestly? I don’t think it’s ever wrong.
A “Happy New Year” isn’t about the calendar.
It’s about intention.
So from all of us at changemaker, here’s wishing you a Happy New Year 🎉
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, and whenever you actually read this 😊
Over to You 👇
So, facts and logic aside…
When should the cutoff be?
Should we ever stop wishing people happiness?
- First week back?
- Blue Monday?
- End of January?
- Or never?
Cast your vote.
And if someone tells you it’s too late… smile and wish them a good one anyway 😄
changemaker is a people-first change management service and delivery partner, helping organisations make change happen in a way that people believe in, contribute to, and sustain.
We work alongside leaders and teams to design, deliver, and embed transformation by connecting people, process, and purpose. Whether supporting leadership development, cultural change, or large-scale transformation, our focus is always on the human side of change — building confidence, capability, and ownership so outcomes last, not just land.
If you’re exploring change that needs to deliver results and bring people with it, learn more at www.changemaker.org.uk or contact us at info@changemaker.org.uk.