Christmas

How to Get a Free Christmas Tree

November 29, 2018 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Thanksgiving has come and gone and most people have begun preparing for the next holiday: Christmas. One of the key pieces of a great Christmas celebration is a tree. The average Christmas tree can cost anywhere from $25 to $100 (and more if you are looking for something fancy and artificial). However, there are a few ways you can score a free Christmas tree.

Free Christmas Trees For Military & Military Families

Families of active-duty military members can get a free, live Christmas tree through the Christmas Spirit Foundation. To get a free tree, you and your family must live on a military base. Those interested in receiving a free Christmas tree through the foundation will also need to check this list to see if your installation is receiving Christmas trees. If the Christmas Spirit Foundation is delivering trees to your unit, you should check your base’s communication channels for additional information on next steps. You can also contact your family service center or call the foundation at 800-965-1653.

The Christmas Tree Project

Another great organization giving away free Christmas trees this year is The Christmas Tree Project. This outfit gives away trees to families in need throughout the holiday season. The project began in 2010 after a husband and wife gave away a Christmas tree on Craigslist. Since then they’ve given away more than 2,000 fully decorated Christmas trees across the United States. You can request a tree on the organization’s website.

Local Programs

Outside of the national and international organizations listed above, there are also a plethora of local programs willing to hook you up with a free Christmas tree. Keep an eye out in your local newspaper and on community bulletin boards for additional information on locally run programs.

Be a Fourth Grader (or Have One)

Fourth graders can get a free Christmas tree every year through the Every Kid in a Park initiative. This program runs through Christmas Eve and gives fourth graders a free voucher for a permit to harvest their own tree from one of the 17 national parks (Eastern Region). To get your tree, just present the voucher. Then you’ll be given information on what types of trees you cut and what area you can harvest from.

Christmas can be tough financially. Between the decorations, food, gifts, and other costs, it can be overwhelming. However, if you qualify to get a free Christmas tree, you can get into the holiday spirit without spending much at all.

Readers, do you know of any other ways to get a free Christmas tree? Let us know in the comments!

Is Target Open on Christmas Day 2017?

December 21, 2017 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

Shopping during the holidays can get hectic between work and holiday parties. Knowing when stores are open and closed can be confusing for even the most organized shoppers. Almost all stores used to close on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but some stores have started opening on Thanksgiving Day to start the holiday shopping season. To make store hours more confusing, many major retailers open extended hours the week before Christmas to help all the last-minute shoppers finish their holiday gift lists.

If you did procrastinate and leave your shopping to the last-minute, you may be wondering just how much time you have left to shop. When planning your week to finish shopping and get ready for the holiday, you might be asking what stores are open and their hours. Is Target open on Christmas Day?

Download a printable Target Holiday Schedule.

Is Target Open Christmas Day?

Target will be closed on Christmas Day. Christmas Day and Easter Sunday are the only holidays that Target stores close. On most other holidays Target stores are open regular hours or for limited hours.

When will Target stores be open Christmas Week?

Target stores may be closed on Christmas Day, but they are open for extended hours the week before Christmas to give everyone a chance to finish their last-minute shopping before Christmas Day. Check with your local store, but most Target stores will be open the following hours:

Sunday, December 17, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Monday, December 18, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday, December 19, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday, December 20, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday, December 21, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday, December 22, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday, December 23, 2017: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday, December 24, 2017: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Monday, December 25, 2017: Closed
Tuesday, Decembe 26, 2017:

Can I Shop on the Target Website?

If you can’t make it to your local Target store, there are lots of delivery and pick up options available through the Target website. It’s always a good idea to place your online orders early so they will be delivered in time for the holiday. The Post Office is also operating are holiday hours Christmas week. Here are some options available at Target.com:

Order by December 21st for free standard shipping with delivery by Christmas
$10 same-day delivery – in limited markets Target is offering same-day delivery for an additional $10 fee. Place your order by 1:30PM Monday-Saturday to receive it 6:00-9:00 PM that evening
Instacart – shoppers in Minneapolis, St. Paul, San Francisco & San Jose can make an order through the Instacart app and have their items delivered by a personal shopper within 2 hours
Same-day in-store pickup for some items. When placing your order online you will be able to see if the item is available for same day pick up at your local store
Curbside pickup – shoppers in selected areas of San Jose, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia & Chicago can place orders through the Curbside app and have their order brought to their car

If you are having a hard time finding the perfect gift for someone, consider purchasing them a gift card instead. A gift card to the recipient’s favorite restaurant or spa would be greatly appreciated as a way to treat themselves after the stress of the holiday season. If you’re not sure of their favorite store or restaurant, American Express, Visa and MasterCard prepaid cards are a great gift idea. The recipient can treat themselves wherever they like.

Is Costco Open on Christmas Day 2017?

December 21, 2017 By Alexa Mason 3 Comments

The holiday season is a crazy time of year, and many people don’t have time to get to the store before Christmas Eve, or even Christmas Day. However, many stores have altered hours at this time of year, so it is important to know when stores open and close. One of the larger retailers, Costco, is one people often wonder about.

Most stores used to close on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but now that more retailers on open on the Thanksgiving holiday, some people are confused about whether they stay closed on Christmas. Oftentimes, stores have extended hours the week of Christmas, which adds to the confusion. When you are trying to plan out your week of shopping, you are probably wondering, is Costco open on Christmas Day?

Download a printable Costco Holiday Schedule.

Is Costco open Christmas Day?

Costco will be closed on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is one of only a few holidays that all Costco stores close their doors.

When will Costco stores be open Christmas Week?

Many retailers are open for extended hours the week before Christmas to give everyone a chance to finish their last-minute shopping before Christmas Day. Most Costco stores are open 24 hours so they will not be open for extended hours, but they will be operating on a different schedule Christmas week. Check with your local store, but most Costco stores will be open the following hours:

Sunday, December 17, 2017: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Monday, December 18, 2017: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday, December 19, 2017: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday, December 20, 2017: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday, December 21, 2017: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday, December 22, 2017: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday, December 23, 2017: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 24, 2017: Closing at 5 PM
Monday, December 25, 2017: Closed.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017: Check with your local store to verify what time they will reopen.

Will Costco Online be Available?

You will be able to visit the company’s website to purchase items throughout the week. However, the deadlines for items expected to arrive on Christmas has passed, so you may want to pop in the store before Friday to get all of your gifts out of the way. If you are stuck on what to get someone, a gift card always makes a nice gift. Make it something that they like, like a gift card to their favorite restaurant or spa would be greatly appreciated as a way to treat themselves after the stress of the holiday season. If you’re not sure of their favorite store or restaurant, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard prepaid cards are a great gift idea. The recipient can treat themselves wherever they like.

If you are wondering about a specific store’s hours of operation during Christmas week, call and ask about the hours. Some smaller stores and locally-owned retailers may be closed for more than one day. Other stores, like Costco, will only close for Christmas Day. Plan out your shopping, and make sure you get there before the doors close. Happy shopping!

Is Walmart Open on Christmas Day 2017?

December 21, 2017 By James Hendrickson 2 Comments

The holidays can be hectic between shopping, work, and holiday parties. Many of us procrastinate and leave our shopping to the last-minute. It’s important to know when stores are open and closed so that you can plan your week and finish shopping before Christmas Day. If you are shipping gifts, you also have to be aware of when the post office will be open.

Almost all stores used to close on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but some stores have started opening on Thanksgiving Day to start the holiday shopping season. To make store hours even more confusing, many major retailers are open extended hours the week before Christmas. When planning your week to finish shopping and get ready for the holiday, you might be asking what stores are open and their hours. Is Walmart open on Christmas Day?

Download a printable Walmart Holiday Schedule.

Is Walmart Open Christmas Day?

Walmart will be closed on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is the only holiday that all Walmart stores close. They do not open for limited hours like on Thanksgiving Day.

Walmart Christmas Hours

Many retailers are open for extended hours the week before Christmas to give everyone a chance to finish their last-minute shopping before Christmas Day. Most Walmart stores are open 24 hours so they will not be open for extended hours, but they will be operating on a different schedule Christmas week. Check with your local store, but most Walmart stores will be open the following hours:

Sunday, December 17, 2017: Regular hours
Monday, December 18, 2017: Regular hours
Tuesday, December 19, 2017: Regular hours
Wednesday, December 20, 2017: Regular hours
Thursday, December 21, 2017: Regular hours
Friday, December 22, 2017: Regular hours
Saturday, December 23, 2017: Closing at 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 24, 2017: Closing at 8:00 PM
Monday, December 15, 2017: Closed
Tuesday, December 26, 2017: Check your local store for what time it will reopen.

Is Walmart.com Available on Christmas?

If you can’t make it to your local Walmart store, there are plenty of delivery and pick up options available through the Walmart website. It’s always a good idea to place your online orders early so they will be delivered in time for the holiday. Here are some options available at Walmart.com:

Order by December 20th for free standard shipping with delivery by Christmas
Order by December 21st for expedited shipping with delivery by Christmas
Order by December 22nd for rush shipping
Order by December 23rd for in-store pick by Christmas

Not all stores have same day in-store pickup. You will be able to see when your item will be available for in-store pickup when placing online orders. Since service varies by location, you may not want to wait until December 23rd and risk not receiving your item in time for Christmas.

If you are having a hard time finding the perfect gift for someone and running out of time, consider purchasing them a gift card. A gift card to the recipient’s favorite restaurant or spa would be greatly appreciated as a way to treat themselves after the stress of the holiday season. If you’re not sure of their favorite store or restaurant, American Express, Visa and MasterCard prepaid cards are a great gift idea. The recipient can treat themselves wherever they like.

Is the Stock Market Open on Christmas Day 2017?

December 20, 2017 By James Hendrickson 3 Comments

Active traders need to know when the stock market is open and closed. Missing a day that the market is open can significantly impact the value of your stocks. Market openings and closings can be confusing during the holidays, in particular during Christmas week. Are the stock markets open on Christmas Day?

When people refer to the stock market they are generally referring to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ. The stock market observes most federal holidays just like banks, but not all. The NYSE and NASDAQ follow the same schedule when observing federal holidays. The bond market also referred to as SIFMA, does not follow the same schedule as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.

Download a printable 2018 Stock Market Holiday Schedule.

Is the Stock Market be Open on Christmas Day?

The stock market will be closed on Christmas Day. The stock market is closed on Christmas Day. Because Christmas falls on a Monday this year the market will also be closed on Saturday, Sunday (Christmas Eve), and Monday, December 25 (the observed Christmas holiday). You will not be able to make trades and follow the change in a value of your stocks and the New York Stock Exchange index December 22nd through December 25th.

Will NASDAQ be Open on Christmas Day?

NASDAQ will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2017. Like the NYSE, NASDAQ will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. If you trade within the NASDAQ market, you will be able to make trades and monitor changes in the value of your stocks on Friday, December 22 and then again on Tuesday, December 26.

Will the Bond Market be Open on Christmas?

The bond market will be closed on Christmas Day. The bond market, also known as the SIMFA, will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. If you are following bonds it is important to keep track of the dates that the bond market may be closed. Bond market closings are not enforced but merely recommended by SIMFA.

The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) is closed each year in observance of the following federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. When holidays fall on the weekend, like Christmas did, the holiday is recognized on either a Friday or Monday.

The stock market normally closes at 5:00 PM EST, but there are two days during the year that the stock market closes early. Normally on Black Friday and Christmas Eve, the market is only open until 1:00 PM EST.

It is important to note that the NASDAQ follows the same schedule as the New York Stock Exchange. The closing times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). If you are an active trader or planning on making trades before the end of 2017, it is very important to keep track of the stock market’s schedule so that you know when the stock market is open and closed. If you do have an urgent trade to make before the holiday, make sure you place your trading order with enough time for it to be executed before the market closes.

Are Banks Open on Christmas Day 2017?

December 20, 2017 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

Bank operating hours used to be clear. Banks were open 9-5 Monday to Friday, but banking hours have changed in recent years. Some banks even have branches that open on Sunday. With these new changes, bank and credit union operating hours during the holidays can be confusing. It’s hard to know when businesses like banks and the post office will be open and closed. So, you might be wondering, are banks open on Christmas Day?

Download a printable 2018 Post Office Holiday Schedule.

Are There Any Banks Open on Christmas?

Banks are closed on Christmas Day. Banks will also be closed the day after Christmas this year. Although some banks open on some federal holidays such as Veterans Day, they are normally closed on federal holidays. Christmas Day is a federal holiday that will be observed on Monday, December 25. So, not only will banks be closed on Sunday (as usual) but they will also be closed on Monday, December 25, 2017.

Are Credit Unions Open on Christmas?

Credit unions are closed on Christmas Day. Most credit unions follow the same policy as banks and close in observance of federal holidays. Christmas Day is a federal holiday and credit unions will be closed on Christmas Day and the day after (the observed Christmas holiday).

Banking Available on Christmas

If you cannot wait and must do your banking on Sunday or Monday, there are some banking options available on the Christmas holiday. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and banking apps are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most banking customers will be able to do the majority of their regular banking transactions on Monday, December 25, 2017, even though the banking centers are closed. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at ATMs. Deposits can also be made via the banking institution’s app. Bill payments can also be made through the bank’s app or online banking.

Customers should keep in mind that although they are able to perform banking transactions on Christmas Day, those transactions will not post to their account until the next banking day. Don’t wait until Christmas Day to pay a bill through your online banking that is due on Sunday. Transactions will take longer to process because of the holiday. If a bill payment is scheduled, the bank will not begin processing payment on Sunday. The bank will begin processing payment on the next banking day, which will be Tuesday. Also, depending on your bank’s funds availability policy, a check deposited on Christmas Day may not be available immediately and will not be processed until the next banking day. For example, if your bank makes deposits available the next business day, a check deposited on Christmas Day will not be available on Monday. The funds may not be available until Wednesday.

Bank Schedule Christmas Week

Business hours for banks and credit unions can be confusing when a holiday falls during the week. Here are the operating hours for most banks and credit unions the week of Christmas.

Tuesday, December 19 – Open for regular business hours
Wednesday, December 20 – Open for regular business hours
Thursday, December 21 – Open for regular business hours
Friday, December 22 – Open for regular business hours
Saturday, December 23 – Some banks may be closed on Saturday
Sunday, December 24 – Most banks will be closed
Monday, December 25 – Closed
Tuesday, December 26 – Many banks and credit unions will be closed