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What is Open and Closed Christmas Day 2016?

December 23, 2015 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Christmas Day is on Friday, Dec. 25. If you plan to head out, it is best to know what will be open and closed on the holiday. We have compiled a list of important establishments that you might want to visit during the holidays. Remember to always double check if your chosen establishment is open just to avoid the hassle.

Here’s a look at what’s open and closed on Christmas Day:

Sanitation

There will be no garbage collection, no recycling and no street cleaning. Trash collection for households with normal Friday pickup will be rescheduled on Monday. Recyclables will be picked up the following week.

Major Consumer Retail Stores

The big retail stores are closed. Majority of the retailers will be closed on Christmas. This includes the big stores such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Macy’s, etc. A whole bunch of them are open on Christmas Eve but will close earlier than the usual.

Transit

Buses and trains on special holiday schedule

Drug Store Chains

Drug stores are open. Some drug stores are closed but both CVS and Walgreens stores will be open December 25, and Rite Aid will have select stores open (You’ll need to call to confirm if your local Rite Aid will be open.).

Grocery Stores

Most grocery stores are closed on Christmas Day, and most of the major grocery store chains will remain closed on December 25.

Convenience Stores

Most major chain convenience stores are open while others are closed. Both 7-11 and Circle K are open on Christmas, but some smaller convenience stores may be closed for the day.

Commodities and Stock Markets

The commodities and stock markets are closed. Both major US stock markets (the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ) are closed on Christmas Day.

Restaurants

It’s best to call ahead to confirm if you plan to go out to eat on Christmas. The vast majority of independently owned restaurants will be closed. Some restaurants will be open, while others will be closed.

Gas and Service Stations

Most gas stations will be open. There will be some gas stations which close but it shouldn’t be difficult to find a least one if you’re in need of filling up your car. Gas Stations along major travel routes and highways should be open for travelers as well, for those choosing to drive due to low gas prices. The service area of gas stations will most likely be closed. So be careful when your car breaks down. Make sure it’s in good condition while travelling.

Libraries

Libraries are closed. Public libraries won’t be open on Christmas Day. You will want to check with your local library, but many libraries also close the day after Christmas.

Schools

All public, parochial, and private schools will be closed on Christmas day. Many schools are on winter holiday and won’t be in resume until the New Year. Colleges will be closed as well.

State Department of Motor Vehicles

Department of Motor Vehicles is a state-mandated service. However, it will be closed on Christmas day.

Federal Government Offices

Government offices are closed. City, State and Federal offices which aren’t essential will be closed on Christmas, as it’s an official federal holiday. Essential government services like air traffic controllers, police and fire departments will carry on, and be open in case they’re necessary.

Local & State Government Offices

Local and State government offices are closed. Along with federal government offices, local and state non-essential government offices will be closed on Christmas Day. Those departments needed for safety (police, fire) will remain open.

Banks, Credit Unions & Financial Markets

Credit unions, Banks and Financial Markets are closed. Credit unions, banks and similar financial institutions will be closed on Christmas day. ATMs, websites and apps where limited banking services can be done will be available.

Post Offices

Post offices are closed. As a federal holiday, post offices will close on Christmas Day, and there will be no mail delivery. The post office will be open during regular business hours the day after Christmas.

If there is a specific office or store you are wondering about, be sure to call them and make sure of their Christmas hours.

What Is Open and What Is Closed on Thanksgiving Day 2016?

November 24, 2015 By Guest Writer 1 Comment

Though many places have been receiving criticism for it, a good amount of retailers will be opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day for shoppers to get a kick start on their holiday shopping. While Black Friday has been the traditional day to shop, most stores will be opening earlier than the usual in hopes of luring in early-bird holiday shoppers. Most stores are now open on Thanksgiving Day, but there are still a few retailers keeping the tradition of letting the employees spend the holiday with their families.

These decisions are a thing of controversy. REI, for instance, received a flood of praise for its firm decision to stay closed on what ShopperTrak predicts will be the busiest sales day of the season. Many consumers see employees being forced to work on a holiday centered around family to be a shame, and they blame the company for doing so.

Many shoppers claim that because of the convenience of Internet shopping, there is no need for retailers to stay open on Thanksgiving Day. As a result of the retailers being open, many employees are scheduled to work and forced to make their families take a backseat. In 2014, an estimated 134 million people shopped online and in stores over Thanksgiving weekend, according to the National Retail Federation. Friday was the busiest day of that weekend, with 87 million shoppers making purchases on the day known as Black Friday.

So, what is open this Thursday (Thanksgiving) and what is not? It may be hard to decipher which retailers are maintaining the traditional values or are pushing their employees to work the holidays.

Retailers that are choosing to open their doors Thanksgiving Day include:
Big Lots
Bealls
Belk
CVS
Gander Mountain
Goody’s
Gordmans
HH Gregg
J.C. Penney
K-Mart
Kohl’s
Lord & Taylor
Macy’s
Meijer
Michaels
Old Navy
Palais Royal
Peebles
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH
Sears
Stage
Target
Toys R Us
Walmart

Other retailers, however, are keeping their doors closed and allowing their employees to stay at home with family:
American Girl
Barnes and Noble
BJ’s
Costco
DSW
GameStop
Guitar Center
Half Price Books
The Home Depot
IKEA
Jo-Ann
Marshalls
Mattress Firm
Nordstrom
Patagonia
P.C. Richard & Son
Pier 1
Saks Fifth Avenue
Sam’s Club
Staples
Tractor Supply

Many consumers will be taking advantage of the earlier opening times this holiday. Although it means they will have to leave the dinner table early and go and stand on long lines, many people will go out in search of the best deals.

If you are pondering going out this weekend to cross a few items off your holiday gift list, be sure you have a plan of action. If you are going to one of the stores that are open on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, be sure you know exactly what you are going in the store to get. Many retailers map out where hot items are located. Get a map and have a plan so that you have a successful shopping trip with as little stress as possible.

Are the Post Offices open or Closed on Veterans Day 2016?

November 6, 2015 By Guest Writer 1 Comment

Federal holidays can be confusing for even the most organized people. Some businesses operate on regular business hours. Other businesses are closed. Almost all retailers are open on holidays and have sales.

This year Veterans Day (Nov. 11) falls on a Friday, when the post office is normally open for business. With the holiday falling at the end of the week, many people are asking, “Is the post office open or closed on Veterans Day?”

Are Post Offices Open or Closed on Veterans Day?

Post offices are closed on Veterans Day. The Post Office closes in observance of ten federal holidays. Veterans Day, November 11th, is one of the federal holidays that the post office observes. Since Veterans Day falls on a Friday this year, the post office will be closed on Friday, November 11th. The post office will also be closed for the following holidays in 2016:

Thursday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving Day

Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day

Although postal employees will not be working, there will be limited services available at your local post office. Customers who rent mailboxes at postal locations will be able to access their post office box as they would on a Sunday. No new mail will be delivered to the box on Veterans Day. Most post offices have automated postage machines in their lobbies where customers can calculate and purchase postage. The lobbies will be open to purchase postage from the automated postage machines and drop outgoing mail. Outgoing mail will not be picked up from mailboxes on Veterans Day.

There will be no mail delivery to residences or businesses on Veterans Day, except for Priority Mail Express. Priority Mail Express items are delivered by the post office 365 days a year (yes even on Christmas Day). Not all service areas are eligible for Priority Mail Express delivery on Sundays and holidays, but delivery is available in most major markets. If you need to ship something with delivery on November 11th, check with your post office to make sure that Sunday and holiday delivery is available at the destination.

What Days Will Mail Be Delivered?

Mail delivery service is confusing when a holiday falls in the middle of the week. This is the mail schedule for the week of Veterans Day:

Sunday, Nov. 6 – Closed

Monday, Nov. 7 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Closed

Thursday, Nov. 10 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Friday, Nov. 11 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Saturday, Nov. 12 – Regular Saturday service.

What if you need to ship something on Veterans Day and cannot wait for the post office to open on Thursday? There are a few other options to ship your package.

Is FedEx Open?

FedEx is open on Veterans Day. FedEx will provide normal delivery and pick up service on Veterans Day. If you plan to drop off at a FedEx store, check their operating hours before heading out.

Is UPS Open?

UPS is open on Veterans Day. UPS will provide normal delivery and pick up service on Veterans Day.