By Elyssa Kirkham, Editor
As a federally recognized holiday, Christmas Day is commonly celebrated with family and honored with a day -- usually a few days -- off from the daily grind. Most employers grant employees a vacation for Christmas Day and New Year's Day, along with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve for some, but what's protocol for the service industry? While we're all off work, it's helpful to know the services and stores open on Christmas Day 2014.
We will continue to update this list live on GOBankingRates as more organizations release their Christmas hours.
To help you plan your grocery-shopping and mail-delivery needs, along with where to go for a quick bite during the holidays, GOBankingRates created a guide of holiday operating hours for popular restaurants, retailers, supermarkets and post offices during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. Some information is based on 2013 holiday store hours, while other retailers and restaurants have confirmed 2014 business hours.
Know where to go in a pinch and spare yourself a disappointing drive to a retailer or grocer that might be closed as last-minute shopping and meal preparations are taking place.
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2014
Christmas Eve can be a questionable holiday when it comes to store and restaurant hours. While it isn't a holiday itself, it's often given as a courtesy to employees to help them prepare for the following day's celebration. When it comes to restaurants, however, you're in luck as most franchise restaurants are open on Christmas Eve.
That said, here is a list of restaurants open on Christmas Day 2014 (based on previous years' Christmas Day hours). Open hours for these eateries vary by location, so call your nearest location before making the trip.
- Baskin-Robbins
- Burger King
- Denny's*
- Dunkin' Donuts
- IHOP
- Jack in the Box
- McDonald's
- Panda Express
- Pizza Hut
- Sonic Drive-In
- Starbucks Coffee
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Waffle House
*Denny's is the one restaurant we found that has confirmed 24/7 service for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2014.
Albertsons Among Grocery Stores Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
It can be stressful to prepare for the holidays, especially if you're the host of a large family gathering. Beyond gifts, you'll likely have to provide a meal for your guests or might be asked to bring something to your relative's home.
Based on last year's grocery store data, you can expect these major supermarkets to be open on Christmas Eve. It is wise, however, to call your local store to confirm Christmas Eve hours in your area:
- Albertsons: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Kroger: Open until 6 p.m.
- Publix: Open until 7 p.m.
- Whole Foods: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Trader Joe's confirmed that its grocery stores will be open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve 2014.
When it comes to Christmas Day grocery store hours, the following grocers are expected to be open for limited hours based on 2013 data:
- Albertsons: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Fresh & Easy: 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Additionally, GOBankingRates reached out to a local, Los Angeles representative at CVS as well as Walgreens, who both confirmed 24-our locations will remain open on Christmas Eve and day. Non-24 hour CVS locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas day, while non-24 hour Walgreens will follow traditional store hours. Even so, it's recommended you check with your nearby store to confirm these hours will be recognized locally.
Are Post Offices and Retail Stores Open on Christmas Eve?
Based on 2013 holiday store hours, expect these retail stores to be open on Christmas Eve, albeit for abbreviated hours.
The below holiday store hours reflect 2013 Christmas Eve findings:
- 7-Eleven: Open 24 hours
- Apple Stores: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Babies"R"Us: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Barnes & Noble: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bed, Bath & Beyond: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Best Buy: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dick's Sporting Goods: Open until 6 p.m.
- Dollar General: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Gap: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- IKEA: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Kmart: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Macy's: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Marshalls: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Meijer: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Michaels: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nordstrom: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Old Navy: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sears: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Staples: Open until 7 p.m.
- Target: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- TJX: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Holiday store hours for the following were confirmed for Christmas Eve 2014:
- BJ's Wholesale: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Costco: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- GameStop: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Hobby Lobby: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- JCPenney: Open at 7 a.m., however closing times vary
- Kohl's: 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Toys"R"Us: 12 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Retail Stores Closed on Christmas Day 2014
The following retailers disclosed their 2014 Christmas Day store hours and will be closed:
- BJ's Wholesale
- Costco
- GameStop
- Hobby Lobby
- JCPenney
- Kohl's
- Walmart
Those needing to send last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve will have to make it to the post office by 12 p.m., as most U.S. Post Office lobbies will close at this time. Regular mail delivery will still occur on Christmas Eve. Post office Christmas Eve hours and delivery services also apply to New Year's Eve, however, post offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Photo credit: John Martinez Pavliga