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Christmas Eve 2024: Which Stores Are Open & Which Stores Are Closed?
December 19, 2024
Christmas Eve is just around the corner, and people are wondering what stores will be open and what stores will be closed. Whether they need to do some last-minute shopping or just need to get an emergency gallon of milk, Americans all over the country will need to know where they can go, whether they celebrate the holiday or not. So, what’s going on?
Christmas Eve 2024: Most Stores Will Be Open
According to MyCentralJersey, most stores will be open on Christmas Eve. However, they will have modified hours so workers can get home to be with their families.
Various ALDI locations and Stop & Shop locations will close early on Dec. 24, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, while Lidl locations will close at 7 p.m. Trader Joe’s, meanwhile, will close between 5 and 6 p.m., depending on the specific location, while Target will remain open until 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Walmart and Wegmans locations will close at 6 p.m., while Whole Foods will remain open until 7 p.m. ShopRite stores, however, are all independently owned and operated, and the hours may vary. It’s best to check with your local ShopRite to find out its particular Christmas Eve hours.
The Cheapism blog, meanwhile, reports that select Albertsons locations will be open until 4 p.m., while Vons locations have varying hours (check with your local store for details). Walgreens, on the other hand, has regular hours on Dec. 24, as will 7-Eleven, Wawa, Speedway, and Circle K.
Publix locations will close at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, while Costco and Home Depot will close at 5 p.m. HD rival Lowe’s, meanwhile, will close at 6 p.m.
Gift Shipping Deadlines
Stores aren’t the only things on deadlines for Christmas Eve, though. It’s difficult to overlook the sheer volume of FedEx, UPS, and USPS vehicles on crowded residential streets as the holidays approach.
It may not be surprising that courier services and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are busier than at any other time of the year given the popularity of online shopping and the fact that many Americans have friends and family who reside far away.
The shipping providers have shared some deadlines for consumers to keep in mind, though they can vary significantly based on a number of factors pertaining to your mail (destination, size, etc.).
For instance, if you choose FedEx Ground Economy for your loved one to get his or her gifts before Christmas Eve, FedEx advised that your packages be delivered by Dec. 13. FedEx SameDay is always an option, but the expense of the privilege could cost you hundreds of dollars.
As WRAL pointed out, UPS recommended a general limit of Dec. 16 for its economy service, UPS Ground. This year, Dec. 19 is the last day for UPS 3 Day Select.
Lastly, the USPS published its Christmas Eve shipping deadline dates. Priority Mail must be in carrier possession by Dec. 19, USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail by Dec. 18, and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 21. Delivery to the lower 48 states is included in the data above. There are separate deadlines for Alaska and Hawaii.
It’s critical that your mail reach a carrier before the deadline, if not earlier. Nonetheless, people who are anticipating mail should take safety measures to make sure they can also receive goods safely.
Susan Wright, a strategic communications professional at USPS, recently had a chance to voice her opinions on this frequently overlooked topic, as WOODTV reported.
“Not just during the holiday season, but really all winter long, we ask customers to please be aware of those requests from the postal service just to aid our carriers in delivering the mail safely. We want them to be able to return home to their families the way that they came to work,” Wright said.
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