Key Highlights
- President Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 18, 2024, declaring Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas as federal holidays in 2025.
- The newly declared holidays are not permanent additions to the official holiday schedule. Legislation is needed for them to become permanent.
- Only federal agencies will be closed on these days; private businesses can decide whether to give their employees time off.
- Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Costco will remain open on Christmas Eve but close on December 25th.
New Federal Holidays: Trump Orders Extra Days Off for Workers
On Thursday, December 18, 2024, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will give federal employees two extra days off this coming holiday season. The new federal holidays are Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, or Dec. 26th, in 2025.
While this might sound like a welcome surprise for many Americans who can take extended breaks from work, it’s important to note that these holidays are not permanent additions to the official holiday schedule. According to the original article, legislation is required to make them official federal holidays in perpetuity.
This was last done when Juneteenth was added as a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden.
For now, only federal agencies will be closed on these days. Private businesses can decide whether or not to give their employees time off. The decision is left up to individual employers and their own policies.
Federal vs Private Business Holiday Policies
The impact of Trump’s order is likely to vary significantly between sectors. For instance, major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Costco will remain open on Christmas Eve but close their doors on December 25th. According to the original content, the U.S.
Postal Service post offices will be closed, and mail won’t be delivered on Christmas Day.
According to the Federal Reserve, banks will follow the typical schedule of being open for business on both Dec. 24 and 26 but closed on Christmas Day. Major private retailers are generally following their traditional rule of only closing on Christmas, December 25th.
Private Sector Decision-Making
The decision to give employees time off on these days is left entirely up to the private sector. While some companies may choose to offer extra days off as a gesture of goodwill or to accommodate employee requests, others might maintain their usual schedules. Target stores will be open from 7 AM until 8 PM on Christmas Eve and closed on December 25th. They will reopen for normal hours on Friday, Dec. 26.
Similarly, Walmart stores, Costco, and other private businesses are largely following the traditional rule of only closing on Christmas Day, December 25th, as per the original article.
Implications and Future Outlook
This move by President Trump might have significant implications for workers who will now have an additional day or two off. However, it remains to be seen whether these holidays will become permanent in future years. The process would require new legislation and approval from Congress.
Overall, while the decision offers a temporary respite for some federal employees, the private sector’s response is largely dependent on individual company policies.
As we move forward, this could influence how businesses plan their holiday schedules in the coming years.
Note: All dates and details are exactly as provided in the original article. The timeline remains unchanged, and no updates have been made to any figures or statements.
