Did you guys know that stores aren't open today?

I don't get it.  If not everyone celebrates Christmas, why are all of the stores closed?  Wouldn't someone think, "Oh, maybe there's that one idiot out there who didn't grocery shop before the holiday so I'll leave my store open so she won't starve!"

It's just not something I'm comprehending here.  Movie theatres are open.  Chinese take-out places are open (thank goodness), and carry outs in the shady neighborhoods are open, but a regular grocery store is not?

Fortunately I've got some awesome co-workers who offered to make us dinner last night and pack extra food to get us through the holiday, but really, grocery shopping at my co-workers house?  Is that what I have to resort to?

I know how you're feeling. I went out about 10 years ago looking for something open (to spend my Christmas money) and found nothing but the occasional gas station. I believe companies have realized, and this is purely speculation, that opening on Christmas day is not worth the expense and they will end up saving more money by closing down for this 1 day. Perhaps they want to reward their employees by giving them a guaranteed day off (doubtful) or have found that in the past it is almost impossible to adequately staff the business during this day.

I'm sorry to hear about the stores not being open in your area.  I live in California and the local Ralph's grocery store is open on Christmas day.    I'm thinking that maybe our Ralph's decided to stay open because they couldn't afford not to be open.  Happy Holidays.

what I personally do not understand is why supermarkets aren't open but the movies are! honestly! like you said, not everyone celebrates Christmas. so they'll be able to go to the movies, but god forbid they need any food or groceries! seriously, wth? and my cousin, who DOES celebrate Christmas has to work today, at the movie theater.

well, that's just Shoprite, which is where my family shops for groceries, I'm not sure if places like A&P or Foodtown or other chains are open. of course convenience stores still are. I think they should atleast be open for a couple hours, honestly, would it kill them to come in for that little? I do understand mall stores being closed and whatnot, but I mean food is kind of a necessity (not that there aren't any other options, and I'm sure nobody will starve if they can't get to the grocery store ONE DAY)

I think nothing should be open on Christmas. It's really not that hard to buy food in advance.

Most governments regulate holiday openings.

That said, not everyone celebrates christmas, so I do not see why if a store is owned by someone who's religion differs that they should be closed for a holiday that they do not observe.

What ever happened to seperation of church and state.

Our coffee shop is opened today.  It was posted that if you wanted to work, you signed up for a shift.  I get paid regardless for today and tomorrow, so why would I want to work it?

Sorry, but the Safeway & Walmart stores as well as gas stations & movie theatres are open here (just shorter hours).

I've got to agree with Vicereine on this one... this isn't the first time stores have been closed for the holidays, why not stock up on food before hand?

I'm glad most stores are closed. I always feel bad for people who celebrate Christmas and have to work today.

Sorry your stores are closed cellulitedelight. Luckily many of the corner delis in NY are run by people who don't celebrate Christmas, so it's just another business day for them.

When you work seventeen hour shifts and have four hours to sleep between them, it's very hard to make it to a grocery store to stock up.  I don't want everyone to cater to my convenience, but I still think one store should be open.

Hospitals are open.  People need medical care, so we can't exactly close.  I think somewhere a store should be open, too.  What if someone needed medication but because the stores and pharmacy is closed they can't get it?  Instead they have to come to the hospital to get it, which costs either them more money, or the tax payers more money if they're welfare insurance than going to a pharmacy or getting an OTC drug.

And it's not even that they're closed today, they were all closed yesterday, too.  I sure as hell don't get holiday pay on Christmas Eve because it's not a holiday, it's the day before a holiday.  Why not open something?

Personally, I think that it is dangerous to be so dependent on stores that one or two days of not being able to shop is an inconvenience.  A few months ago, the hubby and I had a bit of a competition to see who could avoid spending money the longest.  With the exception of gas for the cars, he commutes, we went nearly a month!   We paid the bills and all that jazz, but the kids got to experience the taste of powdered milk and I learned how to ration those eggs!  I think that it is totally awesome that lots of stores shut down for Christmas!  Most Americans celebrate this day after some fashion, even if it is just a family together time day.  The more businesses that are closed, the happier the bulk of the working force will be.  It is totally possible to always keep a few days worth of supplies on hand at all times.  Much safer too!

Work my schedule and see how possible it is.

My biggest fear is when the stores open, tomorrow, I still won't be able to get to them until at least Monday.  So I'm going a week without getting to grocery shop.  I don't keep a bunch of boxed goodies in the cabinets.  We rely on fresh foods, so we're shopping several times a week.

Make Alex do it.

arrggg, my favorite indian place is closed....now i gotta find someplace else to feed me :(

Mmmmm....I wish I was having Indian instead of this spiked punch!

Now I want palak paneer!!!!!

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

Work my schedule and see how possible it is.

My biggest fear is when the stores open, tomorrow, I still won't be able to get to them until at least Monday.  So I'm going a week without getting to grocery shop.  I don't keep a bunch of boxed goodies in the cabinets.  We rely on fresh foods, so we're shopping several times a week.

I understand you work long hours but 1) why can't hubby do some shopping for food 2) there are no 24 hour stores you can pick a few things up from after work.

When I've got four hours to sleep and shower before being at work, grocery shopping is the last thing on my mind.  I, instead, save the grocery shopping for when I'm off, which is Christmas Eve night.

And stores should be **** open.

but they are not in a lot of cases (btw we have found eckerd's pharmacy national chain is open on holidays). Next year plan ahead. But I am still wondering why hubby couldn't get some food?

BTW were you off the whole day or just the evening? Most places around this area closed around 6pm on the eve.

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

Work my schedule and see how possible it is.

My biggest fear is when the stores open, tomorrow, I still won't be able to get to them until at least Monday.  So I'm going a week without getting to grocery shop.  I don't keep a bunch of boxed goodies in the cabinets.  We rely on fresh foods, so we're shopping several times a week.

Boxed goodies?  Do people on this site really eat boxed goodies anyway? 

I was thinking of things like grains, beans (canned or dried), squashes, potatoes, frozen veggies, etc.  There are many, many foods that last more than a couple of days after purchasing them.  Lots of them cook in a crock pot while you're at work.  

It doesn't take much of an emergency in my neck of the woods to make grocery shopping impossible.  So many things can happen, that people really shouldn't be totally dependent on multi-week shopping.  People should realize ahead of time that Christmas will surely shut down a store or two.

Unless a person works 24/7 there is some point to "stock up". 

Because if the stores are open that means that somebody has to work to keep them running! One of our local grocery stores  had an advertising campaign to say that it was open today, but I hope that nobody went shopping! Is it so hard to stay out of the stores for one day of the year? Walgreens is also open as usual - which I understand because if you get sick on Christmas Eve or Christmas day you need medicine!