I will not shop in any establishment that makes its employees work on Thanksgiving

[scheming daemons]

I know there are bigger issues in the world..... But this is just one more way that corporations are devaluing their workers.

Let them have one fucking day off to be with their families.

Personally, I will boycott for the entire Christmas season any store that is open on thanksgiving.

I am looking at you, Macy's and Kmart.


On Edit :

The OP is specifically about retail workers, who are in most cases forced to work on the holiday with no extra pay. There was a time in this country where holidays were PAID time off... at the very minimum, they should be time off.

Emergency workers are not the same... in most cases their contact gives them bonus pay for working the holidays.

There is absolutely no good reason for Macy's or Kmart to be open on Thanksgiving. And if enough of us refuse to patronize them on that holiday, maybe they wont open on Thanksgiving anymore.

[Scuba]

1. Many employers pay 1.5X or double time. Health care workers, cops, firemen and many others ....

... work every holiday. So what's the big deal?

[scheming daemons]

3. Retail stores are different than emergency workers

Consumerism can take a day off.

[Travis_0004]

6. Cops and fireman know it comes with the job

As a society we need cops a firefighters to work. Society will not collapse if Macys closes for a day. I dont think its too much to ask to close one day a year to let people be with their family. I wont buycott those companies all season but I will not buy anything on Thanksgiving.

[Daemonaquila]

14. Well, hey - let's just not have ANY holidays, ever, for anybody!

Yes, there are vital services that can't be completely unstaffed. In some cases they try to be fair in who has to work that day, and prioritize giving the work to those who want it. But you seriously want to equate that to low-wage retail and food workers who rarely get a say in whether they want to work or take the holiday? Fire calls and selling cheap TVs - that's all the same thing, huh? ICU nursing and slapping grilled frankenmeat on a bun - equally important for all those people to be on the job, right?

If you're going to be intellectually honest about this argument, then call for all holidays to be abolished. Get rid of them! Everyone should work every day! There should never be an organized day off for the vast majority of people to spend with friends and family. I'm sure that'll go over really well with most of the country...

There's one small problem. People like having that time off, whether they're cops, hospice nurses, grocery store baggers, lawyers, web designers, retail workers, etc. It's an expectation in a somewhat civilized society. People who have a vocation in vital service areas know what they're getting into, and they still chose to do it because they know the importance, and sometimes they burn out because they can't keep giving year after year until they're worn to a nub. Lower class/income workers in low level jobs aren't in any kind work that requires sacrifice, and it should not be asked of them just because they can be bullied into it for the sake of those with higher incomes. That's predatory, capitalist bull at its worst.

[diabeticman]

27. Not retailers. A lot of retailers now at days treat holidays like any other day of the week. There

is a huge difference between needed personal like fire fighters and medical persons however often these people will work shorten hours to give others time to be with family.


My wife who does Home Health Aid will work to make sure her clients get fed and other needed things BUT there is a huge difference between those type of jobs and a store owner trying to get as much money as his greedy hands on.

[riderinthestorm]

65. Are you sure retailers pay overtime anymore?

Now they only pay you overtime if you go over 40 hours regardless of whether it includes a holiday or not.

And they make sure you NEVER go over 40 hours.



I've got teenagers and their friends all report that they won't get any overtime pay for working on Thanksgiving - at Target, the local chain movie theater, McDonalds etc....

If there's any place that still does it, that's great but I think the trend is away from OT.

[Scuba]

68. Guy in HomeDepot told me he'll get double time on Thanksgiving, as does my daughter (retail big box)

[Agschmid]

71. Yes they do.

In Mass we have several paid holidays, several time and a half holidays, and every Sunday is time and a half.

Not a bad deal here in Mass... But it is a blue state.

[bettyellen]

94. that is a state law thing, more than a corp thing. red states fucked themsleves.

[brooklynite]

2. .....and not everyone has families to be with.

[scheming daemons]

5. Friends too

.

[Daemonaquila]

9. So everyone should suffer?

That's such a silly argument. Of course a few workers will be ok with working retail that day with higher pay. However, most of the companies that do this do not give their staff the option of saying no. We're creating a class divide - if you're middle class or above, you get family, friends, play, and shopping, but if you're poor you'll be working your butt off that day serving the folks with more money. That's just not ok.

[HappyMe]

11. Anytime I have worked a holiday,

they had a sign up sheet up about a month or so before hand. Every line had a name on it.

[Daemonaquila]

17. Hooray for YOUR employer(s).

That isn't the case for everyone by a long shot. It might work at a restaurant or even a grocery store, but it sure doesn't work that way at large retailers, much less at whole malls worth of retailers, which is where we're headed next.

I've had some jobs where I've been asked to work holidays. But I've seen as many dick moves by employers about this as I've seen reasonable policies. The worst of them was one of my bosses, when I was in management and had given a month's notice. I intended my last day to be our last working day (Thursday) before Christmas, which fell on a Saturday. For a whole year, the calendar had been set to give people Friday off (Christmas Eve, makes sense, virtually all companies did it that way). My boss decided he wanted me for one more day - busy season at year end, would rather pay my salary for that week as all working days rather than part holiday pay to get his "best money's worth" - so less than 2 weeks before Christmas he told the whole company that he was changing the calendar and everyone would have Monday off instead of Friday. There went 12 people's holiday plans, some of whom were traveling to family gatherings hundreds of miles away.

So, you can argue about how lucky you've been, but don't generalize your experience to the hundreds of thousands of retail workers who are going to get shafted this year, and even worse in years to come.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

56. That's not how it works now.

We were told Thanksgiving was mandatory 10 days in advance. Glad I'm not in retail anymore.

[snooper2]

4. I used to always try to get holiday shifts when I was young...

McDonalds, White Castle, Semco Plastic Factory...

Bonus money baby!

[bhikkhu]

7. In principle yes, but many younger people love to work on the holidays

for the 2X pay. Often its overtime pay, on top of holiday pay. I usually wind up shopping for something or other on thanksgiving and have had a few conversations with people working - usually its about how great it is to make the extra money and not have to cook and clean.

[HappyMe]

8. I worked at an upscale Italian deli/restaurant.

The night before Thanksgiving we were there til 11:30pm assembling the special orders. I was back there Thanksgiving morning and worked until 2pm. My sons were little and I would rather have been home, but I got time and a half after 4pm the night before and on Thanksgiving. We needed the money.

[Tikki]

10. If I do 'have to' shop on a Holiday, I always THANK THEM for making my day easier..

They usually tell me it's over-time pay and a shorter shift so they do get time with the family.


Tikki

[kydo]

12. Makes no difference this year to me as I won't be

Doing much holiday type shopping at all. With another shutdown looming, we can't afford to spend money over the holidays. Last shut down we had limited income. Can't afford that so we are saving now.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

13. Lol. I will be shopping at Macy's a lot this year

Maybe we'll cancel each other out.

[trumad]

15. I'll be gifting Turkeys and corn to my local Indian tribe.

[Ikonoklast]

24. Do the Indians now take food in trade for chips at the casinos?

[RedCappedBandit]

16. Tons of people have to work on holidays.

Pay them double time, and split the shifts evenly.

[csziggy]

18. I'm thinking donations in the name of the gift receivers

My husband and I only have to buy one Christmas present each - the family draws names. Last year he drew his right wing Christian fundamentalist nutjob brother in law - who had drawn him the year before and gave my husband two Bill O'Reilly books

I suggested that my husband give him Rachel Maddow's Drift and Joan Walsh's What's the Matter with White People or Chris Hayes' Twilight of the Elites. If he doesn't go for that and makes me buy the gift (as usual) I'll make a donation to some cause BIL would HATE - like to the campaign of Gwen Graham who is running against Steve Southerland (FL-Tea Party) in our district!

I don't remember who I drew - I have to find out. But I am tempted to donate to a charity such as Heifer.org rather than buy a present. It depends - if it's a family member who needs something practical, I will get them a gift certificate.

[Historic NY]

19. Problem is many employee's like the extra money...

and a business being open can take advantage of that by staying open... Many places here do close earlier. Face it lots of people can't boil water and places stay open to fed them. I always didn't mind working it got me out of the house on the holiday to where it was quieter.

[leftyohiolib]

20. dont use your cell phone, cable tv or dsl all those places force workers to work on thankgiving

[11 Bravo]

21. Also don't turn any faucet or electrical appliance.

Your local water authority and power company have people at work 24/7/365.

[leftyohiolib]

22. good point

[daleanime]

26. ........

[scheming daemons]

80. most retail workers dont get bonus pay on thanksgiving

There is a big difference between emergency workers who get double time and retail workers who are forced to work when there's no reason to.

[leftyohiolib]

88. i wasnt talking about emergency workers - cell phone companies cable tv arent emergency workers

[Chan790]

23. I used to beg those shifts at the 'bux.

They pay 1.5x and we made bank on tips. Comparatively, I don't like my family and I'm a vegetarian...so would I rather spend my day dealing with assholes and the stink of baked carrion or getting paid $14/hr. to serve pleasant customers and make $200 in tips for a 6 hour shift?

We'd fight for those shifts. One day made all my Christmas money and enough to buy me a new toy.

[trumad]

25. LOL---Op kind of blew up on you.

[kcr]

28. No, it didn't

It's the internet . There are plenty of people with stupid opinions. But more than enough agree that there is no reason for retail to be open on Thanksgiving.

[trumad]

29. Well I guess every opinion given in this Op was teh stupid.

[kcr]

32. No, just the ones that compared the necessity of Macy's staying open

to fire fighters, utilities, etc. I'm sorry, but that's stupid.

[trumad]

35. or the necessity of people needing to work

For you overtime. The Op got his ass kicked.

[kcr]

38. So, people needing money is a good excuse to exploit them?

So, the solution to an eroded middle class with low wages isn't to fight for a livable wage? It's to take away what little benefits they have left? It's okay, they need the money? So let the corporations walk all over them, whatever?

The unions, so badly needed more than ever.

[DLevine]

39. Thank you. nt

[trumad]

40. Oh fuck that exploiting shit.

Jesus fucking Christ this place.

[grantcart]

46. I would hate to have to diagram that sentence.

[HappyMe]

41. Had I felt exploited or mistreated in any way,

at any of my jobs I would quit.

If I am getting paid, I am not being exploited. If I sign up to work on a holiday, I am not being exploited.

[kcr]

42. Well, that would be perfectly fine and dandy

If it were HappyMe land. And jobs were set up just for HappyMe. And only affected HappyMe in the way that HappyMe liked. Good for you, HappyMe. I'm glad it worked out for you.

[HappyMe]

43. Why the belittling attitude?

Because my experiences don't jibe with your rhetoric, you get snarky? It does nothing for your argument.

[kcr]

44. Your point may not be as snarky, but it's no less belittling.

Corporations eroding the rights of workers is no small matter. Just because it didn't concern you or affect you negatively in any way doesn't mean it isn't bad.

[HappyMe]

49. I never said that my experiences reflect

everybody else's. I can't speak to any body's experience but my own. I already said that if I felt exploited, I would quit.
I'm sorry if you find positive work stories belittling. People in crappy situations should step up and do something about it then.

[kcr]

51. Well, they are.

Countering with your positive stories and saying you weren't exploited, and saying people should just quit then, seems to me to read as a defense of the corporations actions.

[HappyMe]

52. Well, I find your snide, shut the fuck up

attitude pretty crappy.

I am entitled to post my opinions and experiences here.

[kcr]

55. I'm sorry you find my attitude crappy

I think you're reading more than is there, frankly. Post your opinions by all means. It's up to you whether you learn anything from the responses.

[HappyMe]

60. What exactly am I supposed to learn

from you, oh wise one?

[kcr]

66. That not everyone has your exact experience

I would think that would be obvious. I mean, not all jobs are the same. You know, Im sorry for the snark. Truly, I am. I took thinking something was obvious meant that you would know that, and therefore you meant to support exploitation. But maybe you really think all jobs are the same? So, I'm sorry. And, no, not all jobs are the same. Many retail jobs don't give you a choice.

[HappyMe]

70. Good grief!

Of course not all jobs are the same. Some people don't have a choice, some do. I was fortunate enough to have a choice. I'm not going to blather on about something I haven't had any experience with. Those people can speak for themselves here. I'm not about to make shit up just to 'fit in'.

No hard feelings.

[penultimate]

99. Some do and some don't.

You just want to assume they all don't and 'punish' all of them, even if it means you go against the wants/desires of employees at stores that make it optional. I'd be more willing to accept your viewpoint if you had a list of stores that you know are forcing workers to work on the holiday.

[kcr]

103. I just want to assume?

Well, in the same way I assume the sky is blue. Because corporations making their workers work the holiday is just sooo unbelievealbe, right? You need proof? Yeah, well, I'm sorry. But I'm not going to bend over backwards for an ant-labor poster on what is supposed to be a progressive, liberal board. If you don't believe it, go look for yourself.

Anti-labor poster? You bet. Anyone who thinks it's "punishing" workers by standing up for their rights is far gone drinking the anti-labor kool-aid it isn't funny. So holidays are a benny that should only be afforded to the rich, now? When they come for the vacations next, are you going to make the same argument? Why punish the workers who just want to work harder? Your argument is nonsense.

[awoke_in_2003]

54. There are two bad premises in this thread...

The first is all people working on t day are being forced and exploited. The second is that all who work on t day are doing so voluntarily. Not all have a choice.

[HappyMe]

59. I was never forced to work a holiday.

There were sign up sheets, employees kind of hashed it out amongst themselves who needed what off. People being adults! What a concept!

I'm sure not everyone had a choice. I can imagine some were angry, I can also imagine some didn't care much.

[kcr]

72. No one is saying that all people are being forced.

In fact, that will often be the defense, the fact that some workers are okay with it and will work it willingly.

[awoke_in_2003]

91. More than one person in this thread....

have said the workers are being exploited, I am saying they are not if they volunteered.

[kcr]

92. And you're wrong

It doesn't make it okay to take advantage of workers because some volunteer for it. Willingly allowing oneself to be exploited does not make it okay. That's how it gets excused and supported. You can see it in this thread alone. Everyone who enjoys a paid vacation should be worried about this. There will come a day when few of us will have that.

[penultimate]

100. Many people are like me and don't view it as being exploited because we don't care

about holidays. I don't work retail, but I work in a field that has 24/7/365 requirements (not emergency services or anything like that) I love working holidays because it tends to be slower AND I get paid more. I'd be pretty annoyed if a group of people decided to start a boycott/protest/whatever because they wanted me to take a day off. If you want to stand up for people that you know are being exploited and they want your help, then good on you, but don't mess with my stuff or other people who may not want you to. It sounds to me like you're saying I'm too stupid to realize I'm being 'exploited'

[kcr]

104. You don't work retail

So this isn't about you, is it? No, not all jobs everywhere can be shut down for the holidays. But holidays are a paid benefit for many workers. Benefits are a labor issue. They used to be paid, anyway. But then they just got hte itme off. Well, now they aren't even going to get that much. IT isn't right.

[penultimate]

105. But even if I worked retail I would feel the same way....

I worked retail back in the day and I felt the same way. I always volunteered to work any extra days for the same reasons I listed above. It wasn't forced upon anyone. It was in a mall that closed early on most holidays, which I actually thought sucked for me... Which was great for us, right? Of course there are other places that don't do that, I'd have no issues if you backed up those workers 100%... But if you came to me now or then and said you didn't think I should be working, don't you think I'd have a right to be wtf?

I don't think our views are all that different, I just don't think using a nuke (even if it is just in language) is appropriate because it ends up alienated people who may truly want to work those days, and it makes us/them feel like you think you know what's better for us than we do. I don't think anyone should be forced to work holidays, I'm with you 100% on that. However, I think instead of trying to work solely toward your personal preference of no retail workers working, we should work toward making it so that all holiday work must be voluntary.

[kcr]

106. There are plenty of hours available to work

without forcing people to work a holiday. And people would have to be forced. To keep all the stores open and staffed, some would have to be forced. There's no way around that. Of all the hundreds of stores they're opening, needing the thousands of employees to staff it, there's no way they're all going to be volunteer. It isn't right. There was a time when holidays were considered a time for family. No, not everyone could have the time off, obviously. THe country can't completely shut down. But unions went a long way to giving us all things like weekends, 40 hour work weeks, vacations ,and time off with our family. We all benefited. Even retail workers. I appreciate the fact that many want extra hours. I sure did, too. That doesn't excuse this.

This is solely motivated by greed. It has to be fought at every turn. Because corporations fought labor when they gave us the benefits we enjoy. People died for them. And corporations have been fighting ever since to take them back. And they've been winning. They're winning on this and they will keep on taking. I can't tell you how it grieves me to see, on what is supposed to be a progressive board, people here supporting this. They won't stop with Thanksgiving. And it won't stop at retail workers. But we're all like frogs in the boiling pot. We won't notice till it's too late.

[kcr]

107. And you know what?

I wouldn't mind taking an extra job during the holiday season for some extra money. But I won't because I don't want to trade the time with my family. I don't want to work on Thanksgiving, and I would for certain, being the temp holiday employee, have to. And my kids are young. I don't want them having memories of thanksgiving with me absent. So, no extra holiday money for me. It's a shame other families won't have the choice.

[SoCalNative]

50. They will have plenty of overtime opportunities

from Black Friday through Christmas. No need to be greedy assholes and stay open on a day that has always been a traditional holiday/day off for MOST workers in the US, INCLUDING retail workers.

[kcr]

53. That's exactly what this is. Greed.

They've been pushing a little bit here and there over the years to see what they can get away with. Christmas is next. hAnd what the people who defend this don't realize is, this will eventually bleed over into all aspects of labor. Don't think for a minute this won't eventually affect all working people. We all benefited from the labor movement and we all suffer when it is weakened. When they realize they can bleed every last drop from the bottom rung and have decreed they aren't entitled to family time during the holidays? That will spread. It doesn't stop. This is just one symptom of the weakening of our middle class.

[scheming daemons]

77. not really... anyone is free to disagree with me

It is just a discussion.

I'm not after a rec record or anything.

[cynatnite]

30. You should probably ask each employee if they're being forced...

Go in on Thanksgiving and ask them.

I know I'm being facetious, but in reality a lot of businesses are open on holidays because customers will shop on those days.

My husband and I put in for holiday time off from our jobs ahead of time. Us and other workers would alternate holidays because we couldn't ask for both off. It was the fair thing to do.

Not only that, if one of us did work on a holiday we got either a bonus or time and a half. One holiday my husband brought home nearly $300 just for one day of work. It was definitely worth it for us.

I'm home now, but my husband continues to work. If he is asked to work on a holiday, he would likely do it if the compensation is worth it.

Call us greedy or whatever. We don't have the luxury to decline the extra money.

I would imagine many workers are in the same position. Corporations would be better off paying their workers livable wages.

[kcr]

37. Livable wages

"Corporations would be better off paying their workers livable wages." Well, yes. This. This is at the heart of why many of us have a problem with it. "People need the money" is not an excuse to exploit labor. If unions were stronger in this country we wouldn't be having this problem.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

58. Black Friday is mandatory.

And it's not extra money, at one time you received holiday pay and got the day off.



Lots of anti-worker bullshit in this thread. Retail employees are treated like shit.

[cynatnite]

73. Black Friday is not a holiday. n/t

[ForgoTheConsequence]

74. I didn't say it was.

But when "Black Friday" starts at 5pm on Thursday it interferes with the holiday. Try and keep up here, this isn't complicated stuff.

[cynatnite]

82. It's not black friday if the sale is on a Thursday...

There is a difference.

On Thanksgiving it would be called a "Thanksgiving Sale".

I keep up just fine, thank you very much.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

86. Uh huh.

Black Friday is an event and almost every media outlet and the stores themselves are still referring to it as such. I'll email them and let them know that Joe Message Board thinks it should be called a "Thanksgiving Sale" though.

[cynatnite]

87. Well, some do call it that on Thursdays regardless...

Either way, any sales on Thursdays I don't bother with anyway. I'm at home.

On Black Friday (actually Friday) I will go shopping.

I think it's rather childish for us to be arguing about what it's called. You said Black Friday and that's the day I was thinking and you were thinking of it differently.

I am sorry I offended you.

[scheming daemons]

81. back when unions werent neutered, holidays were PAID time off

How much we've forgotten.

[cynatnite]

83. Totally agree. Husband used to get paid 8 hours on those holidays. n/t

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

31. Add Target to the list

[sweetloukillbot]

33. I worked a drug store on Thanksgiving for several years

We were told we could choose between Thanksgiving or Christmas for a day off - that was their sacrifice for "fairness". With small children in my extended family I always chose to work Thanksgiving. And I resented every moment of it. Especially when the customers would say "I'ts a shame they make you work today."
I always wanted to say, "I wouldn't have to if you weren't here getting a 12-pack of Bud Light."

I've refused to shop on Thanksgiving ever since.

[joeglow3]

34. I have always loved shopping at Kmart on Thanksgiving.

[DLevine]

36. Good for you.

Some places will not give you time and a half for a holiday unless the work week is over 40 hours. What I've personally seen them do is give employees less hours the week of the holiday so that they don't go over 40 hours. If you refuse, you lose your job. I don't have family, so it wasn't a big problem for me, but I saw a lot of people get screwed over by stuff like this.

[Vashta Nerada]

62. Walmart does that.

[DLevine]

67. Not surprised.

I refuse to shop there, ever.

[xchrom]

45. idon't, i won't shop on the holidays.

i worked restaurants and retail most of my life.

i HATED it.

and i never made 2xs anything -- you were expected to work and that was that.

[DLevine]

47. Exactly.

I don't understand the corporation-love I'm feeling in this thread. I thought progressives stood up for worker's rights. Silly me.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

75. They love to talk about workers rights.

But they also want a big screen TV for 99 dollars so they're conflicted. Consumer culture doesn't have a party affiliation.

[NCTraveler]

48. Yes you will.

I give you credit because it is the thought that counts.

[BlueCaliDem]

57. I will, if only to support the workers who get double-time extra pay.

I wouldn't want to take those precious few chances away from American workers who could use the money.

My son works for a group home, and he'll get double pay when he works Thanksgiving Day. Besides, he'll be home before Thanksgiving dinner. So he gets to spend time with his family and make more money at the same time.

Why would I want to deny the American workers, like my son, this chance to make some extra cash for Christmas?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

64. Good luck.

Target and Best Buy aren't paying double time. When I worked Black Friday we would come in at 7 on Thanksgiving, that meant we got time and a half for 5 hours before making 8.50/hr again (ten hour shift).

A long long long time ago Thanksgiving was a day off with pay.


I blame the mindless, worthless, lemming consumers as much as I blame the corporations. Line up for 7 hours in the cold to buy some piece of shit Chinese made gadget for 50 dollars off. Good job America.

[Vashta Nerada]

61. I'm with you.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

63. Some work as volunteers.

[Hotler]

69. I will not shop any place that put out the Christmas stuff before Halloween. n/t

[FarPoint]

76. Well...you best not get sick...Many

Health Care workers are on duty.

[scheming daemons]

78. this is about shopping retail... not emergency workers

There's no good reason for retail stores to be open on Thanksgiving.

[scheming daemons]

79. thanksgiving should be a paid holiday...

I guess so many workers are used to being exploited, they accept being forced to work on a holiday ... in many cases, without extra pay.

[mother earth]

84. I'm with you! We have truly lost our way, time to value life...time to value humanity. nt

[kentuck]

85. What about people that shop on Thanksgiving?

Which is worse?

[scheming daemons]

90. that's my point...

Shoppers enable this behavior by making it profitable to be open on Thanksgiving..

..I am not going to be an enabler.

[adavid]

89. Always been ....

Chinese restaurants and movie theaters.

[Decaffeinated]

93. Good for you...

Some people choose to earn..

[scheming daemons]

97. 30 years ago, before Reaganism destroyed unions...

... people had Thanksgiving off and were still paid for the day.

[BlueToTheBone]

95. I always worked holidays because it was 2 1/2 times pay.

It made the day worthwhile.

[Kingofalldems]

96. How about if they are only open til 1 PM?

Giant Food and Safeway come to mind.

[Glassunion]

98. What about convenience and gas stations?

[Coyotl]

101. Because celebrating Native American genocide is of paramount concern to all Americans.

Another bogus holiday rewriting the American history of centuries of genocide. Fuck Thanksgiving and the Pilgrim Indian killers.

[NaturalHigh]

102. I understand the sentiment...

but as some people here have pointed out, a lot of people like to work Thanksgiving for the overtime. When I was younger and childless, I often traded so older guys could be with their families and I could make a few extra dollars.

[Ilsa]

108. I won't shop those days, and I'll do my best

to either boycott or make it clear to management that requiring employees to staff a store on that holiday is unnecessary.
Part of the fun of any holiday is knowing that everyone (except firemen, police, and hospitals, etc,) is with family or friends. Having the store open makes it feel like any other day.