Stores Stay Open Late for After Christmas Sales, Close Early on Christmas Eve

Although stores may have a rush of Christmas Eve shoppers, will stores be open? That is a vital question this year, especially with the recession making things gloomier. According to some sources, including information here at the Dallas News, people may be looking for last minute Christmas sales. Problem is, many stores have either closed for good or are cutting Christmas Eve Hours, although they could well stay open later on December 26 (the day after Christmas), taking advantage of those looking for after Christmas sales bargains. Ironic? Perhaps. But the reality is that stores, including Wal-Mart, Target and even retailers that were open late last year may be closing early this year.

Store hours for Christmas Eve - Target, Wal-Mart Not Staying Open Late

If you waited till the last second on Christmas Eve, in hopes of swooping in and scoring a bargain, you might want to reconsider that stance. Many stores won't be open past 6 pm and some will close as early as 4 pm, including many locations of McDonalds (just in case you were planning to grab a fast food meal on Christmas Eve). After calling both the local (Indiana) and national Target centers, I was told that Target would be closing at 6 pm. I can remember years when they stayed open later, although not necessarily on Christmas Eve. You can find Target store locations, as well as Christmas Eve and after Christmas sales info here . Ironically, Target wil be open till 11 pm on December 26, perhaps hoping to make some much needed profit during after Christmas sales. And McDonalds?If you really need a fast food fix, better stop there before 3 pm.

Wal-Mart is also among the stores that no longer stays open 24 hours a day, even for Christmas Eve shoppers. I called a local store and was told by the manager there that some stores "may be staying open later" (but not the local Indiana location I called), yet when I checked the national website, the info indicated that all Wal-mart stores would close early on Christmas Eve. You can see that information at a Wal-Mart page (one focusing on holiday procrastinators) here, with a listing of store hours for Christmas Eve.

Bottom line? Wal-Mart closes at 6 pm on Christmas Eve, even for last minute shoppers.

So where can you find last minute gifts on Christmas Eve? Try CVS or Walgreens

Before you turn your nose up at the thought, I was surprised to find a diversity of items at both stores. As late as yesterday, a local CVS had plenty of Hannah Montana items in stock, a topic covered earlier here in this article. From stocking stuffers to Hannah Montana t-shirts and books, CVS had a ton of items. Don't overlook the cosmetics department for specially themed sets, including Beckham fragrances. You can find all sorts of gift certificates there, too. Of course, if you are need candy for people on special diets, a drugstore or pharmacy at CVS and Walgreens is an excellent bet.

Although I was told our Walgreens would be open through Christmas Eve (24 hours), you might want to check store hours here . Odds are, they will be open. And yes, if you are really stuck for a present, you can try Village Pantry and you might luck out, particularly for those who like oldies CDs or classic DVDs. Our Village Pantry had both items in stock, along with various Christmas characters which played holiday tunes or carols.

For after Christmas sales, many stores staying open late

Perhaps the recession doesn't bode well for last minute Christmas Eve shoppers but it could be a great time for finding after Christmas sales items. If Christmas sales are dismal enough, stores such as Target, Macys, Wal-Mart and others may slash prices even further for after Christmas sales, encouraging shoppers to spend a bit more on December 26th and afterwards. This may be the time when real bargains are found, although there may also be more crowds to fight. Some stores, including Target and Wal-mart will be open till at least 10 pm and perhaps later. Check websites (listed above) or call local stores for exact details. Even though shoppers may be happy with their finds, I find myself still wishing the economy wasn't so bleak and that finds weren't so plentiful. Even at bargain prices, many shoppers can't afford to swoop up the items they'd like.

Target is having a 2 Day Sale that begins the day after Christmas, according to info at their website and the stores I called locally .

If you want to find a place to eat breakfast before hitting after Christmas sales, consider stopping into an IHOP. Many will be open as early as 6 am on December 26th. Nothing like a great breakfast to build energy for those after Christmas sales! You can find locations and hours here and plan accordingly. If you are a Power Shopper, you could find stores open as late as 11 pm, including some Target locations. With luck, you can even find some bargains and still find time to squeeze in a showing of a Christmas movie at a local theater.

Sources

Personal experience, phone calls to local and national Wal-Mart, other stores

Shoppers Hit Dallas Stores for last-minute Gifts, Dece 24, Dallas News here

Walmart page here (http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/5532.aspx)