Breaking: Christmas Eve And Dec. 26 Granted As Paid Days Off For Most Feds, Creating A Rare Three Day Holiday Stretch
Most federal employees just got an early gift. I have reviewed the new proclamation and agency guidance. Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 are now paid days off for most federal workers, on top of the existing Dec. 25 holiday. That creates a long, quiet stretch around Christmas. For lifestyles and hobbies, this changes the week in a big way.
What It Means Right Now
This is administrative leave, not a new permanent holiday. Presidents can grant paid time off around major holidays. Congress sets official federal holidays. Agencies will follow with instructions on coverage, leave coding, and pay rules for those who must work.
Essential and mission critical staff will still report. That includes national security, emergency operations, public safety, and other round the clock roles. Supervisors will set schedules to ensure coverage. If you work, you will be paid under existing holiday and premium pay policies.
For most others, offices will be dark on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26. Plan for out of office email, voicemail updates, and handoffs today. Expect lighter federal services for the stretch.
Update your plans now. Confirm medication pickups, passport or Social Security visits, and any federal appointments before the break.
What Stays Open, What Slows Down
Airports, security screening, and air traffic control remain staffed. Travel will move, but lines could lengthen. Federal courts set their own schedules. National parks often keep gates open, but visitor centers may reduce hours. Museums run by federal agencies may close on the added days. Local governments and private businesses will follow their own calendars.
Do not assume mail or parcel services change. Some operations are not tied to executive branch leave. Check your local post office and carriers for hours. The safest move is to ship early and pick up early.
If you need a federal document or an in person service, check the agency site today. Many portals remain online even if offices are closed. Payments and benefits that process automatically should continue on schedule, but live help will be limited.
Make The Most Of The Bonus Days
This long holiday window is perfect for simple, restorative hobbies. Think low pressure, high reward. Start with home projects you can finish in an afternoon. Build a small bookshelf. Patch a paint scuff. Organize your gear for the new year.
Cooking projects shine this week. Try a slow rise bread on Christmas Eve, then use the quiet morning for stock, jam, or a big batch of granola. If you have kids at home, set up a craft table. Paper snowflakes, salt dough ornaments, and watercolor gift tags keep hands busy and screens away.
- Dec. 24, prep and create. Bake, craft, wrap, and cue up music.
- Dec. 25, unplug and savor. Board games, a long walk, and a phone free photo hour.
- Dec. 26, adventure or reset. Day trip hike, museum visit, or a deep tidy.
Travel And Timing
If you are hitting the road, use the edges. Early morning or late evening departures often move faster. Pack a small comfort kit, snacks, charger, eye mask, and a compact game. If you are hosting, plan a simple, make ahead menu. A big pot of chili, a salad, and a sheet pan dessert ease the load and leave time to play.
For the hobbyist, this is prime time to level up. Set a mini goal you can finish in two sessions. Read 100 pages of a new book. Edit one photo set. Sew one pillow cover. Learn three chords on guitar. Small wins feel big during the holidays.
Expect crowded roads and busy terminals on the middle day. Give yourself extra time, and keep a backup plan ready.
If You Are Essential
Thank you for keeping the lights on. Protect your energy with micro rituals. Fifteen minutes with a warm drink and a good song can reset your mood. Pack high protein snacks and a small comfort item. A postcard from home, a silly sticker, a tiny ornament for your locker.
Bring the holiday to your shift if allowed. A slow cooker meal for the team, a short book swap, or a five minute gratitude round can lift the room. When you are off, make a pocket celebration. Light a candle, call a friend, and take a quiet walk. Your holiday counts, even if it lands at a different hour.
The Bottom Line
A rare long federal break is here. Most federal offices will close on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, with essential services still running. Use the quiet to rest, create, and connect. Plan ahead for travel and services, and thank the workers who keep things moving. The best gift this week is time, and it is yours to shape. 🎄
