Guide to Restaurants and Stores Open on Christmas Day 2014

As a federally recognized holiday, Christmas Day is commonly celebrated with family and honored with a day — usually a few days — off from the daily grind. Most employers grant employees a vacation for Christmas Day and New Year's Day, along with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve for some, but what's protocol for the service industry? While we're all off work, it's helpful to know the services and stores open on Christmas Day 2014.

To help you plan your grocery-shopping and mail-delivery needs, along with where to go for a quick bite during the holidays, GOBankingRates created a guide of holiday operating hours for popular restaurants, retailers, supermarkets and post offices during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. Some information is based on 2013 holiday store hours, while other retailers and restaurants have confirmed 2014 business hours.

Know where to go in a pinch and spare yourself a disappointing drive to a retailer or grocer that might be closed as last-minute shopping and meal preparations are taking place.

Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2014

Christmas Eve can be a questionable holiday when it comes to store and restaurant hours. While it isn't a holiday itself, it's often given as a courtesy to employees to help them prepare for the following day's celebration. When it comes to restaurants, however, you're in luck as most franchise restaurants are open on Christmas Eve. That said, here is a list of restaurants open on Christmas Day 2014 (based on 2011 and 2012 Christmas Day hours). Open hours for these eateries vary by location, so call your nearest location before making the trip.

• Baskin-Robbins
• Burger King
• CVS
• Dunkin' Donuts
• IHOP
• Jack in the Box
• McDonald's
• Panda Express
  
• Pizza Hut
• Sonic Drive-In
• Starbucks Coffee
• Subway
• Taco Bell
• Waffle House
• Walgreens

Denny's is the one restaurant we found that has confirmed 24/7 service for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2014.

Related: Top 12 Stores With the Best Return Policies for 2014

Albertsons Among Grocery Stores Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

It can be stressful to prepare for the holidays, especially if you're the host of a large family gathering. Beyond gifts, you'll likely have to provide a meal for your guests or might be asked to bring something to your relative's home.

Based on 2013 grocery store data, you can expect these major supermarkets to be open on Christmas Eve. It is wise, however, to call your local store to confirm Christmas Eve hours in your area:

• Albertsons: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• CVS: Open until 10 p.m.
• Kroger: Open until 6 p.m.
• Publix: Open until 7 p.m.
• Rite Aid: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Walgreens: Open until Midnight.
• Whole Foods: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Trader Joe's confirmed that grocery stores will be open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve 2014. When it comes to Christmas Day grocery store hours, the following grocers are expected to be open for limited hours based on 2013 data:

• Albertsons: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• CVS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fresh & Easy: 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Rite Aid: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walgreens: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Additionally, GOBankingRates reached out to a local, Los Angeles representative for CVS holiday hours as well as Walgreens, who both confirmed 24-our locations will remain open on Christmas Eve and day. Non-24 hour CVS holiday hours will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas day, while non-24 hour Walgreens holiday hours will follow traditional store hours. 24-hour Rite Aid locations are also expected to maintain normal operating hours. Even so, it's recommended you check with your nearby store to confirm these hours will be recognized locally.

Are Post Offices and Retail Stores Open on Christmas Eve?

Based on 2013 holiday store hours, expect these retail stores to be open on Christmas Eve, albeit for abbreviated hours.

The below holiday store hours reflect 2013 Christmas Eve findings:

• 7-Eleven: Open 24 hours
• Apple Stores: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bed, Bath & Beyond: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dollar General: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Gap: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• IKEA: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kmart: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Marshalls: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Meijer: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Michaels: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Nordstrom: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Old Navy: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Staples: Open until 7 p.m.
• TJX: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Holiday store hours for the following were confirmed for Christmas Eve 2014:

• Academy Sports + Outdoors: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Barnes & Noble: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Best Buy: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• BJ's Wholesale: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Costco: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Dick's Sporting Goods: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• GameStop: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Hobby Lobby: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• JCPenney: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Kohl's: 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Macy's: Open until 6 p.m.
• Office Depot/Max: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sears: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Target: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Toys"R"Us: 12 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Retail Stores Closed on Christmas Day 2014

The following retailers disclosed their 2014 Christmas Day store hours and will be closed.

• Apple Store
• Barnes & Noble
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Best Buy
• Big Lots
• BJ's Wholesale
• Costco
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• Dollar General
• GameStop
• Gap
• Hobby Lobby
• IKEA
• JCPenney
• Kohl's
• Macy's
• Marshalls
• Old Navy
• Office Depot/Max
• Sears
• Staples
• Target
• Toys"R"Us
• Walmart

Those needing to send last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve will have to make it to the post office by 12 p.m., as most U.S. Post Office lobbies will close at this time. Regular mail delivery will still occur on Christmas Eve. Post office Christmas Eve hoursand delivery services also apply to New Year's Eve, however, post offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

This article was contributed by Christina Lavingia of GOBankingRates.com, a leading portal for personal finance news and features, offering visitors the latest information on everything from strategies on saving money to getting out of debt.