Trump just ordered two new holidays to be added to the calendar - who's off work

 President Donald Trump is extending the Christmas holiday, ordering two more days for government offices to be closed.

The Republican leader signed an executive order Thursday, closing all executive departments and agencies on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 26 — the day before and after Christmas. Only Christmas, Dec. 25, is considered a federal holiday with offices closed.

If you’re planning last-minute Christmas shopping on the days off, you may want to think again. Trump's executive order doesn’t apply to everyone, so you’ll want to make sure with your place of employment whether or not you need to show up to work. Meanwhile, one US state is mailing out 100,000 checks in a $22 million giveaway - see if you're in luck.

Are Christmas Eve and December 26 federal holidays?

Just because Trump ordered the government to close its offices this year doesn’t mean they are federal holidays.

The executive order only excused employees from their duty on Dec. 24 and 26, 2025. Next year, offices will be open again.

Federal holidays for 2026 are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Will mail be delivered on Christmas Eve and December 26?

On Christmas Eve, mail will be delivered, and local post offices will be open, but check with your nearest location for hours. Mail will be picked up by the scheduled collection times on the USPS blue boxes.

On Christmas Day, Post Office locations will be closed. Mail will not be picked up from the blue collection boxes, and regular mail will not be delivered.

FedEx will have modified service on Christmas Eve, and the offices will have modified hours. On Christmas Day, FedEx will not be operating and offices will be closed.

There’s no UPS Ground service pickup on Christmas Eve, but UPS delivery for all services is still available, and UPS Store locations will be open.

On Christmas Day, there will be no UPS pickup or delivery service. The UPS Store locations may be closed, so you should check with your local store for specific hours of operation.

All carriers will continue to have normal operation on Dec. 26.

Will stores be open on Christmas Eve and December 26?

Walmart will close early on Christmas Eve, and then it will be closed all day on Christmas Day. Check with your local Walmart for hours, though GoBankingRates says early closing times are usually 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Target will be from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve. Then it will be closed Christmas Day. Guests can still shop Target 24/7 on Target.com and the Target app for Drive Up or Order Pickup at the store or delivery after the holiday.

Costco is closed on Christmas Day. The wholesaler will have limited hours on Christmas Eve, but members should check with their local stores.