US vs. Canada cultures in terms of Holidays

[disneychrista]

Wow only gas and restaurants open on holidays. Where are you that store open on Christmas Day?

Grocery stores and drug stores (CVS I know is) And of course gas stations. Most restaurants minus Fast Food are closed on Christmas.

Most small businesses are closed but just a Facebook post that a local market is open today and I believe also opened on Christmas last year

 

[leebee]

In my neck of the woods, public schools were closed on Wednesday, Thursday (the actual holiday), and Friday this week. I think it's mostly so that families can travel- usually to their relatives' homes- for the Thanksgiving holiday. Many employers give Friday as an "administrative" holiday so people have a very long weekend. It's nice to have the extra time, especially as many, many people have very few vacation days a year (five? ten? or they accrue vacation hours per pay period). Most of our grocery and convenience food stores will be open today until around 3pm. Gotta get that can of cranberry sauce that we forgot! For a while many stores were opening on Thanksgiving evening, to get a jump on Black Friday, but these days that seems to have stopped, and now stores advertise how they are closed so their employees can spend the holiday with their families.

Christmas madness has already started here in the stores, and I noticed driving home last night how many homes are already fully decorated for Christmas. To me, 'celebrating' Christmas so far in advance takes away from the special-ness of the holiday. We are in no way, shape, or form religious, but Christmas always holds a special place in my heart for family, friends, and love. Our rule has always been that we have Christmas eve and morning here at home, just our little family. Also, we rarely travel for Christmas day/dinner. It's our time together as a family.

 

[tvguy]

My only experience with Canadian Thanksgiving was in 2019. We were on a cruise and docked in Victoria and everything seemed to be open, restaurants stores, etc, but it IS a tourist destination. But I suspect they were only open because they had thousands of cruise ship passengers wandering around.

 

[NAB]

My only experience with Canadian Thanksgiving was in 2019. We were on a cruise and docked in Victoria and everything seemed to be open, restaurants stores, etc, but it IS a tourist destination. But I suspect they were only open because they had thousands of cruise ship passengers wandering around.

Yes tourist spots are open on holidays. The Toronto Eatons Centre opens it a big mall .