First up: CVS and Walgreens. These places are basically the marines of retail. Most locations stay open regular hours, even on Christmas Day.
Need a last-minute gift card? A tube of wrapping paper that’s not holiday-themed? A gallon of milk and a peach Snapple for that one relative who refuses to drink anything else? They’ve got you. They also have medicine, which is crucial if your family holiday cough turns into a full-blown opera by noon.
Just don’t expect a friendly greeting from the cashier. They’re working Christmas—cut them some slack. Smile, thank them, and get out of their way.
The Grocery Gamblers: 7-Eleven and Your Local Bodega
Let’s be real: if you need fresh rosemary for the roast, you’re out of luck. But if you need a bag of chips, a liter of soda, and a questionable hot dog that’s been spinning since Tuesday? 7-Eleven is your sanctuary.
These places are a Christmas miracle. They run on a skeleton crew, but they’re open. It’s almost poetic. You’ll find other desperate souls in there—the guy buying beer for his in-laws, the mom frantically searching for a single onion. It’s a shared, slightly sad, but oddly beautiful experience.
Pro tip: bring cash. Sometimes their card machines are as festive as a broken snow globe.
Stores Open on Christmas Day 2026 List - National Day Review
