If you think fast food is just for hangovers, you’ve never been desperate for a hot meal on Christmas. Places like McDonald’s and Starbucks (yes, some locations!) open their doors, usually for a few hours. It’s the loneliest, coziest McDonald’s you’ll ever see. The fries taste extra salty, probably from the tears of the guy who forgot to buy batteries.
I once watched a family of four eat Filet-O-Fish sandwiches in a booth at 2 PM on Christmas Day. The dad was wearing a Santa hat, the kids were in their pajamas, and they were laughing. It wasn’t a Norman Rockwell painting. It was better. It was real. The cashier even drew a little snowman on the receipt.
The Movie Theater: A Different Kind of Magic
Okay, this isn’t a “shop,” but it’s a sacred space on Christmas Day. Go to a movie theater. Seriously. The parking lot is half empty, the popcorn is fresh, and everyone in the lobby has made a conscious decision to be there. You’re not escaping family; you’re joining a tribe of fellow escape artists.
Are Malls Open on Christmas Day?
I went to see a random action movie last Christmas, and the crowd was the best part. A couple whispered about how they “accidentally” left the turkey in the car. A teenager bought a huge soda just to have a cup to hold. For two hours, we were all strangers, bonded by the fact that we were not arguing about politics over dry turkey. That’s a Christmas miracle.
