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Squeeze out a longer vacation: Christmas/New Year and vacation days

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Squeeze out a longer vacation: Christmas/New Year and vacation days

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Old Apr 22nd, 2004, 08:12 PM
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Squeeze out a longer vacation: Christmas/New Year and vacation days

For many people, the timing of the Christmas and New Year holidays this year means that they may be able to squeeze a longer trip out during that time period than would ordinarily be the case.

If you work for a company that gives you December 25 off, but which moves that day off to the first weekday if Dec. 25 occurs on a weekend, then you will get an extra weekday off for that. Similarly for Jan. 1. For people in Canada, like me, Dec. 26 is also a paid holiday and that would also move to the next weekday. (Also, at my company, 1/2 of Dec. 24 and 1/2 of Dec. 31 are also paid holidays.)

In addition, if you are willing to fly on December 25, you will often get cheaper rates than you would if you flew on Dec. 22 or 23 or something like that.

So, leave for Europe on Dec. 25, fly back on Jan 3 (or whatever), and you might only need 3 or 4 vacation days for a 9-day trip.

I know this won't work for many employment situations or many family situations, but I thought I would mention it.

Nonetheless I am trying to restrain myself from buying any more tickets or thinking too much about it until I finish my summer European trip.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 05:07 AM
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And for those of us who work for banks, the Federal Reserve in their infinite wisdom has decided to cancel Christmas this year. We get nothing off since Christmas falls on a Saturday.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 05:29 AM
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Since Christmas and New Yer's Day fall on the same day of the week, does this mean you're missing out on New year's Day, too?
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 05:53 AM
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Interesting. NYSE is declaring Dec. 24 (Friday) to be a holiday, but NYE (Dec. 31) is a working day. So is Jan 3 (Monday).

See
http://www.nyse.com/p1020773188697.h...963613686.html
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 06:28 AM
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Well, I certainly hope you've already made your plane reservations before those cheap fares sell out.
 
Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 08:08 AM
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Singletail, I have found fares in the $650-700 USD range to various points in Europe ex-SEA or to LHR ex-YVR for my approximate time periods. Are you saying these are unlikely to be there in the summer or later? I thought there might be some fare sales.

Sorry to hear of those who miss out on paid holidays at the end of the year.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 09:21 AM
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Actually this years Christmas/New year's day both fall on a Saturday, which means two less paid days off for us Americans.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 09:29 AM
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Speak for yourself, cheriann. Many employers provide for a weekend holiday to be observed on the nearest weekday, or allow employees to take the holiday as a floating holiday.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 11:12 AM
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Yeah, and 4th of July is SUNDAY !!!
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 11:31 AM
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See that is what annoys me. July 4 is a Sunday and the Fed is closed (therefore banks are too) on the 5th. Christmas is a Saturday, and while most of the world including the stock market is closed on the 24th, banks will be open. Not sure about January 1, most likely we will not have a day off.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2004, 01:14 PM
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Of course, for those of us in healthcare that work in areas that are 24/7-the holidays are usually work days-and the week between Christmas and New Year (from Thanksgiving on really) are usually no vacation allowed days. But, this is a great idea for anyone who can take advantage of it.
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