Should shops open on Christmas Day?

British trade union Usdaw thinks not. They represent shopworkers and are lobbying the government to restrict retail trade on Christmas Day.

They want big shops to be prevented by law from opening, and small ones to have the written consent of all those volunteering to work.

Big stores such as Sainsbury's and Woolworths in the UK will have several outlets open on Christmas Day.

Do you work on Christmas Day? Would you rather not? Would you shop on Christmas Day? Is this an unstoppable trend?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

Some of the contributors on this page seem to believe they have a divine right to shop 24/7 x 365. Can't find anything else to do on Christmas Day when the relatives get too much? Have you been brainwashed into a lifestyle of sleep/work/shop? The religious arguments, from either point of view, completely miss the point (the Christians corrupted the pagan midwinter feast as part of the conversion of this country). The day is a NATIONAL HOLIDAY when the majority of the population get the chance to have a break from the daily grind.
Jenni, England

I used to love the calmness with the sanctity of a day off from the rat race

Paul Midgley, UK

I used to love the calmness with the sanctity of a day off from the rat race where no-one is allowed to work apart from SMALL convenience stores being open and the chemist. People realised (albeit were naturally compelled to) their sense of "being". This doesn't happen anymore (in the cities that is). Sunday IS special as is Christmas New Year and Easter.
Paul Midgley, UK

Just for once, I agree with the T.U. If people can't do without shopping now and again they should be undergoing psychiatric evaluation, not going mad in shopping centres.
CF, Canada

Christmas is nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Christmas is the pagan festival of Yuletide, adopted by the Christian religion as a way of driving out paganism. I agree with John B, when the shops stock their Christmas lines as soon as the pumpkins are taken down and people spend two months preparing for one or two days yet are then expected to go straight back to work, I can't be bothered with that either.
Tanya Smithson, England

To a lot of people, Christmas day is just another day

John C., Warwick, England

To a lot of people, Christmas day is just another day. Why should the government force them to open or close their shops just to appease a few bigoted people? These people who want shops closed are the same people who do not know where to find the on/off switch on the TV and sit watching something they think is unfit for the TV! They do not have to shop, that is their privilege, as it is the privilege of shopkeepers to open if they wish!
John C., Warwick, England

What a great idea to open on Christmas Day. it would do me a great favour. This would stop people like my Brother coming around my house and stealing all the turkey! Keep them at WORK.
Steve Overal, England

Christmas has become more about greed and spending money, than about the true meaning of Christmas which is to give thanks to God and goodwill to all

Karen, UK

I think it's very very sad that all we can think of to do as a society today, when we have free time, is shop. Regardless of whether you are a Christian or not, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. If you don't believe in God, maybe you shouldn't be celebrating Christmas at all, and therefore you don't need to shop till you drop buying more presents and food than you will ever need. Christmas has become more about greed and spending money, than about the true meaning of Christmas which is to give thanks to God and goodwill to all. Would you celebrate your loved one's birthday without acknowledging them in any way and say they are irrelevant, but lets have a party anyway? I don't think so, but this is what a lot of people do every Christmas.
Karen, UK

Several years ago, my (English) wife and I went to Paris for Christmas. She was amazed that the tube was working and that we found a lovely (Italian) restaurant opened that day. I was amazed to find out that the tube, trains and buses do not operate on Christmas day in Britain.
Pascal Jacquemain, UK (French)

If there is a demand and staff can be found to work then why should someone dictate how and when any business undertakes its trade?
Martyn Fribbens, UK

Why should shops be any different to other places of work, many places have to be staffed over Christmas, such as Television broadcasters, electricity generators etc. The other point is that not everyone who lives in this country even celebrates Christmas, many have entirely different religions and why should they be prevented from shopping on a day that is no different to any other to them...?
Paul, UK

Some people may be in desperate need of cash and find that business opportunities are bright during Christmas

Joey, UK

I think shop owners should have the right to decide themselves. Some may be workaholics and may feel lonely being at home and prefer to work, why not let them do so? Some people may be in desperate need of cash and find that business opportunities are bright during Christmas. Why not?
Joey, UK

Please, let us have one day in the year when nothing happens on the roads or in the town centres, just people visiting relatives or friends, so that we can have some PEACE! We've lost each Sunday as a rest day. Most are extended rush hours now. If we can't sort out our shopping so that it's done by Christmas Day, god help us. We've managed to do so, so far. And, trust me, it's not for religious reasons, just the need for calm.
Randy, UK

I don't understand why so many people play so neatly into the hands of faceless big business. I am strongly in favour of free-market capitalism, yet am constantly amazed when the build-up to Christmas always seems to start sooner, the holiday itself is always under attack with pressure to get back to work immediately afterwards, and the public stampedes like so many sheep every year! Wake up people - there's more to life than stuffing all your hard-earned cash into the pockets of grey-suited directors.
John B, UK

Christmas is often a day of high stress. If you want to escape the family for five minutes there is nothing you can do as nothing is open. As a non-Christian I don't see why I should be prevented from working by a Christian holiday. As long as there is no pressure from employers to work I think it should be allowed.
A Duncan, UK

Count yourself lucky for once and force a smile onto your face next time you are in work - maybe then people won't be so rude to you

Kathy, UK/NZ

Re: Alan, UK
What is the matter with you? I have some sympathy for the fact that you are obviously overworked and under a lot of mental and physical pressure - but a breakdown! Putting your rants out to the general public and generally abusing the rest of humanity is not exactly a way of solving your mental health problems. If you weren't so self-absorbed perhaps you would have noticed that the discussion is not about introducing working on Christmas Day, it's about trying to stop it. Many people (and you are lucky enough not to be one of them) already have to work on Christmas Day, a fact you seem to not notice.
Count yourself lucky for once and force a smile onto your face next time you are in work - maybe then people won't be so rude to you.
Kathy, UK/NZ

I think only convenient stores should be opened on Christmas Day in order for groceries to be picked up, and even then just for a limited time so workers could have some time to their families on the 25th. Maybe between 9 and 11 am would be a good time as lunch is being prepared. Other shops shouldn't open on Christmas Day as this would encourage people who do not like their gifts to go and exchange them immediately, ruining the spirit of Christmas!
Rachel Olver, Canada

Not at all! Otherwise the roads and many spots of public interest will look almost deserted creating such a great day a charmless one.
A.R. Shams, Pakistan

Some people would welcome working on Christmas Day. I would if I could. I would rather work or go shopping etc than listen to the Queen's Speech and stuck with relatives I don't like!
Jacintx, Kent

No wonder the UK seems to be borderline third world as far as economic growth

Daryl Moistner, USA

No wonder the UK seems to be borderline third world as far as economic growth. Government restrictions on retail? Oh brother...here in Nevada many stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It translates to more jobs, more convenience, more retail....most importantly more freedom.
Daryl Moistner, USA

As I sit here (just in case some moron has forgotten his username/password for the 30th time this month) wondering how long I am going to have wait to get a taxi home (remember no public transport on Christmas Day!) My heart bleeds for people that might be asked to work on the same day I am working at the moment...
Bob , UK

364 days are quite enough
R.R.Charlwood, England

Business is business

Growler, Philippines

Why not? Business is business. If someone thinks they can make a buck, let 'em do it.
Growler, Philippines

The whole holiday has already become a commercial nonsense, so why shut the shops? They are the real church of Xmas after all . . .
Glenn Barker, Canada/UK

There are no words in the English language strong enough to express how strongly I am opposed to this idea

Alan, UK

I have just done nine hours work (my usual eight plus an extra hour to ensure that I sorted out other people's mistakes before I left) in a shopping mall (which, if you look at it in economic terms, is a 21st Century slave labour camp) serving the lazy, stupid, rude, dishonest and selfish people otherwise known as the British general public on behalf of the lazy, stupid, rude, dishonest and selfish people known as the directors of the company for which I work, people who approach working relationships in the same way that rapists approach sexual relationships. My workplace is understaffed, poorly equipped and unsafe, the staff are overworked, undertrained and totally demoralised and the result is that no-one is happy, not the customers who want to pay less for the goods, not the directors who would like to pay the staff less than the sub-£4 per hour they are currently paying (with no extra pay for working unsocial hours) and certainly not the staff who have to serve them both. Christmas Day will be my first day off in ten days and I need a break so that I can finally have the nervous breakdown which happened a month ago but I was too poor to have at the time it happened because my wages would have been docked for being ill even though my working conditions are the primary cause of my illness. And now people are discussing the possibility of Christmas Day shop opening? There are no words in the English language strong enough to express how strongly I am opposed to this idea. Merry Christmas to you all even though none of you said "Merry Christmas" to me when I served you.
Alan, UK

I have to agree with P Quaid: Staff are coerced into working these days as the voluntary nature of retail here over many years is volunteer to work or you will not get a promotion, a pay increase and often it is brought up in your annual appraisal as lack of commitment. Having worked in retail for fourteen years with a DIY leader I have seen it all. Sundays at premium rates turned into a normal days pay, Christmas meant one extra day off over a two week period, late finishes Xmas Eve to set up for the silly Boxing Day Sale and a rush by people not wanting to purchase much but looking for something to do. Like many western countries Britain today has lost the values of rest and relief. Yes some have to work exceptional hours to cover for emergencies and to maintain systems but I am sure they get some time off later, any days retail staff work are usually in addition to their normal working time. Come on, we all need a rest sometime.
Jay T, UK

Christmas has become increasingly more commercial, more hedonistic and more materialistic over time and that is a widely accepted fact among the vast majority of people. It's a boring stereotype; put up decorations a month or two in advance, eat far too much, go to a Christmas party and get totally pissed, open presents, get stuffed... You know, the usual. Quite frankly, the concept is lost on most people so why do we bother? Close the shops on Christmas day for God's sake!
Benjamin Mossop, UK

My local Spar has been working on Xmas for the last few years and the pub opens for a few hours - so what is all the fuss about. It is useful to be able to run out and get something you forgot and if employers want to pay triple time then fine. Not everybody in the UK follow Xmas, with 2m Muslims and countless eastern Orthodox and Jews, Xmas is no more than another day so if people want to work, what's the problem? Saying it's a religious holiday won't wash because 1% go to church and Xmas is just a pagan Roman celebration anyway. So no argument.
Mark Lisle, Germany/Uk

It is high time this country woke up and realised that not everyone is a Christian anymore

Jenny, UK

Surely, in our multi-cultural society, if shops have to stay shut on Christmas Day, then the same rule should apply for all the other religious festivals too! It is high time this country woke up and realised that not everyone is a Christian anymore! Why should people be inconvenienced in this way simply because they are of a different faith? I can guarantee that there would be an outcry if we did have holidays for every religious festival going! I am not religious, I take Christmas as a time to be with my family. I wouldn't go to the shops even if they were open, but that doesn't mean that other people should be denied the right!
Jenny, UK

If you are a single person, with no family, it can be a lonely time so why not brighten it up by working

Sue D, UK

Can't see any problem in it myself. I have worked many Christmas days in the Health Service. If you are a single person, with no family, it can be a lonely time so why not brighten it up by working. As long as no one is forced to do anything there should not be a problem. After all not all sectors of our multi-national community actually celebrate Christmas.
Sue D, UK

What a sad, pathetic society we have become. Spiritually dead and perpetually starved as we feel the need to consume one piece of garbage after another. Has anyone out there ever read The Wasteland by TS Eliot? Well that describes the state we're in now pretty well. And to think that we cannot even stop for one single tiny little day. What would even be the point of Christmas? Just another couple of days where people can worship the their new god, Money, and fill their greedy fat lives with more useless, unnecessary objects. I yearn for a day when we will all react against this madness and embrace some form of spirituality once again. I am feeling bloated and sick of all this consumerism.
Anna M, UK

Personally, I'd work a few hours on Christmas Day

Alexander A, UK

If staff at big shops are willing to take up shifts on Christmas Day (with bonuses), then I see nothing wrong with it. Really, why should 25-26 December be absolutely "dead"/ dull days, when everything is closed? Let's have someone else, apart from police, ambulance and other emergency services working. Personally, I'd work a few hours on Christmas Day...
Alexander A, UK

With the commercialisation of Sunday over the last few years, Christmas day stands alone as a day where the vast majority of people can spend quality time with their family. It's wonderful on Christmas day to go for a walk after the family dinner and see the town at rest. We all need to take a day to reflect on what's important in life. Surely the rat race can be put on hold for one day.
Martin Aird, England

Taking the religion out of Christmas was one thing. But asking people to work, and preventing them from enjoying the traditions of a Bond film, too much lager and a fight with the in-laws is unforgivable.
Allan, Canada

If you work in the I.T. industry every day is treated exactly the same as the next. We all work odd hours and days. I myself will be 'on call' for problems from Xmas Eve through until New Year's Day. The world will keep turning no matter what day it is. So why should other industries consider themselves different??
Bryn Cartwright, UK

I'm working in my shop in Oxford on Xmas day, and I really don't mind. After all there is little else to do and people will run out of essential goodies. Anyway, just what is the proportion of people who believe in God to those in England?
Frank, UK

People have 351 days of the year to go shopping

Jacquie Green, England

People have 351 days of the year to go shopping. If they cannot manage to complete their Christmas shopping in that time, tough. Christmas is for people to be together. I am not a religious person, but to some people this is a special time of year. Contrary to popular beliefs, people can be bullied into working on days such as these when they don't want to and as a result, the family suffers. One such Christmas was spoiled for my family because my sister was 'on call' for a major shop. The burglar alarm went off for no good reason and as a result, she and her boyfriend spent over an hour sorting it out and completely ruining our Christmas dinner.
Jacquie Green, England

The USA is probably a few years ahead of the UK in commercialising the Christmas Holidays. However diverse the country is, it is still a nation with its foundations in Christianity. There is no need for shops to open on Christmas Day. I would urge you all to fight this move, which behind the scenes is probably being fuelled by the large retailers. We in the US have seen the erosion of understanding of our important holidays. They have become nothing more than "Sale" days at the stores. Don't let the same happen in the UK. Families spent too little time together already. Don't destroy this quality time altogether. Families who are not Christian can use this as a "family day".
Charles Porter, USA

Having been both a union rep and a manager of staff I know that pressure is put on people to work overtime, weekend hours and holidays. If they don't get the volunteers, names come out of hats. There is no way of policing the employers to make sure people are truly volunteering. As for it being a diverse society these days, I am currently living in New York City and you can't get much more diverse than that BUT everywhere will be closed here Christmas Day (even the Jewish company I work for). Protect these holidays.
Fiona M, USA (British)

My first Saturday job was with Woolworths and at Christmas you were pressurised to work. It was always a case of if you don't then someone else will, with the undertone that you would be out of a job if you did not work, particularly on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. For some people Christmas Day is the only public holiday they get.
Sandra Geoghegan, England

I work for a software service company whose services support shops, banks, etc. The more the shops stay open, the more work that we have to do, now including full 24 hour shifts right through Christmas. I hope the greedy chairmen of Sainsbury's and Woolworths are forced to work 6am until 2pm on Christmas day and miss their children opening their presents. We only get one life. Mine seems to be spent at work and like many others I am totally fed up!
Mark, UK

According to part of the last change to the Sunday Trading Act, there are 2 days when shops cannot open, these being Easter Day and Christmas Day. If the likes of Sainsbury's open on one of these days then they should be prosecuted as they agreed to the terms of the change to the Sunday Trading Act so they were free to trade the other 363 (364) days of the year. Also it is really a pleasant change to be in continental Europe on a Sunday when nothing is open. It's like being in England 20 years ago!!
Dave, UK

Let's at least keep one day a year "special"!

Rob, England

It would be nice to keep at least one day a year "quiet" with the shops closed. There are arguments for and against, depending on religious beliefs, pay rates, etc., but I remember when Sundays and Bank Holidays were "special" - now they are just like any other day of the week. Let's at least keep one day a year "special"!
Rob, England

Given that London has no public transport on Christmas Day, I can only hope that this will be an expensive failure, which will put the big shops off trying it again. Granted, only a tiny minority want to attend religious services, but even my Jewish and Moslem colleagues are glad to have a a holiday! As it is, Hanukah and Eid coincide very closely with Christmas this year, so why can't we all just relax with our families - and be grateful to those who are staffing absolutely essential facilities.
Stephen du Toit, UK

Can we not have one day that is different in this hectic country. Shops are open long enough as it is, I for one will be as far away from shopping as possible all next week. What happened to a walk in the country or visiting friends and family?
John Fisher, UK

If the public wants more shopping time, then they should think about getting their Christmas shopping done earlier

Peer Quaide, UK

As an ex-retail manager for a huge department store in London, I know how hard the big-boys will try to force most of their staff to work additional days. I remember a few years ago when boxing day was a rest day, however thanks to the January sales now starting on the 26th, most of the British retail staff have just one day off for Christmas, and New Year is becoming the same. The myth is that staff can opt in, but in reality staff are penalised and coerced into working these days and it's not simply a matter of choice. With our retail outlets open now almost 364 days a year, some 24 hours a day and with internet shopping now widely available, I think the public have enough time to shop. If the public wants more shopping time, then they should think about getting their Christmas shopping done earlier!
Peer Quaide, UK

I grew up in inner-city Birmingham. On Christmas day the only shops open were the Asian corner shops who couldn't have cared less about opening hours or Christmas, which means nothing to them. It was a godsend. It was great to know that if you needed something, you could nip out to the local Asian corner shop and get it. Now I live in a totally different area and there are no shops open at all on Christmas Day and I don't like it.
B Maguire, UK

Christmas day is the only day where (almost) everyone has the day off. It will be a victory for Capitalism if shops start opening on Christmas day. Big companies just have to spoil everything.
James Robin, Wales

What is wrong with opening later in the evenings to make shopping more flexible. Opening on Christmas Day is pure greed and completely unnecessary. Shops do need to be more flexible, but I think the answer lies with week night opening hours being stretched to the evenings. Christmas Day is a day for families - let's keep one day a year for this.
Rachel, UK

This doesn't surprise me. As a McDonald's employee I am "privileged" that the restaurants are closed on Xmas Day
Iain Smith, UK

Most staff would jump at the chance to work on Christmas Day, because the pay is fantastic

Greer S, UK

As a former member of Sainsburys, I know that most staff would jump at the chance to work on Christmas Day, because the pay is fantastic. They would ask us if we wanted the overtime well in advance, so it wouldn't cause any heartache for those who wanted the day off. One thing that gets me though, is why would anyone want to shop on Xmas day? If you hadn't bought your turkey before then, it's a bit too late!
Greer S, UK

Is it really too much to ask that one day out of 365 should be a little different? Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it is surely a spiritually healthy thing for the whole country to have a quiet day, with no (or virtually no) shops open. Towns and cities, as well as people, need a break, even if it is only once a year.
Dan Jenkins, UK

I'm happy to see shops close on Xmas, but I think that changing the draconian English Sunday trading laws deserves higher priority. If supermarkets can remain open until 8pm in Scotland on Sunday, why not in England?
Miles, UK

I'd welcome days off during Ramadan, Yom Kippur etc too!

Sally, England

This has nothing to do with respecting non-Christians and everything to do with unbridled Capitalism. No one should have to work on Christmas day unless it's necessary. I'd welcome days off during Ramadan, Yom Kippur etc too!
Sally, England

No to shops opening on Christmas Day. Are the retail sector not allowed to have family life? Yes, many staff get generous overtime payments for this but what of salaried staff? In my personal experience of working in this sector even the lowliest departmental manager is not entitled to overtime payments and is expected to work all the hours God sends. My husband earned £18,000 pa with ASDA but the number of hours he was expected to work dropped his hourly rate to that below the man who tidied up the trolleys! This is were this sector is most exploitative and it's about time USDAW had the bottle to do something about it!
Ann Woodward, UK

I think opening large stores is a terrible idea. It seems that most people seem to worship in Supermarkets rather than in Church. What next, getting married in Supermarkets? Imagine walking down the frozen food aisle ... !
Helen, UK

If some workers want to work I see no reason why they should not be allowed to

Marc, UK

The important thing is that people are allowed the day off if they want to. Those who celebrate (in whatever way) Christmas should have the right not to work, this must be protected. On the other hand if some workers want to work I see no reason why they should not be allowed to.
Marc, UK

I (like millions of other people) do not celebrate Christmas but appreciate the time off. My wife, who works for a call-centre, is getting paid £35 an hour for working at Xmas - so surely personal choice is the key factor. We seem to have become obsessed with shopping. When one travels abroad many shops open only traditional hours and yet everyone still manages to eat!
Mark Reed, Scotland

Surely it is just an inconvenience for non-Christians to have all the shops close down for this period

Andy Spencer, England

If people are willing to work, with no pressure from their employers, then that is their choice. We live in a multi-cultural society in which not everybody celebrates Christmas. Surely it is just an inconvenience for non-Christians to have all the shops close down for this period.
Andy Spencer, England

Remember that no employment contract in Britain today explicitly states an obligation to work Christmas Day. And no boss would reasonably expect his/her full-time staff to volunteer themselves either. Therefore this initiative represents nothing less than a great opportunity for part-time (perhaps students) or hard up staff to earn a premium rate by choice. Furthermore, when you find yourself buying that forgotten cranberry sauce 15 minutes before serving, thank god there's not a law in place making you look stupid at lunch!
Jonathan Finbow, London, UK

The crux of the argument should be whether there is a need to lobby the government to legislate and ban all retails activities or not. Personally, I think it is a superfluous gesture, adding unnecessary restrictions on people's already shrinking freedom.
Katherine, UK

We live in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country where Christmas is not celebrated by everybody. If employees wish not to take off the Christmas Holidays then that is their decision. No one must be made to work over the Christmas holidays which must be supported by law. However we do need essential services, hospitals and nursing homes, running over the holidays. For the people working during this period, they should be well rewarded for their efforts. A Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year to everybody and especially to anybody working over the holiday.
Keith Hughes, Surrey, UK

Thank goodness for the invaluable corner shop which happens to open just when you need it to avert disaster

Steve Brereton, UK

Can anyone happily put their hand up and say that they've never forgotten to buy anything, never found to their horror that they're out of milk, bread, stuffing, apple sauce etc. at 10.30am on 25th December, just as the main dish has to be prepared? Thank goodness for the invaluable corner shop which happens to open for maybe three/four hours, just when you need it to avert disaster. Trade Unions have been responsible for a few too many things that are unforgivable. I'm often reminded of Peter Sellers in "I'm Alright Jack". Lighten up, please, and let some common sense in here.
Steve Brereton, UK

I'd rather stay at home, get drunk and be merry than waste my time shopping at Christmas

Tim, Brit, now in France

The big joke of all this is that even though the big shops currently open on Sundays and bank holidays they are not fit to be open those days. Many times I have trekked to my local supermarket on these days only to find the shelves depressingly bare of the basics like milk, bread etc. If they too open on Christmas Day they will force their supply chain to work also to supply them. Either that or the shelves will be bare. Anyway I'd rather stay at home, get drunk and be merry than waste my time shopping at Christmas. Sad....very sad.
Tim, Brit, now in France

I hope all the senior and executive management have also been prevented from taking holiday at this time

Rachel, UK

I moved out of retail because I was coming under pressure to work on Sundays - because I refused I was given the grotty tasks, refused promotion and generally made to feel unwelcome. No doubt my replacement either complied or was made to feel the same way. There is nothing that can guarantee that companies will not put pressure on their employees to work on what might be for them an important religious holiday. Despite the best of intentions these companies exert at least a subconscious pressure, even if companies state that there is no requirement to work or penalty for not working, this does not stop the employees from rightly or wrongly reading between the lines and coming to their own conclusions. Personally I am horrified that Sainsburys and Woolworths are opening - I hope all the senior and executive management have also been prevented from taking holiday at this time.
Rachel, UK

Christmas Day has no religious significance for many people, myself included. Despite my total antipathy towards religion I do believe in opportunities for families to be together, with nobody required to work. If people want to work I see no reason why they shouldn't. Personally I never buy anything meaningful on Christmas Day, simply because I usually have everything ready before then. If I get caught out (e.g. forgetting to buy batteries) I will buy those on the day, but otherwise avoid it.
Karl Peters, UK

It's a sure and rather depressing sign of our times that businesses would consider doing this

Richard Medlycott, UK

Are Sainsbury's that hard up that they have to open for an extra day with no consideration for staff? I know we live in a globalised flexible economy and we all have to submit at will to our employers. However it's a sure and rather depressing sign of our times that businesses would consider doing this.
Richard Medlycott, UK

I think Usdaw's idea is a sound one. If a corner shop owner or a chemist wants to open on Christmas Day then why not? They'll be providing a valuable service. But the big boys should be prevented from opening because despite what they say they will force some of their workers to be in, either by fear or by guilt.
Gary Grayson, UK

Some people have to work on Christmas Day (Police, medics etc), there is no need for shops to open too. My partner works in retail and has been coerced into working on "Bank Holidays". Don't let the greedy merchants hijack Christmas like they did with Sundays a few years ago. ENOUGH!
Mike, England

Why should their services be restricted because of someone else's religious festival?

Matt, Amsterdam, Netherlands (ex-UK)

A difficult one. On the one hand we must recognise that not everyone in this country is Anglican/ Christian. These people must view Christmas Day as little more than a winter holiday. Why should their services be restricted because of someone else's religious festival? On the other hand, competition dictates that if a few shops are open, the rest will be obliged to follow suit. As the majority of people working in this sector view Christmas as a religious festival of sorts, working on this day would be detrimental to their family and community. Personally I hate shopping on Christmas Day, as it taints a special day with the drudgery and normality of everyday life.
Matt, Amsterdam, Netherlands (ex-UK)

Why not? I used to work in a pub and had to work Christmas Day. So long as people volunteer to work, aren't coerced and get a decent rate (say triple time) then it should be up to them!
Dave Whyte, UK

In the past, religion stipulated what days you should work and those you should not. Religion though has lost its once strong influence on society. Competition is now what influences these businesses, and so it should be the Government that steps in to ensure that at least a few days a year everyone gets a break from work.
Robert Bailey, USA

We can all see how unhappy Bob Cratchit was when he had to go to work on Christmas Day - a day that traditionally should be spent with one's family and friends. Is there no end to the greed of companies like Sainsbury's, and Woolworths? Perhaps a visit from three spirits wouldn't do any harm!!! If the big companies have their way we'll eventually be expected to work Xmas Day and like Sunday it will become the norm. I will never shop on Xmas Day. Shame on them for ruining the day.
Tim Overal, England

Christmas day should be spent with the family

Graeme, Germany, ex-UK

Christmas day should be spent with the family, and not down the supermarket. It would be a sad day if the whole of the high street started to open up on 25th December - this doesn't even happen in the shopping Mecca of America. Why should we have shopworkers giving up their Christmas for a small minority of people who can't wait for 2 days before they can shop again?
Graeme, Germany, ex-UK

If you are in France on Christmas morning you are able to go to most local bakeries and buy bread just like any other day. Many shops are closed but for a couple of hours in the morning most necessities are available. I can't see the problem with shops opening as long as those working in them are quite happy with the situation.
Sam, UK

There is constant pressure from the secular majority in this country to drive out any religious observance. They claim to be more enlightened and tolerant but cannot tolerate anything getting in the way of commerce. What's so bad about everyone having a day off anyway?
Robert Kent, London, England

Christmas is a Christian festival, not a national event

Nathan Hamer, Wales

Christmas is a Christian festival, not a national event, and I see no reason why non-Christians should not be allowed to shop on December 25 if they so wish. And if pubs open Christmas Day, why on earth can't shops?
Nathan Hamer, Wales

There is absolutely no need for any retail shop to be open on Christmas Day. Where do we draw the line? All religions should recognise Christmas Day as a holiday.
Phil Hart, England

Wanting to shop on Christmas Day is just another example of people being selfish. As long as they don't want to work they see no problem with making others give up holidays. As someone who has worked in retail I have seen this level of selfishness on numerous occasions. Maybe if everyone from shopworkers to bank staff to accountants were told that they had to work seven days a week 365 days a year, you would see an end to such trends.
Martyn, England

I'd welcome shops opening on Christmas day provided they paid their staff properly. How often have you needed something and found there's nowhere to get it? Besides, not everyone celebrates Christmas, so we shouldn't force it on people who don't want to.
Mark, UK/ Netherlands

Everyone deserves a few days off

Will, UK

I, for one, will not be shopping at Woolworths or Sainsbury's again. Everyone deserves a few days off, and no matter what they say employees ARE pressured into working.
Will, UK

I have shopped on Christmas Day. I've been on call on Christmas Day. I've not worked, but I would have no objection to doing so. I, like many people, am not a Christian, so where's the problem?
Adam Atkinson, UK

It's going to happen. Spending money is what kids and young adults like doing for fun nowadays. The only problem is the staff - take out the human resource restrictions and every high-street store would open their doors on Christmas day.
Ian Roberts, UK

Definitely allow Christmas Day opening

Struan Grant, Germany

Definitely allow Christmas Day opening - one extra shopping day for those last minute gifts, a day earlier for Sales shopping and something to do when you go out for a Christmas afternoon stroll!
Struan Grant, Germany

With many supermarkets opening 24 hours in the run up to Christmas, surely it is unnecessary for them to open on Christmas Day? Retail staff deserve Christmas Day off too!
Steve Smith, UK

Unless we care for other people who depend on us, or we run the infrastructure our society depends on (electricity, gas etc) I can't see any reason why we should be forced to work on a Bank Holiday, or penalised for exercising the option not to. Doesn't Big Business make enough profit the rest of the year?
P, UK

If shops want to open on Christmas Day, then that's up to them

Nick Curtis, UK

If shops want to open on Christmas Day, then that's up to them. I won't be going as I don't have enough time to fit in all the family commitments as it is! Some of the smaller shops run by non-Christians have been open on Christmas day for years and that should be their choice. Pubs already open at Christmas, so should we be astounded that shops want to cash in too? The only negative thing that could come out of this is that employees are 'forced' into working on Christmas day.
Nick Curtis, UK

No way! I am only 30 but still remember the days when all was quiet on Sundays and Bank Holidays and people took time to relax or do what they wanted. Nowadays those unlucky enough to work in shops are forced to work all hours and those not working in them see fit to shop all hours of the day. Madness, I wish we could return to having peace and quiet at least one day a week!
Dave, UK

Absolutely ludicrous decision.
John Sutherland, Scotland

Who on earth is going to go shopping on Xmas day? Hey, if the store wants to open and pay willing staff triple time to man the place, sounds like capitalism at its best ... and when (and if) it doesn't pay, then they won't do it again. All this "make a law against it" rubbish is really quite immature.
Mark M. Newdick, USA/ UK