christmas_shopping
Time to wrap up your holiday shopping with these last minute Christmas gift ideas! www.christmasstockimages.com

Good news procrastinators: some stores will be open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25 for your last-minute holiday shopping needs. Whether you need a quick gift for someone you left off your list or trimmings for the family meal, there are still store options despite the nationally recognized holiday. And if your meal flopped or you want to treat yourself to dinner out on Old St. Nick, there are some, but limited, restaurant options for dining.

For Christmas Eve, Walmart, Target, Kmart, Costco and a handful of other stores will have limited hours on Tuesday. However, when it comes to Christmas Day on Wednesday, only a small number of stores, like CVS and Walgreens, will open their doors.

"Unfortunately, the pickings will be slim for those who are waiting until the last minute to finish shopping, as very few stores are open on Christmas Day," a reporter for GoBankingRates.com told CNBC. "If you have specific gifts in mind for your loved ones, you likely won't be able to find them at the retailers whose doors remain open through the holiday."

For those looking for some grub on Christmas or something to pass the time, many restaurants like Denny's, Starbucks and IHOP along with movie theater chains including AMC will also be open on Dec. 25. Many store hours will vary or close early so be sure to verify with your local branch.

While majority of stores were open on Thanksgiving Day this year for ultra-early Black Friday shopping, many major retailers will keep their doors closed for the Christmas season. Most notably, Walmart and Target will stay closed as Santa comes to town. If you feel the need to shop after you open your presents, the Internet never closes; you can shop your favorite stores, many of which offer holiday discounts, online.

For most retailers, nearly every store will resume normal hours on Dec. 26 to cater to an influx in returns and exchanges. Restaurants will follow suit as shoppers hit the malls and stores for post-holiday sales.

So if you've waited until Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day to snag gifts for your friends or family or do your grocery shopping, here's a list of the national stores open over the holiday and some restaurants to eat at. But be sure to check your local store location to verify the hours.

CHRISTMAS EVE, DEC. 24, 2013

Apple: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in most stores on Christmas Eve.

Bed Bath & Beyond: Store hours may vary, depending on location -- but many will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Best Buy: Christmas Eve hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

BJ’s Wholesale Club: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Costco: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Dollar General: Most stores open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Gap: Many stores will have regular hours on Christmas Eve.

JC Penney: Christmas Eve extended hours beginning at 7 a.m.

Kmart: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 24.

Kohl’s: 6 a.m. Dec. 20 through 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Lowe’s: All Lowe’s stores are closed Christmas Day but open Christmas Eve.

Macy’s: Many Macy's stores are beginning extended hours this week, opening from 7 a.m. to midnight through Thursday. Opening times remain the same Friday through Monday, Dec. 23, but stores will remain open longer, closing at 2 a.m. (Check your store at macys.com.)

Marshalls: Christmas Eve hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Michaels: The creative arts and crafts store will be closed Christmas Day, but open on Christmas Eve from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nordstrom: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Staples: Normal business hours on Christmas Eve.

Target: 7 a.m. to either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, depending on the location.

The Home Depot: Closed Christmas Day, open Christmas Eve with select hours; check with specific locations to verify.

TJ Maxx: The retail chain will be closed Christmas Day but open Christmas Eve; check specific locations for store hours.

Toys R Us: Open 24 hours, until 9 p.m.

Walmart: Walmart hours vary by location, but most stores will be open Christmas Eve.

Whole Foods: Christmas Eve hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though it may vary in some locations.

*All of the stores listed above will be closed on Christmas Day.

CHRISTMAS DAY, DEC. 25, 2013

7-Eleven: Most stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will remain open on Christmas.

CVS: Many locations will open on Christmas Day, some of which are 24 hours.

Denny’s: Denny's will be open nationwide on Christmas Day.

IHOP: Many locations will open on Christmas Day.

McDonald’s: Many locations will open on Christmas Day.

Starbucks: Many locations will open on Christmas Day.

Walgreens: On Christmas Day, most stores will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and pharmacies will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.