LONG VALLEY, NJ — Last Christmas looked markedly different from years past as millions of Americans opted for smaller holiday celebrations amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
This year, however, as more and more Long Valley residents roll up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine, traditional — and larger — Christmas gatherings are almost guaranteed to make a jolly return.
While Thanksgiving was good practice for our return to Christmas dinners for 20, that doesn’t mean you won’t forget an ingredient or two when whipping up your favorite holiday side dish.
Have no fear — there’s a large selection of grocery stores open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for those emergency and last-minute shopping trips in and near Long Valley.
Here are the hours for grocery stores that will be open, along with a list of those that won’t:
Acme Markets: Stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. You can shop at one of the closest locations on 690 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph.
Aldi: Stores will be open Christmas Eve, but hours will vary by location; closed on Christmas Day.
You can shop at one of the nearby stores at 212 Route 46 East, Rockaway.
BJ’s Wholesale Club: Stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. You can shop at one of the closest locations at 1 Howard Boulevard, Ledgewood.
Costco: Some stores will be open for limited hours on Christmas Eve, and all stores will be closed Christmas Day. Call ahead to confirm hours with your local store. You can shop at one of the closest locations at 315 Route 15, Wharton, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
CVS: Many locations, including those open 24 hours, will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; however, some pharmacies may have reduced hours or be closed for the holiday. Customers are encouraged to call ahead to confirm hours at their preferred locations.
You can shop at three of the closest locations on 183 Route 206, Chester; 88 Main Street, Mendham; 1965 Route 57, Hackettstown
The Fresh Market: Stores will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. All stores are closed Christmas Day. You can shop at one of the closest locations at 75 Washington Valley Road, Bedminster.
Kings: Stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. You can shop at one of the closest locations on 86 East Main Street, Mendham.
Lidl: Stores will close at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve and remain closed through Christmas Day. One of the closest locations is on 2375 Route 22, Union.
QuickChek: Stores will close at 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve and be open Christmas Day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., with most fuel locations open 24 hours both days. One of the nearest locations is at 150 Route 206, Chester; and 134 Mountain Avenue, Hackettstown.
Rite Aid: Most locations will be open Christmas Eve, and select stores will be open Christmas Day; however, hours will vary. Call ahead to confirm hours. One of the closest locations is 203 Mountain Avenue, Hackettstown.
Sam’s Club: Stores will be open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day.
One of the closest locations is 300 Park Plaza Drive, Secaucus.
ShopRite: Hours will vary by location. Call ahead to your local store to confirm hours.
One of the closest is on ShopRite of Flanders, 90 Bartley Flanders Road, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Stop & Shop: Stores in New Jersey will close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. All stores will be closed on Christmas Day. You can shop at one of the closest locations is 1278 Route 22, Phillipsburg.
Target: Most stores will close at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. All stores are closed Christmas Day.
You can shop at one of the locations closest to 68 Route 46 West, Hackettstown.
Trader Joe’s: All stores will close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. Stores are closed Christmas Day.
You can shop at one of the nearest locations at 3056 Route 10, Denville.
Walgreens: Walgreens stores will be open during regular business hours on Christmas Eve. Pharmacy hours vary by location. On Christmas Day, most Walgreens stores will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Twenty-four-hour Walgreens locations and 24-hour pharmacies will remain open.
The closest locations are 11 West Main Street, Chester; 1982 Route 57 Hackettstown; and 428 County Road 513, Califon.
Walmart: Stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. All stores are closed Christmas Day. One of the closest locations is 1885 Route 57, Hackettstown.
Wawa: Most locations will be open 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
One of the locations nearby is 299 Mountain Avenue, Hackettstown.
Weis Markets: Most locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Some of the nearest include the Flanders' store at 239 Route 206, Hackettstown store at 2045 Route 57 and the Randolph location at 146 Center Grove Road.
This article originally appeared on the Long Valley Patch
