Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your go-to public holiday guru, Holiday Little Assistant, back with another deep dive. Today, we’re tackling a question that’s been popping up a lot: how much do federal holidays actually cost the government? Spoiler alert—it’s way more than just an extra day off! Let’s break it down together.

So, What’s the Price Tag on Federal Holidays?

When you think about federal holidays, you might picture fireworks on the Fourth of July or turkey on Thanksgiving. But behind the scenes, these days off come with a hefty bill. The U.S. government spends billions annually to keep things running (or not running) during these breaks. Here’s where the money goes:

• Paid Leave for Federal Employees: Over 2 million federal workers get paid time off for holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day. That’s a ton of salaries clocking in for zero work hours!
• Overtime Pay: Essential workers (think TSA agents, postal workers) often work holidays—and Uncle Sam pays them extra for it. Cha-ching!
• Economic Ripples: Closed agencies mean delayed services, contract pauses, and even lost tax revenue. Yeah, holidays can slow the money train.

Crunching the Numbers: The Real Cost

While the feds don’t publish an official “holiday price list,” experts estimate the direct costs (like wages) at $800 million to $1 billion per holiday. Multiply that by 11 federal holidays, and… yikes. Then add indirect costs like:

• Productivity Loss: When non-essential gov offices close, permits pile up, and paperwork crawls. Delays = dollars lost.
• Security & Tourism: Big holidays like July 4th require extra policing, traffic control, and cleanup. DC’s Independence Day bash alone costs millions.

But Wait—Do Holidays HELP the Economy Too?

Good news! While holidays cost the government, they boost private sectors like retail (Black Friday, anyone?), travel, and restaurants. More shopping = more sales tax revenue. So it’s not all red ink!

FAQs About Federal Holiday Costs

1. Do holidays increase national debt?

Not directly, but if the government borrows to cover budget gaps (hello, overtime pay!), it can add to long-term debt.

2. Why don’t states share the cost?

States handle their own holiday budgets—some even add extra days (looking at you, Texas’s “Juneteenth” holiday!).

3. Could cutting holidays save money?

Technically, yes—but good luck convincing Americans to ditch Thanksgiving! Politically, this is a non-starter.

The bottom line? Federal holidays are expensive, but they’re also baked into our culture and economy. Whether it’s worth the cost depends on who you ask—but try telling a kid (or a postal worker) we should cancel Christmas!

Thanks for hanging out, folks! Now you know the real deal behind those “free” days off. Got more holiday Qs? Hit me up—your Holiday Little Assistant is always on duty! (Well, except maybe on Labor Day.)