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10 Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2018

By U.S. News & World Report

While most businesses remain closed on Dec. 25, some restaurants are open for those who need sustenance on Christmas Day. Whether you need a quick bite, a coffee, a stiff drink or an entire meal, these are the major U.S. restaurant chains available to you this year:

— Bakers Square

— Boston Market

— Buca di Beppo

— Dunkin’

— Fogo de Chao

— IHOP

— Ruth’s Chris Steak House

— Shoney’s

— Starbucks

— Waffle House

Read on for more about each restaurant’s Christmas Day operating hours and menu offerings, plus additional strategies for dining out on Christmas.

[Read: The Financial Perks of Not Celebrating Christmas.]

Restaurants Open Christmas Day 2018<

These dining establishments will be open this year for Christmas. All restaurants listed below have been verified to be open at the chain level, but hours and participation may vary by franchise.

Bakers Square. The chain is known for its holiday pies and for serving breakfast all day. So celebrate Christmas with a slice of pumpkin pie and pancakes. Bakers Square will be open Christmas, but closing early. Most locations will shut down at 8 p.m., so don’t rely on it for a late-night option after party-hopping.

Boston Market. With hand-carved ham, sliced roasted turkey breast and sweet potato casserole on the Christmas Day menu, you can enjoy all your traditional favorites without having to cook. Only select locations will be open Christmas Day, and hours will vary, so call ahead.

Buca di Beppo. The Italian chain is known for its family vibe and ability to host large parties — even on Christmas Day. Restaurants open at 11 a.m. on Dec. 25, and closing times vary by location. Reservations are required. Buca di Beppo specializes in large portions for sharing family-style, so it’s a good option if you need to host the gang but don’t want to deal with cooking and cleanup.

Dunkin’. Need a doughnut or coffee to tide you over between Christmas morning and your first party stop? Some Dunkin’ locations will be open until 1 p.m. on Christmas. Opening times vary by location. In addition to the coffee and donuts Dunkin’ is known for, breakfast sandwiches are also on the menu, including the limited-time Holiday Spice Bacon breakfast sandwich. Other seasonal menu items include the Cinnamon Sticky Bun latte and Dear Santa doughnut.

[See: Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays.]

Fogo de Chao. If all-you-can-eat meat is your idea of a merry Christmas, Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chao will be open at 11 a.m. on Christmas Day. Check your location’s closing time for more details on operating hours. Reservations are required, and all menu items, including the Full Churrasco Experience, buffet and a la carte options, will be at dinner prices all day.

IHOP. Stop in for breakfast in the morning or at the end of a long day. Hours vary by location, but you can trust most of the 24-hour locations to be open. Check out the seasonal Grinch-themed menu.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House. If you’d rather have a more intimate fine-dining experience with close family or your significant other, Ruth’s Chris will be open on Christmas. For more details, check your location’s hours. Reservations are required, and the full menu will be available.

Shoney’s. The roadside staple will welcome Christmas Day diners with an all-you-care-to-eat Christmas Day feast that features turkey, ham, fried chicken, sweet potato casserole, collard greens and more holiday favorites.

Starbucks. Many, but not all, Starbucks locations will remain open on Christmas to keep you caffeinated. Christmas is also one of your last chances to order one of Starbucks’ famous seasonal beverages, including the Eggnog Latte, Peppermint Mocha and Gingerbread Latte.

Waffle House. Known for being open 24 hours a day and 365 days per year, Waffle House will keep its doors open on Dec. 25. Stop in for breakfast in the morning or unwind on your way home.

[Read: Shopping Holidays: The Best Days to Shop in 2018.]

Tips for Dining Out on Christmas Day

Dining out on Christmas is different from visiting a restaurant the rest of the year, so plan accordingly using these guidelines:

Double-check the hours: A restaurant may advertise that it will be open at the chain level, but some franchises and less-trafficked locations will be closed. Also, restaurants inside malls, office buildings and big-box stores will be closed, as the buildings housing them will likely be shuttered on Christmas. Even restaurants that are open may have reduced hours, so call ahead before visiting.

Check if reservations are required: You may be able to snag an impromptu table for two at your favorite eatery on the average night. But some restaurants open on Christmas require reservations. Call ahead to see if you need one.

Prepare for a limited menu: Some restaurants offer special or fixed-price menus on Christmas to streamline the process for staff and customers.

Tip generously: Recognize that restaurant staff are working on a day when many want to be with family and tip accordingly.

Companies and products mentioned in this article may be promoted on www.offers.com.

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10 Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2018 originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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