If you're waiting until Christmas Eve to get your shopping done, you may need to alter your schedule because many stores will close early Monday, Dec. 24.

Most businesses and offices in Whatcom County will be closed on Christmas. A few coffee places, restaurants, mini marts, gas stations and Walgreens are among the few businesses open Dec. 25.

No large grocery stores in Whatcom County will be open on Christmas.

In addition, if you're planning to do any business with a government agency, many of them will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

Below is the status of places on Christmas Eve and Christmas. For places not listed here, call ahead to check hours.

A list of businesses open on Christmas Day will be published in the Dec. 25 newspaper and online at TheBellinghamHerald.com.

GROCERY STORES

Haggen: Christmas Eve hours vary by store location; all stores closed on Christmas. The Fairhaven store will close at 7 p.m. Monday, Meridian and Sehome stores close at 9 p.m., and the Ferndale and Barkley stores are open until 10 p.m.

The Market/Cost Cutter: All Whatcom County stores (The Market at Lakeway and Birch Bay, all Cost Cutters, Lynden Food Pavilion and Everson Market) close at 6 p.m. Monday. All closed Tuesday.

Albertson's: Closes at 9 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Fred Meyer: Closes at 6 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Safeway: Closes at 7 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Community Food Co-op: Both locations close at 6 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Trader Joe's: Closes at 6 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Everybody's Store: Closes at 7 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

OFFICES, SCHOOLS, SERVICES

Whatcom County offices: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Port of Bellingham offices: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Bellingham city offices: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Bellingham parking meters: Not enforced until after Christmas.

Whatcom County library system and Bookmobile: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Bellingham Public Library: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

BANKS

All banks are closed Christmas Day, though many still offer online transactions. Hours vary on Christmas Eve with many closing earlier than normal.

Whatcom Educational Credit Union: Closing at 1 p.m. Monday.

SERVICES

U.S. Postal Service: Regular mail delivery Monday, but offices will close early. Mail dropped in blue boxes will be collected earlier than the posted time in many locations. No mail delivery Tuesday.

Garbage: Both SSC and Nooksack Valley Disposal will pick up garbage as usual these days. If you have a Tuesday regular pickup, Nooksack Valley asks you to make sure to put out your trash Monday night because trucks might be running earlier than normal.

Whatcom Transportation Authority: Regular schedule Monday, no buses Tuesday.

The Bellingham Herald: Regular newspaper delivery both days. Customer service office closes at 3 p.m. Monday; for missed papers call 360-676-2660. Customer service closed Tuesday; call Wednesday for missed papers or other subscription issues.

Opportunity Council: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

YMCA: Closes at 2 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Boys & Girls Club: Closed Monday through Wednesday; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 28.

SCHOOLS

Public schools: Classes resume in January.

Local colleges: Classes resume in January.

STORES, RESTAURANTS

Bellis Fair: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Target closes at 9 p.m.; Macy's, JC Penney and Kohls close at 6 p.m. Mall and its stores closed Tuesday; movie theater open.

Kmart: Closes at 10 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Walmart: Closes at 8 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Restaurants: Some closing early Monday. A few are open Tuesday. Call ahead; some require reservations.

Coffee places: Many closing early Christmas Eve; call ahead or check Web pages or Facebook for details. Only a few are open on Christmas, including Shorty's, Greene's Corner Market and Shots 2 Go Espresso.

ENTERTAINMENT

Whatcom Museum: Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Movie theaters: Regal Cinemas, Pickford Film Center and the Limelight open all days; show times vary.

Blockbuster: Lynden location open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Film is Truth: Open noon to 6 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

Trek Video: Open 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday.

For additions or changes to this list, email newsroom@bellinghamherald.com by noon Friday, Dec. 21.