Which would you rather?

Mominator

I was just looking at my Vacation/PTO time off for the year and realized that I still have 5 days left (thought I only had 4). I plan on using .5 day on Halloween, but that still leaves me 4.5 days to play with. I'm thinking I only want to "schedule" 3 days off and leave that last 1.5 in case of emergencies/sickness/whatnot.

If you were me, would you:

Take off 11/21, 11/22 and 11/23 knowing that 11/24 and 11/25 are paid Holidays, so I would actually get an entire week off and only have to use 3 vacation days.

OR

Take off 12/22, 12/23 and 12/27 knowing that 12/26 is a paid Holiday, so only 6 straight days off, but 2 weeks in a row that would be short weeks.

august06mom

Are you hosting for Thanksgiving? If so, I'd use those as days to prepare. If not, I'd go for Christmas. This also leaves you a little extra time in case you need more days for emergencies.

jlw2505

Do you have the option to save any and carry them over into the next year?  I always try to carry 5 days over into the next year so I can use them in the early winter or if the kids get sick before I build up the next years PTO time.

As far as using the days you have - I think it depends on your plans for around either holiday?  Are you traveling at all?  If so, use them when you travel.  I personally like to spread my days out between Thanksgiving and New Year's so I work a lot of short weeks.  I always take off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and then I take off my b-day 12-21.  I then take off some random Friday's the rest of the time so I have long weekends and some time to myself while the kids are in school.  This year is a little crazy as my older DD's program has winter break the last week of December into the 1st week of Jan.  Should be interesting to see how people cover those days!  

AZ_Erica

I would take off around Christmas!

EastCoastBride

As I host Thanksgiving, I always take the day before off. 

We actually have to take the week between Christmas and NYE off and I honestly love it!  There is something about the extra time around Chrismas that makes it more relaxing and peaceful. 

ridesbuttons

Secret option number three:

I'd take off Monday November 28 to give yourself a 5 day weekend and a chance to recover from Thanksgiving madness; and I'd take off December 27, 28 &29 giving you a full week between Christmas and New Years (8 days straight).

I'd keep one day in my pocket for sick/emergency/whatever.

Jodi&Joe

ridesbuttons:

Secret option number three:

I'd take off Monday November 28 to give yourself a 5 day weekend and a chance to recover from Thanksgiving madness; and I'd take off December 27, 28 &29 giving you a full week between Christmas and New Years (8 days straight).

I'd keep one day in my pocket for sick/emergency/whatever.

SWEET HONEY MUSTARD....we have a winner!  But wait, do you get the 26th and 30th of December off for holidays? 

justEK

I would do what rides suggested. Mostly because it gives you more time to save the time for sick days. You need to get through winter with two in daycare!

peekaboo716

ridesbuttons:

Secret option number three:

I'd take off Monday November 28 to give yourself a 5 day weekend and a chance to recover from Thanksgiving madness; and I'd take off December 27, 28 &29 giving you a full week between Christmas and New Years (8 days straight).

I'd keep one day in my pocket for sick/emergency/whatever.

This sounds good. I also like the idea of taking option 2, giving you two short weeks. I love short weeks.