While some of us are wondering if we’ll be able to celebrate Thanksgiving alongside our families eating a roasted turkey with all the trimmings, Walmart has decided early that they will be closing their stores on the holiday, even though they typically remain open.

In fact, many people look forward to shopping Walmart’s Black Friday sales in-store, which normally begins on Thanksgiving. But this year will be different (as most things will be). But in hopes of being able to see family members with the pandemic under control, it only made sense that employees could do the same.

“We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones,” John Furner, the president and CEO of Walmart US, said in a statement. “We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.”

Sam’s Club, Walmart’s warehouse chain, will also be closed on Thanksgiving this year, but Sam’s Club always remains closed for the holiday.

The idea of Walmart closing on Thanksgiving came from a store supervisor who suggested putting family before anything else this year.

“We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we will be managing sales events differently,” Furner said. “Kevin Carlyle is the People Lead at Store #475 in Round Rock, Texas. He recently wrote us and suggested that we close for Thanksgiving during this unusual year, so that our associates could spend the day with their families.”

What do you think Thanksgiving will be like this year come November? Do you usually shop Black Friday sales at Walmart (or other stores) on Thanksgiving? What do you think of the store announcing that they will close for the holiday so employees can hopefully spend it with their families?