As a former barista, I was heartbroken to find out that I could not spend Christmas eve with my family, none of whom I had seen since the prior Christmas. Starbucks has an "open 365 days a year" policy which is more than demanding on the employees. Baristas must work at least two major holidays every year, and are not guaranteed off for the other holidays they prefer not to work; it is granted based on seniority and the needs of the business (people call in sick, the store gets unexpectedly busy), so employees end up missing their families' gatherings. Not to mention retail blackout, which prevents employees from asking off at all during the holidays to try to make up for lost time with family and friends. It simply is not fair that they should not be able to partake in the most special of family traditions to go to work and serve coffee. The potential of holiday pay does not compensate for missing time honored and sacred family togetherness, especially when the employee is not working out of his or her own will, but the demand of the schedule. Please give baristas a break and make coffee at home this holiday season for your family time so that Starbucks sees that their valued customers do care about the wellbeing and crucial family life of their favorite local baristas.