Use this clever trick to make the most of your paid time off and extend those 11 vacation days into a full year of leisure!#Travel #Texas #DallasTX #News
Dallas, TexasIt can seem like you never have enough time off when you’re working with restricted paid time off (PTO). However, in 2025, there’s a smart method to maximize just 11 days off, making it equal to 44 days of vacation. You can use this tactic to extend public holidays into longer breaks, sometimes even weeks off, but it won’t gain you weeks of vacation time from your employer. Careful planning and taking action before others notice are crucial.
Maximizing Public Holidays for Long Weekends
This strategy’s concept is straightforward: use public holidays to your advantage and, with a few more PTO days, build prolonged weekends or weeks off. It all comes down to scheduling your paid time off on the appropriate days and making early requests. Here’s how to maximize your vacation time by utilizing every federal holiday.
The Month-by-Month Breakdown
You have two excellent opportunities in January to take more time off from work. New Year s Day falls on a Wednesday, but you can turn it into a five-day vacation by taking the two days before (Monday, Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 31). Taking Thursday and Friday off extends your vacation time to a full week if you already have those days off. Later in the month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20, is an ideal chance to take the following Tuesday (Jan. 21) off, making for a four-day weekend.
President s Day on Monday, Feb. 17, is a perfect opportunity to stretch into a four-day break by taking the preceding Friday, Feb. 14, off. Before the year officially begins, now is a fantastic chance to take advantage of some extra vacation time.
There s a bit of a wait until May, but when Memorial Day rolls around on Monday, May 26, you can extend the long weekend by taking Friday, May 23, off. This creates a solid four-day break to recharge.
This year, Juneteenth happens on a Thursday, June 19. Taking the Friday (June 20) off will give you a four-day weekend. This is a good option for a mid-year reset without taking too many days off.
In 2025, the Fourth of July falls on a Friday, but if you want to kick off the long weekend early, take Thursday, July 3, off. This gives you a four-day break that combines the holiday with an extra day of rest.
Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1, marks the unofficial end of summer. Requesting Tuesday, Sept. 2, off will extend this weekend into a much-needed longer break.
Indigenous People s Day on Monday, Oct. 13, is a chance for another extended weekend. If you can take Friday, Oct. 10, off, you ll have a four-day vacation to enjoy.
November is the month to really maximize your time off. Veteran s Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, pairs perfectly with Monday, Nov. 10, for a four-day weekend. Then, for Thanksgiving, if you don t already have Friday, Nov. 28, off, request it for a five-day break. If you do have the day off, try for the Wednesday before or Monday after Thanksgiving for an extended time away.
Finish the year strong by taking advantage of the December holidays. Christmas falls on a Thursday, Dec. 25, and if you don t already have Friday, Dec. 26, off, make sure to request it. Alternatively, you could ask for Dec. 24 or Dec. 29 off for another long break. If you re lucky, your boss may even give you Dec. 30 and 31 off, giving you a fantastic end to the year.
Plan Early for the Best Vacation Year Yet
By strategically planning your PTO and pairing it with public holidays, you can enjoy far more time off in 2025 than you might have thought possible. Make sure to request those days off early before your coworkers catch on to the same idea! With just 11 days of PTO, you can turn your year into a series of extended weekends and well-deserved full vacations.
RELATED TOPICS:Travel Tips|Travel Hacks
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