Should Our Center or Clinic Close for the Holidays?

The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and rest. It’s also a time when staff at pregnancy centers and pro-life clinics deserve much-needed time off to recharge. The work you do year-round is demanding — emotionally, spiritually, and physically – and making space for rest is essential to prevent burnout. We are 100% behind this.

That said, it’s equally critical to recognize that pregnancy, medical needs, and crises don’t take a holiday. In fact, the weeks surrounding Christmas and the new year often bring some of the busiest and most challenging moments for women who may be facing unexpected pregnancies.

Staying available through the holidays can ensure no woman is left alone in one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. We are here to share some practical ways you can be there for her, while also being able to close and give your team the time they need to rest and recharge.

Why Holiday Hours Matter for Your Center

1. Pregnancy doesn’t pause for holidays. We know this. Unexpected pregnancies, late periods, and pregnancy symptoms don’t wait until after Christmas or New Year’s. Women often discover they might be pregnant during the holidays, when emotions are already high. If she finds you by searching online and sees that you are closed, she’ll slip through the cracks. Or if she calls, but doesn’t get to speak to someone right away, she will most likely move on. 

2. Holiday stress can heighten crises. The holidays are often a time of family tension, financial stress, and loneliness. If a woman finds out she’s pregnant during this season, she may feel even more overwhelmed and consider making a rushed decision. Or if she’s already made a decision for life once, but new stressful circumstances arise during the holiday season, that could lead her to consider abortion or be vulnerable to outside pressure. Access to immediate support can make all the difference.

3. Limited availability of other services. Doctors’ offices, schools, and even many social service organizations reduce hours or close during the holidays. That leaves fewer options for women who urgently need pregnancy testing or confirmation, information, or emotional support. You can help fill that critical gap.

4. Abortion access doesn’t stop. Online abortion access is 24/7, and abortion clinics often stay open during the holidays, knowing this is a time when many women feel pressured to act quickly. If pregnancy centers close or pause advertising, they leave women without an alternative at a crucial decision-making moment. Even if you have reduced hours or a few closed dates, we recommend that your center or clinic still show you are available online, that you keep your ads running, and have people available to respond to inquiries, answer the phone, or make appointments during those times.

5. Continuity of care builds trust. When women know a center is always available—even during holidays—it shows reliability and compassion. That trust can be the deciding factor in whether they walk in the door or not. While it’s normal for all businesses to close Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, or even a full or half day on the eve of those holidays, most healthcare providers are open the rest of the season.

Balancing Staff Needs with Patient Care

Of course, no one is suggesting that staff shouldn’t take time off; they absolutely should. The solution lies in finding a balance that ensures women still have access to critical services when they need them most. Options like rotating staff schedules, reducing holiday hours, or creating on-call availability for urgent appointments can help maintain essential coverage without overburdening the team. This can also allow you to remain “open” online throughout the season and prioritize the most urgent matters over cases that can wait.

By keeping doors open during the holiday season, even with limited staffing, your center sends a powerful message: women are not alone, no matter what time of year it is. Whether it’s offering pregnancy testing, ultrasound scans, or simply a compassionate conversation, being available can mean the difference between a woman feeling abandoned or supported in her moment of crisis.

Practical Options and Steps to Make Holiday Coverage Possible

Honestly, you and your team deserve to take a whole month off, not just a week. And years ago, even being close 5-7 days did not inhibit your ability to serve women in need. For the most part, women looking for pregnancy testing or considering abortion waited until you were open again. We saw this firsthand at our own centers. However, the world changed a few years ago, and we wanted to share some easy ways to adapt while still taking care of your staff.

1. Plan Ahead – Start creating a holiday schedule 2-3 months in advance. Ask staff about their availability and preferences early to make fair accommodations.
   

2. Use Rotating Shifts – Share coverage so no single person carries the whole burden. For example, one staff member covers mornings, another afternoons, and a third is on call.
   

3. Leverage On-Call Coverage – Designate one staff member to be available by phone for emergencies or urgent appointments. Or use a pro-life messaging or call service and let that team know when to contact a staff member about setting up an appointment over the break (i.e., abortion-determined client) and when to schedule for when you’re back.
   

4. Offer Reduced Hours – Stay open with shortened days or hours (i.e., Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.) to remain accessible without exhausting staff or volunteers.
   

5. Prioritize Critical Services or Specific Requests – Focus on urgent needs like pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and immediate counseling for women considering abortion. Communicate clearly what services are available now and later.
   

6. Cross-Train Staff & Volunteers – Equip team members and trained volunteers to handle basic duties like phones, intake, or reception so medical staff can focus on patients.
   

7. Communicate Clearly – Update Google Business Profiles and social media with special holiday hours. Set voicemail greetings with holiday availability and after-hours support. Let women know they are still a priority during this time and that someone will reach out to set an appointment date right away.

   
   

By planning and communicating clearly with staff and patients, clinics can create a holiday schedule that respects the well-being of their team while also honoring their mission to serve women at every moment of need.

No Matter What, Prioritize Rest, Too

We know burnout is real. Time with family and time to rest are a critical part of staying in ministry. We are in no way suggesting that it’s wrong to take time off – you should! We also believe you know what is best what your staff, your area, and your patients. And know, our team is covering you in prayer during the holiday season and always.