Every year plays out in a familiar pattern. After Christmas break, critics begin sounding alarms about long weekends. Economists worry that time off hurts the treasury when government workers take breaks, while doctors warn that indulgence during holidays invites health risks. Law enforcement notes a cultural unfamiliarity with rest. The usual chorus suggests canceling the holidays entirely, as if removing leisure would solve deeper problems.
Such proposals carry a cynical edge. The people who push them often seem detached from everyday life, but the underlying question lingers: what happens when a worker’s well-earned weekend is taken away? Still, parts of the public have begun to push back. Surveys show that roughly 40 percent of Russians work or pursue extra income during holidays. For those who seek rest, the dilemma remains: crowds swell everywhere, and prices rise beyond the ordinary.
Late December and early January see about three million Russians planning trips, domestic or international. Yet travelers face the same crowds, museum queues, and long restaurant wait times that hamper the experience. The trend pushes some to skip travel entirely. In places like Saint Petersburg, crowds spill into the center, and the sense of freedom surrenders to saturation. Even with three children, many prefer to seek communal enjoyment outside the home, though balancing time off with family life remains a challenge.
One practical proposal is to rethink holidays without locking them to a single block. Rather than shifting everything to a single season, the idea is to create a flexible package of extra days that can be taken at different times across the year. Employers could allow advance notice for preferred days off. January and May weekends could be folded into the main holiday, while vacations could be split into two or three segments or taken as a longer stretch when needed. The core aim is to offer options that fit diverse plans.
One constant objection is that most people share the same preferred timing—summer with Christmas—yet reality differs. Some would gladly swap a long teaching vacation for several short breaks in the shoulder seasons. The seasons themselves can shape experiences; March can be delightful, especially in northern regions when crowds thin and views stay clear. Off-peak visits to museums are often more rewarding, and sometimes entirely possible. A memory from a family excursion to the Tretyakov Gallery on January 3 illustrates the point: long lines gave way to a calmer, more intimate moment inside the gallery.
Beyond travelers, spreading holidays benefits the broader economy. The tourism and entertainment sectors depend on steadier, predictable demand rather than peak-and-valley swings. A staggered schedule could distribute demand more evenly and reduce strain on venues, staff, and suppliers.
The other side notes that employers also have incentives to maintain coverage during holidays. In schools and other sectors, a steady roster of staff is needed for camps, exams, and other duties. Some educators may travel for assignments, others supervise exams during off-peak times, and administration sometimes asks staff to handle duties far from home. These burdens are sometimes accepted for minimal pay or simple appreciation, highlighting the need for more balanced scheduling that considers both workers and operations.
Supporters of more flexible scheduling point to potential gains, while critics worry about a creeping erosion of rest. Some propose drastic shifts—shorter weekends, six-day workweeks, and longer days—arguing life cannot be a constant indulgence. Yet comparisons with other nations show a mosaic of calendars: in 2024, production calendars in some countries already included substantial time off, and future years promise additional days in some places. In Japan, the United States, and beyond, holiday patterns vary by contract terms, roles, and tenure, illustrating that better balance is possible with thoughtful design.
In workplaces, flexible calendars could be paired with advance notice and phased vacations to preserve coverage and employee satisfaction across operations.
The discussion highlights how holidays shape tourism demand, employee routines, and cultural life, making planning beneficial for workers and businesses.
Ultimately, spreading time off is not about pausing life but about aligning rest with work, family, and community needs across seasons and sectors.
These ideas invite discussion about balancing rest, work, and public life.