Clinton grants half-day off on Christmas Eve

Federal employees have received an early holiday gift from the President-a half-day off on Christmas Eve.

In an executive order released Thursday afternoon, President Clinton ordered that all agencies be closed for the last half of the scheduled workday on Dec. 24th.

Some exceptions apply to personnel responsible for national security and defense, and "for other essential public reasons," the order stated.

The half day off is somewhat of a tradition in years when Christmas falls on a Friday, according to a White House spokesman.