You guys are looking at this all wrong. Assume the fire-ee is an incompetent yutz who deserves the boot. Kicking his ass into the snow on Dec 13, or Jan 5th will render him indistinguishable from the thousands of other incompetent yutzes who deservedly lose their jobs throughout the year.
But think of the favor you are doing him by firing him on Dec 24! You are providing this particular yutz with a story he can tell til his grave. He will undoubtedly cage a few sympathy drinks out of it.
Bill, you are a regular damn humanitarian and an inspiration. I knew there was a valid reason for having all these employees provide their birthdates…