With Christmas just hours away, many shoppers across the country are racing against the clock to complete their last-minute gift buying. From grocery stores to shopping malls, the holiday spirit is palpable as families and individuals scramble to check their lists before Santa makes his big trip.
On Christmas Eve, shoppers at The Shops at BrickCity in Fayetteville, Arkansas, shared their frenzied experience. Meredith Janski expressed her urgency, saying, “We felt the crunch time, big time. We woke up, and I said, 'Oh my gosh, we've got to go find who's open.'” Janski, alongside her daughter, was on the hunt for gifts for their family. “We're just trying to find some last-minute things they might like,” she added. “We'll figure it all out and get wrapping.” Another local shopper, Candy Harrell, was determined to finish up her shopping before the deadline. “If I have everything done by tomorrow at 11 o'clock, it will be a perfect world,” she noted.
It's not just Fayetteville feeling the Christmas crunch. Far to the west, Mesa, Arizona, is abuzz with last-minute shoppers. The parking lots at places like Target and Fry’s are filled to the brim with cars and shopping carts as residents load up on holiday essentials. Ty, one shopper, stated, “I was just doing some last-minute shopping for my nieces and nephews,” and Judith echoed his sentiment with her own last-minute scramble for family gifts. “It just snuck up on me,” revealed Josh, reflecting on how quickly Christmas arrived this year. Similarly, Curtis admitted, “I only shop the last three days before.” For some, procrastination is par for the course.
Shopping centers like Mo Money Pawn have become havens for last-minute deal-seekers. “It's the second-busiest day of the year for us,” said store owner Rodney Sands, highlighting the demand for final gifts. Quincy, another shopper, shared his intentions: “I’m probably going to go with like a necklace or diamond pendant” for his wife. With time running out, it seems many have put their faith in the generosity of Santa.
Just like the shoppers hustling to the stores, the employees of these establishments are also caught up in the Christmas hustle. Julia Redbear, assistant general manager at Books-A-Million, noted the unique experience of serving last-minute shoppers: “I think it’s really fun. It’s interesting to see not only the last-minute shoppers, but it draws people who maybe don’t normally come to our store.”
Meanwhile, the Gammeter Family, busy shopping for white elephant gifts, acknowledged the mix of joy and strain inherent to the season. “We usually do just like stocking stuffers,” they said. Reflecting on the holiday spirit, they added, “I have sort of a love-hate relationship with the scramble. I love the chance to shop, but I hope the employees can spend time with their families too.”
Despite the hectic scenes inside shops and stores, the Christmas rush doesn't seem to dampen spirits. Shoppers chat about their holiday traditions even as they dash from aisle to aisle. “We are Christmas shopping—like everywhere,” exclaimed first-grader Gavin Harris, who is excited about gifts for his grandmother. He’s not the only one; shoppers like Patti McGowin are also feeling the pre-holiday pressure. “Me and my husband are making ribs for dinner for our family for Christmas Eve, and they were out of ribs, so we had to go somewhere else.”
Throughout towns like Rapid City, South Dakota, the spirit of last-minute shopping is alive and well. Customers scurry in and out of stores, filling carts with “little things” for kids, as many retailers remain open until the last possible moment. “Some people will come here and buy some of the smaller stuff for kids, like toys or gift cards,” Redbear shared. Such efforts are met with gratitude as shoppers try to get what they can before the doors close.
Christmas Eve remains one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and both employees and customers are aware of the hustle. Many local businesses report this as one of their premier weeks, eagerly welcoming the holiday crowd. “It’s been one of our busiest weeks ever leading up to Christmas,” bookstore owners stated, clearly delighted with the influx of shoppers aiming to find those perfect last-minute gifts.
Overall, the last-minute shopping spree encapsulates the fun, frenzy, and joy of the holiday spirit. Families scurrying to find gifts, young children bursting with excitement about Santa's arrival, and local businesses buzzing with enthusiasm create a singular vibe. Whether resorting to stores or searching for just the right item at home, everyone seems to share one goal: to bring joy to their loved ones this Christmas.
So as Santa prepares for his flight, shoppers continue their quests, each gift selected bringing them one step closer to Christmas Day.
