Stores set for busiest day of year

“If it wasn’t for Christmas Eve, I wouldn’t get any shopping done”, says last minute shopper, Dillon Driscoll.

Thousands packed into the Herald Square Macy’s early Thursday morning to finish their holiday shopping.

A separate study for Barclaycard found that a quarter of those who plan to shop in this year’s sales (26%) did so today.

She’s definitely not alone.

Laura Duckworth, co-owner of The Gift Niche in downtown Roanoke, says for the last seven years Christmas Eve has always brought in a large crowd.

“I got here about an hour ago and Macy’s is out of control”, said shopper Ed Bogart.

“I’m pretty much done, but there’s a few last minute things I’d like to get”, he said.

But still the holiday finds a way to creep on those with busy schedules. “I work night shift so I use most of the day to get my stuff ready”, said Masedo.

“Today is my first day”, he said, chuckling.

Tammy Arnette with AAA said the heightened anxiety that is caused by shoppers rushing around to get last-minute gifts causes a lot of people to throw their bags in their auto and then lock themselves out of their vehicle.

“Sixty-five percent off”, said Brand.

“It’s the best time to go shopping, right”, he said with a laugh.

“I’m not Christmas shopping, that’s for sure”, said Hell’s Kitchen resident Cary Hooper.

High street retailers are pinning their hopes on pre-Christmas spending topping up what has been a hard year. “[It’s] slow. Slow. Not finding what I want”.

“It’s warm, I’m sweating, I have on summer clothes and buying Christmas gifts”, shopper Keturah Proctor from Elmsford told WCBS 880’s Stephanie Colombini.

Save-A-Lot: Christmas Eve 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and closed Christmas Day. Some department stores like Target and Wal-Mart stayed open later to accommodate the last-minute Rush. Most stores will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Already packaged and most likely of little interest to you, the gifts cluttering your desk or your closet are far more valuable when presented lovingly to family and friends on Christmas Day.