Last-minute shoppers flock to malls and stores in Queens to grab gifts for Christmas
QUEENS (WABC) -- Some call Christmas Eve the Super Bowl for holiday shoppers who are procrastinators.
There's nothing like waiting until the last minute to add on that extra amount of stress for the holidays, especially while dealing with the large crowds.
That was the case at Queens Center Mall on Tuesday for shoppers getting those last-minute gifts ahead of Christmas on Wednesday.
"We start going through the list, we start wrapping gifts and then you realize, wait a second, I missed somebody, or I think I should get them something else, so that's what happens," said shopper Jessica Zayas.
The mall opened at 8 a.m. for shoppers and is expected to pick up as the day goes on and the hours dwindle.
There are plenty of stores with last-minute deals and bargains for shoppers who want that special gift for someone.
"I got a couple gifts for my family," said Queens native Jeremiah Funk. "I got a (Juan) Soto jersey for my dad. Big Mets fan. Soto to the Mets. I got my brother a Central hoodie. I'm looking for a couple gifts for my mom. For the rest of my family, you know?"
Funk when asked why wait until Christmas Eve to shop, said, "Ah, you know I'm busy. Time crunching and you get a couple deals, you know, maybe they're trying to sell something for a little cheaper, so you know, I had to come out here and see what they got."
The business owners in the mall also had their sights set on cashing in on the final stretch of shoppers.
"Everyone is looking for last minute gifts today, so we're just trying to make sure everyone has what they want," added ILY Clothing Shayna Salomon.
The Queens Center Mall is closed tomorrow and will reopen on Thursday and many expect huge crowds again with people returning what they don't want.
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