Malls, stores crowded as shoppers scramble to get last-minute gifts

ELMHURST (WABC) -- Shoppers headed to the malls Wednesday in a mad scramble of last-minute holiday shopping to buy gifts on Christmas Eve.

Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst welcomed shoppers at 7 a.m., and stayed open until 7 p.m.

Macy's, which was already open overnight, closed at 6 p.m.

But some stores gave customers time to shop online.

Amazon offered free same day delivery in some cities, but orders had to be placed by 10 a.m.

"Given the shipping delays last year, more and more people are choosing to buy their items online and pick them up in store. And stores are actually encouraging that trend too," said New York Times reporter Rachel Abrams.