Last minute shopping stress didn't dampen Christmas spirit of Maritime shoppers

First at Five – Holiday Hustle First at five we head to the mall to see how shoppers are making out finding last minute gifts.

A line-up of customers kicked-off Christmas Eve Eve at Gifts Galore in Moncton on Monday and the steady stream of traffic didn’t slow down.

“There’s last minute shoppers, but today we’ve noticed there’s many ‘first minute shoppers.’ People coming in because Christmas falls in the middle of the week. They’re coming in because they thought they had another week, but they don’t have another week.”

Steve Clerke, co-owner of the 38-year-old store, says the holiday hustle isn’t uncommon, even this close to Christmas. With just two days to go, the most in-demand items are stocking stuffers and one-of-a-kind gifts.

“It’s hard to find that unique gift, so when they find it you see that lightbulb go off in their eye and they’re very excited about it,” said Clerke.

“They’re like little kids on Christmas morning. Finding the perfect gift is a gift in itself.”

Debi Gallant says it’s become a bit of a tradition to do her most personal gift-buying this close to Christmas.

“I kind of really need to be in the spirit to hand pick each of those, so the final days before Christmas, just before Santa Claus,” she said.

For Gallant, Monday was all about the final thoughtful gifts and the last minute necessities for Christmas dinner.

“We got everything we were looking for so far, so I think we’re just about done and we’ll do the final wrapping tonight,” she said.

Champlain Place, one of the Maritimes largest shopping centres, welcomed gift-buyers from all three Maritime provinces Monday. Many were searching for the perfect gift while also trying not to let the time crunch add even more pressure.

Rease Robertson came over from Prince Edward Island to shop for his mom and dad and to pick his friend up from the airport.

“I waited so late because, I don’t know, I was busy and just forgot,” he said.

“[It’s] extremely busy. Just people everywhere, line-ups. I shouldn’t have waited I guess, but it’s okay.”

William Sheppard drove from Sackville, N.B., to spend the day shopping with his brother.

“This is the only day that my brother and I could go shopping together to shop for mom and take advantage of the last-minute deals and stuff,” he said.

While it was a little later than he would have liked, Sheppard was feeling optimistic about the day ahead and that he would check-off everything on his list.

“It always works out. I mean, you walk around long enough you’re going to find something and worst-case scenario, you keep the receipt,” he said.

For others, like Rod Sanford, Dec. 23 is actually considered early.

“I usually do it on the 24th, but I’m here today using the mall,” he explained.

His daughter invited him up for a visit and shopping trip which is the reason he’ll be able to say he was ahead of the game this year.

“I’ll be done today. All the stores are open in the mall,” he laughed.

At the Halifax Shopping Centre, a full parking lot and constant stream of shoppers coming in and out of the building, painted a similar picture.

“This has definitely made me think that I should do it earlier, yea, it’s pretty crazy,” said Anna Shelton.

Shelton said she didn’t have time to start earlier and, while she doesn’t love the big crowds, it did help make it feel like Christmas.

Clarie Shelton, however, had a different story.

“I started really early in October because I knew I’d end up here today,” she said.

Many shoppers said they were out and about because they didn’t have a choice or were looking for a few last-minute items to help make Christmas Day a little extra special.

“This is my only opportunity. I have a young son that has autism, so today was the only day that he was at daycare and I have a day off of work, so that’s why I had to wait,” said Dawn Gale.

“I did alright, found a couple of things, still got to go to another couple of places.”