Not just men leaving Christmas shopping to the last minute

Dec 23, 2016 | 3:53 PM

KAMLOOPS —  Santa may have made his list and checked it twice, but with less than two days to go until Christmas, it’s clear some Kamloops shoppers are behind crossing off their own list.

“We haven’t done any shopping yet,” said one woman at Aberdeen Mall.

“Today’s last minute, it always is,” said another woman.

December 23rd remains one of Aberdeen Mall’s busiest shopping days of the year.

With the hours to find that perfect gift for family and friends quickly counting down, shoppers at Aberdeen Mall come focused and ready to spend.

“On December 23rd we typically see a lot of last-minute shopping coming in,” said Brynn Gise, Marketing and Specialty Leasing Director with Aberdeen Mall. “

“It’s everything from ‘I forgot to get a present for Christmas dinner’  to those who haven’t had a chance to even do their Christmas shopping yet.”

While some mall browsers claim to be done their shopping, others say today’s last-minute visit was deliberate.

“I usually wait until Christmas eve,” said one woman. “Just because the malls busier and it actually feels like Christmas. The only time I like the mall is when it’s busy.”

While the old adage is that men are typically more likely than women to start their Christmas shopping just days before the big event, CFJC-TV scoured the mall to find out if the cliche actually rang true.

“I’m just about done actually,” said one man. “All I have left to get is odds and ends, just wife stuff.”

“For the first time in 25 years I’m actually done my Christmas shopping,” said another man.

While some people wouldn’t dare to battle jam-packed parking lots and overflowing crowds the day before Christmas Eve, mall staff say for some people it’s unavoidable.

“There’s those that work the night shift or are so busy they’re just going into their vacation,” said Gise. “Now’s the time to escape and get the shopping done.” 

Whatever the reason, shoppers wallets may be a little lighter, stresses may be a little heavier, but spirits remain high.

“I’m feeling good,” said one man. “How can you not? It’s Christmas.”