Last Minute Holiday Shopping
Retailers and shoppers are in the frantic final hours before Christmas Day. For some, the rush to get all that shopping done has just begun. News 25’s Kristen Durand caught up with some of those shoppers today.
Prime cuts of meat came in special packaging at the Winn-Dixie in Orange Grove this Christmas Eve morning, as shoppers cruised the aisles for those holiday trimmings. While it was warm and cozy inside the store, the stormy weather on the outside slowed down, and even grounded, some holiday shoppers. Winn-Dixie District Director Kate Speakes said, “It is a little slow starting off today. The weather is not cooperating with Santa Claus and his reindeer making it to the grocery stores but we’re confident everyone is going to be able to make it in here today and get all of their needs taken care of.”
And there’s always the one ingredient we seem to forget. Holiday shopper Brandy Daniels said, “We did most of our Christmas shopping already here but we forgot cranberry sauce, so we’re here at the last minute to get cranberry sauce.” Daniels had to make a last minute dash to the grocery store before heating things back up at the home front for the holiday feast she has planned. “We’re going to go home right now and go get the turkey started. We’re going to bake cookies for Santa and as soon as the cookies cool off, we’re going to decorate the cookies for Santa tonight,” said Daniels.
While some are out braving the weather to pick up last minute holiday fixings, others are out braving the weather picking up those last minute Christmas gifts. Holiday shopper Darnell Evans said, “Mainly doing some Coach Store shopping, looking for purses and jewelry for the ladies."
We’re told there are some benefits to shopping at the last minute, as retailers rush to sell the rest of their holiday merchandise. “I love the leftovers because nobody is bumping in to me, trying to get the same thing I’m trying to buy,” said Evans.
So, with the weather, traffic and crowds, if you do decide to run out at the last minute, make sure patience is at the top of your list.
Winn-Dixie will be closing at 9 p.m. tonight. The Gulfport Premium Outlets close at 6.
Prime cuts of meat came in special packaging at the Winn-Dixie in Orange Grove this Christmas Eve morning, as shoppers cruised the aisles for those holiday trimmings. While it was warm and cozy inside the store, the stormy weather on the outside slowed down, and even grounded, some holiday shoppers. Winn-Dixie District Director Kate Speakes said, “It is a little slow starting off today. The weather is not cooperating with Santa Claus and his reindeer making it to the grocery stores but we’re confident everyone is going to be able to make it in here today and get all of their needs taken care of.”
And there’s always the one ingredient we seem to forget. Holiday shopper Brandy Daniels said, “We did most of our Christmas shopping already here but we forgot cranberry sauce, so we’re here at the last minute to get cranberry sauce.” Daniels had to make a last minute dash to the grocery store before heating things back up at the home front for the holiday feast she has planned. “We’re going to go home right now and go get the turkey started. We’re going to bake cookies for Santa and as soon as the cookies cool off, we’re going to decorate the cookies for Santa tonight,” said Daniels.
While some are out braving the weather to pick up last minute holiday fixings, others are out braving the weather picking up those last minute Christmas gifts. Holiday shopper Darnell Evans said, “Mainly doing some Coach Store shopping, looking for purses and jewelry for the ladies."
We’re told there are some benefits to shopping at the last minute, as retailers rush to sell the rest of their holiday merchandise. “I love the leftovers because nobody is bumping in to me, trying to get the same thing I’m trying to buy,” said Evans.
So, with the weather, traffic and crowds, if you do decide to run out at the last minute, make sure patience is at the top of your list.
Winn-Dixie will be closing at 9 p.m. tonight. The Gulfport Premium Outlets close at 6.
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