SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — Last-minute holiday shoppers in KELOLAND will be rushing to the stores this weekend with just days to go before Christmas.
Many of them are admitting to feeling the pressure to complete their shopping lists by Tuesday.
Angst in the aisles.
“I feel like I’ve waited a little too long,” shopper Stephanie Olson said.
Procrastinators under pressure.
“It’s very stressful I’d say because then you have to hurry up and find what people like,” shopper Annika Olson said.
Christmas snuck up on a lot of these last-minute shoppers because Thanksgiving came so late this year.
“This year has been weird. I don’t know how. But, it’s moving fast,” Annika Olson said.
Last-minute purchases at Lewis Drug range from big-ticket items to stocking stuffers.
“They’re buying a lot of grills. They’re buying a lot of Christmas decor. Honest, just everything,” Lewis Southgate Floor Manager Lindsey Saboe said.
This is the final trip to the store before Christmas for some customers.
“I haven’t finished my Christmas cards, so I’ve got letterhead for my Christmas cards,” shopper Deb Nelson said.
Others are buying gifts for their pets.
“I’m done shopping for all my peoples. But not my dog and my dog is obsessed with rubber chickens, so this is going in his stocking,” shopper Michelle Gibson said.
Lewis says the procrastinators have been patient.
“They know that there might be a little bit of a wait when they come with the lines being, not crazy long, but they’re so sweet. Everybody is so nice. They’re nice to talk to, they like to tell you stories like where they’re going for Christmas and who they’re spending it with and this is why I need this so quickly,” Saboe said.
Customers say they’ll be relieved once their Christmas shopping is finished. But until then, many will be up with the chickens and back to the stores tomorrow.
Last-minute shoppers had an added incentive to go to the store Friday. Lewis offered all of its fresh-cut Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands for free, while supplies lasted.
