INDIANAPOLIS – From last-minute shopping to quick visits with Santa, malls across central Indiana are quite busy in these final hours before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Castleton Square Mall is one of many shopping centers that was packed Monday afternoon. Many shoppers were busy seeking out the perfect gift and the best deals as the clock winds down.
“We’re just shopping to make sure we get everything for Christmas,” said shopper Michael Washington.
“We’re getting the kids some stuff, getting the ladies some stuff and my nana,” described shopper Tyriek Johnson, who drove down from Anderson.
Hundreds of people made their way from store to store, tracking down every last item on the Christmas list. Many shoppers also tried their best to beat the lines along the way, especially at popular stores like Pandora.
“Yeah, it’s pretty busy, man,” said shopper Deon Love. “I guess that’s the new thing, bracelets are a hot commodity right now so that’s what we’re looking for. Look at it. Very long. It’s getting longer and longer by the second.”
Despite the surge of shoppers, some families said they thrive under pressure.
“This is my time to shine,” laughed shopper Taccasia Porter. “I like to rush and go shopping. So I’m having fun.”
There are also plenty of hot deals going on right now.
“Oh yeah,” Porter said. “They got 60% off, buy one get one free. Lots of stuff going on.”
Castleton Square Mall General Manager Danielle Parker said there are deals for everyone.
“It really just depends on what you’re shopping for,” she said. “If you’re shopping for apparel, our anchor stores have some real good deals. But also our small shapes, like JD Sports, Hollister, Tilly’s; we’ve got some really good deals spread out throughout the whole mall.”
Other families made a quick stop at the mall to make sure their wish lists got to the big man himself before he took flight on Christmas Eve.
“We came to see Santa today,” said mother Brittany Whalen. “We’re excited. They’re happy. They’ve been wanting to go all week. So, we finally had the time to come today and they’re on Christmas break.”
It is a Christmas dream come true for many kiddos.
“I’m going tell him what I want for Christmas and I’m going to take a picture with him,” said Isabella Baird.
Regardless of what brought shoppers out Monday night, one thing is clear: they are all feeling the holiday spirit.
“I love to see all the people,” Washington said. “We are all here for the same reason; to either give or get something and it just makes me feel like I’m not alone or I’m with a whole bunch of people and it’s kind of really nice to see.”
“It’s really about being with family, even the family that’s gone around the year, coming together,” Love said. “Just enjoy the time with your guys’ family and friends.”
Holiday shoppers have one more chance ahead of Christmas Day. Castleton Square Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
