Last-Minute Shoppers Grab Gifts And Deals

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Cars poured off the Parkway West ramp into the various shopping venues in Robinson Monday, as last minute shoppers tried to wrap up their Christmas purchases.

"Yes, definitely, a couple more things 'til I'm done," said Jim Ramsey of Burgettstown.

"Still shopping," said Peggy McAnany of Midway. "Way too many people to shop for, way too many."

Shopping was steady at the Mall at Robinson, with some men admitting that shopping with hours to spare is pretty typical.

When asked if he usually shops two days before Christmas, Fred Hill admitted, "Actually, the 24th. I'm a day early."

"I'm into shopping really late, maybe two hours before the stores close," he added. "That way, what I don't get, I don't get."

But while supplies of some items may be limited, there are benefits.

One advantage to shopping late is great sales, such as 75 percent off.

"Yeah, you can get the good deals," said James Keller of Weirton, W. Va. "You can get them down. Save some money."

And another way to save dollars: free gift wrapping sponsored by the Humane Society looking for donations.

"There's a lot of last-minute wrapping," said volunteer Stephanie Okane. "The mall has been really busy and we're flat out wrapping hard."

And the wrappers will help customers hide their last minute gifts too.

Watch David Highfield's report:

"We switch a lot of bags," Okane said. "We do the bag decoy so it looks like you've been to one store, when you've really been to another store."

And if a cute doge makes the perfect gift for your family, you'll find that there too.

Stores were also saying open late as holiday shoppers continue to complete their Christmas lists later and later.

Paul Harris from Cranberry says he just started his shopping and expected to be out late into the night.

He walked out of Kohl's with several packages.

Kohl's is open 24 hours a day until Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. this year, for a total of five days straight.

Likewise, Toys 'R' Us is open round the clock, ending Christmas Eve at 9 p.m.

Macy's at Ross Park Mall is staying open until 2 a.m., early Tuesday morning, but the mall closes at 11 p.m. The mall is open Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There were also six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and while retailers can't add any days, they can add hours.

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