Locals scramble for last-minute gifts

Eastern Idahoans scrambled to get last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve. Department stores in Ammon were packed with people trying to fill those holiday wish lists.

“For my mom I’ll probably get her some earrings or some lotion or some little things that she likes,” said shopper Madelyn Clark.

“I bought my mom two blankets and I sewed them and put them together. I am really excited to give that to her,” said shopper Kelsey Hanks.

Even though shoppers let some time slip away, people are in store for some great last minute bargains.

“Target is our first stop. I actually work here so I get a nice discount so that is kind of a plus,” said Lexie Clark.

Target and Kmart are just a few of the places staying open until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The two department stores are where we found some procrastinators in need of gifts.

“Life is just so busy, I haven’t had anytime to go shopping,” said Lexie Clark.

“I got a lot of shopping done fairly early but when you get everything put together you figure out who you missed out so you got to run out and get the last-minute gifts and hope that the stuff is there,” said Eric Lage.

“I just took the money that I earned and bought some gifts for my parents and I feel pretty good about that,” said Noah Hanks.

The National Retail Federation estimates $602 billion will be spent this holiday season. That’s almost a 4 percent increase from last year. The shopping season was short this year too, because Thanksgiving was the last week of November and Christmas is the fourth Wednesday of December.

The five busiest shopping days are from Dec. 20-24.