CHICAGO — Shopping malls and stores across Chicagoland were jammed with shoppers Tuesday as people raced to get last-minute gifts for those celebrating the holidays.
On Christmas Eve, many stores will close at 6 p.m., leaving many last-minute shoppers scrambling for the perfect gift.
Gaelle Bennett and her little cousin, Okine Dacres, were among those feeling the pressure with hours to spare before Christmas morning.
“Stressful because there is so much stuff to do,” Bennett said.
But it’s not all stress-induced activities, as Santa Claus worked to put smiles on people’s faces at Old Orchard’s Candy Cane Station, one of many new attractions to keep things fresh.
“We have gotten lucky with the weather. It was a little cold on Black Friday, so we think we’ve seen some of those shoppers now waiting to get their gifts,” Maegen Akers, Westfield Old Orchard general manager, said.
Pamela Hester was short on time on Tuesday, so she utilized her resources and enlisted the help of her niece.
“We had to do some last-minute shopping,” Hester said. “We’re getting it done for our family Christmas party that’s on Christmas Day.”
