Holiday hustle: last minute shoppers race the clock

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s the night before Christmas and all through the mall today, there were shoppers looking for last-minute gifts for all.  

We went to Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington on Tuesday to catch up with some shoppers. 

Christmas eve means one last day to get any last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers you may need.  

Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington had people doing last minute Christmas shopping Tuesday afternoon.  

Tracye and Valerie Lewis from Burgaw still had some shopping to do.  

“Nine stockings on my wall that I haven’t stuffed yet,” Tracye said. 

“I’m not stuffing stocking but I’m on my way to Bath and Body Works,” Valerie said. 

But why wait until Christmas Eve? 

“You know we last minute people. No, we are not, she is! I usually have my stuff done for my grandbabies,” Lewis’ chatted and laughed.  

Sisters Kristin Marshburn and Keree Kuehne are not only Christmas shopping but also shopping for their sister’s wedding that is in a few days.  

Marshburn said her grandfather taught her to shop on Christmas eve to avoid crowds. Although she says it’s changed over the years.  

“Five years ago, there wouldn’t have been a car parked on the street. So, I actually think for a last-minute person it is like the best day of the year because nobody is actually this last minute,” Marshburn said. 

“I’m shopping a little bit. I shop like months in advance so I can get it over with,” Kuehne said. 

Mother and daughter, Rhonda and Olivia Riemenschneider have made shopping on Christmas Eve a tradition.  

“So, it is our Christmas Eve tradition to go shopping every year. So, we moved here a few years ago and came here last year so we decided to do it again,” Olivia Riemenschneider said.  

This tradition started a while back.  

“It started when she was little. We used to go get a picture with Santa at the mall and we just always shopped,” Rhonda Riemenschneider.  

A message from all of the shoppers:  

“Merry Christmas,” the Lewis’ said.  

“Just Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Stay safe,”  

“Merry Christmas,” from the Riemenschneider’s.  

Mayfaire Town Center will be closed Christmas day and will reopen at 10am on Thursday.  

Independence will also be closed Christmas day and will reopen Thursday at 11am.