MOBILE, Ala. – With Christmas Day only hours away, shoppers across the Mobile area made a final push Thursday to pick up last-minute gifts and necessities.
Retailers throughout the city saw a steady stream of customers wrapping up their holiday lists just ahead of the holiday.
“I had to last-minute shop for gifts for my parents,” said Dylan Preston, one of the shoppers out Thursday.
Ashley Hayes said she came out for items for herself after covering gifts for her children. Others, like Liam and Liah Brehony, said timing was the main issue.
“Last minute shopping. You seem to think of everyone and then at the last moment there’s always someone you forgot, so we’re out to get a few presents for a few beautiful people,” Brehony said.
Shoppers said they waited until the final days for a variety of reasons, including limited resources earlier in the season and a lack of time.
Many said they were simply grateful to be celebrating another Christmas with family.
“I’m thankful for Christmas, waking up this morning, having a wonderful day,” said Andelair Betties. “I’m out with my family shopping for my wife, and my grandkids, and kids.”
“It’s good nobody is out here causing trouble for nobody,” said Von Dembert. “That’s how it’s supposed to be, it’s Christmas. You just have no heart if you want to do something bad out here for Christmas.”