Last-minute shoppers rush to finish holiday shopping in Hamilton

It’s the last shopping weekend before Christmas — when wallets are working overtime, and procrastination becomes a sport.

“I hoped I’d be done by Christmas,” said last-minute shopper Alan Charters.

Retailers are pulling out all the stops, flashing sales signs to attract as many people to enter and shop.

It’s only been a couple of hours since Lime Ridge Mall opened today at 10 a.m., and shoppers are streaming in with lists in hand.

Some are kicking off their day with a photo with Santa, who’s sharing the golden rule for last-minute Christmas shopping, “Make sure you have a list and check it twice.”

For many shoppers, that list could be short or long.

“At least 20; I have a large family, so it’s quite a bit,” said Agne Rapkeviciute.

Sharon Sayles says she only has one rule for buying gifts for people on her list, “If it brings somebody joy, then it’s the perfect gift.”

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Outside of Lime Ridge Mall, parking lots turn into holiday obstacle courses, where turn signals are optional and finding a spot feels like winning a lottery.

“It was just chaos right. Everybody’s whipping around out there,” said Charters.

Inside, shoppers are on a mission to complete their holiday shopping, which according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), is the most important time of the year — a make-or-break point for businesses. Something that is not lost on local shoppers.

“When you’re supporting local small businesses, 66 cents of every dollar spent local, stays local. That’s only 11 cents at a big multinational and only 9 cents at an online giant,” says CFIB Vice President, Ryan Mallough.

Despite last-minute shopping for many this weekend. There’s some seasonal magic in the air with everyone agreeing on one thing — “Next year, we’re shopping earlier.”

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