Christmas Day is coming quickly. Last-minute shoppers are scrambling to get gifts by St. Nick's deadline.
"I do it early every year, but this is the year that I didn't do it early," says Lori Ruiz, who says she normally gets Christmas gifts six months in advance.
People showed up to Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield as early as 7:30 on Sunday morning to beat the rush.
"Actually right now it’s great, I got in and got right out,” says Ruiz, who bought a Forever 21 gift card. “The crowds aren't very bad, the lines are wonderful, and they're working really fast."
From toys to clothes, shoppers searched their favorite stores.
“I feel so relieved now,” says Nery Sandusky at the mall. “We got stuff for the kids, something for me, Victoria Secret.”
"We went to Forever 21 and then to Target,” says 12-year-old Matthew Sabin. “We got three gift cards for my cousins and a Lego set for my little cousin."
Some of the season's hottest items are going fast at the Target on Rosedale Highway.
“There are special toys that our guests are looking for that we are currently out of,” says Melanie Riley, executive of senior merchant at Target. “And it's a lot of the kitchen-make items for kids like the Easy Bake ovens."
Even though it can be slim pickings at the last minute, when it comes to shopping, some feel the best time is when you have less time.
"I think you need to keep an open mind because there are some great deals that are out there,” says Gigi Del Rosario with three bags in tow. “You know, the last-minute discounts you can get, but less sizes are available though, so that’s the only drawback.”
