Arkansans embrace last-minute Christmas shopping frenzy

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — With Christmas just days away, Arkansans are flocking to stores to do some last-minute shopping, and prepare for parties and/or family gatherings.

The National Retail Federation projected over 150 million shoppers would be out across the U.S. this weekend, making it no surprise that stores are bustling as Christmas week approaches.

Emanuel Pricop, a shopper, said, “This morning I woke up and I need to go get some presents for my family.” He gave kudos to everyone who actually gets out and does it regardless.

Another shopper, who admitted to procrastinating every year, said “Very, very last-minute Christmas shopping.”

Despite the rush, some shoppers find joy in the hustle and bustle. “I think it’s just the thrill. Walking around, looking at a bunch of people… looking at the lines, having reactions to a bunch of things. It’s just a good experience overall,” said Pricop. He added that it gives him time to think about gifts for family and loved ones.

However, the downside of last-minute shopping is evident in the long lines. One shopper noted, “Like, you could barely move around in there. Everything’s pretty, pretty busy right now.”

Pricop shared that the chaos can have its benefits. “You just get to talk to people. Like I said when you see those lines, you can, oh, that’s a long line or something, but you can have a second opinion about something you get for a certain family member or whatnot.”

“I feel like, I like, don’t overthink it as much, because usually with shopping, I kind of overthink stuff. And I’m like, Oh, I don’t know if they’re gonna like that, but then whenever it’s last minute, it’s like, I just got to get them something. So I don’t overthink it as much, and they usually end up liking whatever I get,” the other shopper added.

Through the ups and downs, last minute shopping admittedly put a lot of people in the Holiday spirit as opposed to doing online shopping or getting it done extremely early.