The official Christmas shopping season started earlier in the day than ever before this year. Stores opened before the turkey was in the oven, with Thanksgiving Day sales to make bargain hunters set aside the stuffing and brave the cold. Cashiers and clerks have endured long hours ever since. That ends Christmas Eve, when most shops put a stop to the all-nighters and midnight retail madness. But if you’ve waited until the last minute to search aisles for the perfect gift, some Gaston County stores are still waiting on you.
Today’s a busy day for gift certificate sales at Julie’s Boutique on Cox Road in Gaston Mall. “It fits everybody,” said store manager Mona West. “That way they can come pick out what they want and not have to worry about returns.”
It’s a busy day for the store. Husbands are out looking for last-minute gifts for their wives. They typically buy scarves, earrings, bracelets and necklaces to help Santa with stocking stuffers. West said men coming through the door on Christmas Eve have an unmistakable expression on their faces — like they’re on a mission.
“They have that look, so we know,” she said. “Definitely there’s enough (sales associates) there to help if they want a gift wrapped under the tree.” The store closes at 5 p.m. today. West said that’s when customers tend to start gathering with their families for Christmas Eve. “And it lets us be with our families,” she said.
Stores at Eastridge Mall are expected to be bustling with holiday shoppers today. General Manager Cris Bremner anticipates a busier than usual Christmas Eve for the retailers. She expects many of today’s shoppers will be men who waited to the last minute or bargain hunters waiting out the clock.
She said it can be a bit frantic for those who set out with much to do and little time in which to do it. Santa will be at Eastridge on Christmas Eve. Kids wanting to meet him will have to be in line by 5 p.m.
You can reach Wade Allen at 704-869-1828 or twitter.com/GazetteWade.
Need to buy a last-minute gift today? Here are the Christmas Eve hours for some stores in Gaston County:
Eastridge Mall: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Belk: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dillard’s: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sears: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
J.C. Penney Co.: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Target. 425 Cox Road, Gastonia. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Toys R Us. 2830 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. Open until 9 p.m.
Kohl’s. 3648 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. Open until 6 p.m.
Kmart. 3580 E. Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wal-Mart stores. Open until 8 p.m.
Plato’s Closet. 2020 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dick’s Sporting Goods. 415 Cox Road, Gastonia. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Essic Sport Shop. 1320 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Julie’s Boutique. 401 Cox Road, Suite 151, Gastonia. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Roses. 605 Park St., Belmont. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ross Dress for Less. 3016 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
T.J. Maxx. 415 Cox Road, Suite 120, Gastonia. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“What’s the latest you’ve waited to buy a Christmas gift?”
“Christmas Day!” -Dolores Glaze Pearson
“Christmas Eve” -Anne Phillips
“August” -Jessica Rosman
“Day before Christmas Eve” -Dana Lennea Foster Dees