As Christmas nears, stores across Triangle packed with procrastinators

With just three days left until Christmas, stores around the Triangle were packed with procrastinators on Friday.

"We are just tying up some loose ends," said Felder Shackleford. "We are not about to be in this commotion very long."

"That's the story of my life," said Richie Holt. "I am just a procrastinator. I am just a last-minute type of guy."

Holt is far from alone.

Michael Gray works at Uniquities in Cameron Village. He said he's received phone calls and customers dropping in all day looking for last-minute ideas.

"We all have kind of a list of our top five that we like to give out as different giftables for different age groups," he said.

For those who still need to get shopping done, that is welcome news.

"Utilize the employees in the stores," Gray said. "They know what they are selling. They know what people like."

Gift cards also provide an easy, last-minute option.

"There's definitely some urgency with our customers, but we are doing a lot of things to make sure they can get what they need," said Tony Devereaux, a manager at Walmart. "We have some additional people on the floor. We are making sure registers are open and ready for them."

Many stores will continue to have extended holiday hours until Christmas Eve, but that is only two days away.