HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Last-minute shoppers packed Holyoke Mall on Wednesday for final Christmas gifts before the mall closed for the holiday. Western Mass News went on down to the mall after talking with shoppers completing their Christmas lists.

There are always those certain items some folks need to get in person. Right now, the mall is closed for the rest of the holiday, but plenty of people stopped by and got those last second gifts.

Twas’ the day before Christmas, and at the Holyoke Mall, shoppers rushed to get gifts, some big and some small. they wanted to finish before a certain someone comes down the chimney.

People of all ages walked around the indoor plaza to check off any final boxes on their list. Shoppers carried bags filled with clothes and toys. Our crews noticed something interesting during the morning hours: the mall was not that packed. For some folks, they came at the right time.

“I was like ‘let’s try to get it in early, so we could get out and get away from all of the traffic. So right now, so far, so good. We were able to run inside Pandora and run back out,” said Ayanna Davis, who was visiting the mall from East Windsor.

Ayanna Davis’ son, Anthony Woods, told Western Mass News he actually needed a lift from his mom because his car is temporarily out of service. Let’s just say he knows the right way to thank her, “she’s already taken care of. She’s good. She doesn’t have to worry about it. She’s good.”

Of course, one gift many kids love these days is video games. At Stateline Video Games, it has been a busy week, “this whole past weekend was extremely busy here at the mall. I would say today has been a little bit slower,” said Jennifer Bouley, the Chief Business Officer of Stateline Video Games.

Once the gifts are opened, if something’s not quite right, the store says not a problem, “we always do an extended warranty for the holidays. It’s completely included in the package, so we do an extended three-month warranty for everything. We stand behind everything we sell, and they can just come and return it and grab something else.”

Some shoppers, like Frank Piechota, was making sure he didn’t leave without getting something for a special someone, “I promised my wife a new pair of shoes for Christmas, and I am not going to guess her size and buy online. I don’t want to get in trouble.”

Makala Yarkin said she cannot wait for the holiday to arrive, “I just like giving. I don’t like receiving. So, I’m excited for everyone else to open up their gifts.”

If you wish to return or exchange any items stores advise calling about their policies. The mall is expected to fully reopen at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning.

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