Last minute Christmas eve shoppers crowd stores before they close early in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- With Christmas just hours away, last-minute shoppers crowded stores across Fayetteville on Wednesday, racing against early closing times to finish their holiday lists.

At Cross Creek Mall, doors closed at 5 p.m., while the Target on Skibo Road extended holiday hours until 8 p.m. to accommodate the surge of late shoppers.

"I left my house at 11. Traffic was terrible," said Connor Hecker, who spent the afternoon visiting multiple stores. "Trying to knock out all my Christmas shopping today."

From big-box retailers like Target to local stores such as Marshalls, shoppers moved quickly through aisles filled with gift wrap, toys and stocking stuffers as the holiday deadline approached.

Joshua Lawry said he was searching for final gifts for his family. "I needed two more Christmas presents for our girls and Christmas presents for my in-laws," he said.

According to the National Retail Federation, holiday spending this year is expected to surpass $1 trillion, driven largely by consumers prioritizing gift-giving and in-store shopping during the final days before Christmas.

Kamaiya Scott said her cart was filled with last-minute essentials. "I got a bunch of stocking stuffers," she said. "Lip gloss, dolls, gift cards, candy, all the shebang. Hopefully, everybody likes it."

Hecker said his shopping included both practical and personal gifts. "I got wrapping paper. I got a Lego flower, and at a different store, I got some tools for a buddy of mine," he said.

Many shoppers said busy schedules and financial timing pushed their shopping to the last minute.

"I just got paid last Friday, and then I had a bunch of stuff going on during the week," Scott said. "I didn't have time to go shopping until today."

Lawry cited similar reasons. "Finances and work, really," he said.

For Hecker, unexpected car trouble added to the delay. "Lady Luck struck, and my car broke down," he said. "I got to spend three days fixing it."

Despite successfully checking off their lists, several shoppers said they plan to avoid the holiday rush next year.

"Absolutely not," Hecker said when asked if he would shop last-minute again. "It's going to be all online by the 20th of next year."

Scott encouraged others to plan ahead while keeping a positive attitude. "Go early as possible, set the alarms, don't oversleep," she said. "Just have joyful spirits. We're all last-minute shopping."