Last-minute shoppers spend time in Bay Area malls on Christmas Eve
It's a winter wonderland at The Veranda in Concord as families are spending Christmas Eve on the ice skating rink and doing some last-minute shopping for the holidays.
Cars were beginning to pack the parking lot before noon on Tuesday.
"We're just doing last-minute holiday shopping," Alejandra Fernandez, a shopper, told CBS News Bay Area. "We're going to the movies, going to watch Sonic 3, check out Sephora sales, TJ Maxx and everything."
According to the National Retail Federation, officials predict holiday shopping sales will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% over last year. Experts add that this means there will be up to $989 billion in holiday spending during November and December nationwide.
At the Sephora store at The Veranda, customers were waiting in long checkout lines on Tuesday morning.
"Procrastination in getting my Christmas gifts," Denisha Verma, a shopper, said when asked what brought her out to the mall on Christmas Eve. "Wanting to spread love to my family by getting them something that makes them feel warm and cared for."
While some Bay Area families are leaving town for the holidays, others are just getting in, preparing for the festivities.
"Just doing a little bit of Christmas shopping. You know, got to look nice for Christmas Eve," Tarik Fahmy, a shopper, said. "Oh man, I've got my kiddo right there. I've been with my niece over there. Man, getting them together, getting all the shopping done in between, crazy."
The soggy weather hasn't stopped these East Bay residents from coming out and having a great time.
"Celebrate just a little bit of Christmas Eve with my family before we go down to Fresno for the weekend," Mark Alviar, who was with his family, told CBS News Bay Area.
"Merry Christmas everybody," Alviar's father said.
