Malls Jammed In Final Days Before Christmas
Posted December 21, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The malls will be crawling over the next 48 hours as Christmas shoppers cram in some last minute purchases before the big day.
There are only four days left until Christmas, and those headed to the shops should pack their patience as lineups will inevitably be long. Friday and Saturday are the biggest shopping days of the year.
Shoppers lost out on one of the biggest shopping days last weekend when a major snowstorm kept most people indoors. But a security official says those headed to the malls should be careful with their belongings and avoid putting down their bags.
“What we do recommend as a safety tip is don’t carry anything you can’t hold in your hand,” Sherway Gardens security manager Chris Eversley advises. “Ladies, when they do carry a purse, have a tendency to put the purse down beside them.”
It’s also important to protect your debit card number from anyone who might be spying. Shield the keypad with your hand or your body as you’re punching in the digits.
Meanwhile, a Visa study that came out this week suggested Canadians would be spending more than $1,000 on gifts in 2007, a 14 per cent increase over last year.
About two-thirds of the last minute shoppers are men, but they could benefit from their decision to delay. There are bargains everywhere, with deals of between 50 and 70 per cent off at some stores. A MasterCard study released earlier this week found that with a week left to go until Christmas 19 per cent of Canadians likely hadn’t started their holiday shopping and many wait until Christmas Eve to buy their presents.
“For 1 in 5 Canadian holiday shoppers, this week is crunch week,” said Julie Wilson, Director, Public Affairs, MasterCard Canada. “Because of their disorganized approach, these last-minute shoppers often go over budget and spend far too much time wandering around the malls on Christmas Eve rather than enjoying the holidays with friends and family.”
Tips for last minute shoppers (courtesy MasterCard):
- Make a plan of attack – Don’t arrive at the mall doors without a strategy. Decide in advance which stores you need to hit and in what order. And shop from a list that includes budget guidelines.
- Go early or late – Try to avoid the prime time shopping hours. Shop early in the morning just as stores open. The crowds are smaller and the salespeople are less stressed.
- Cluster – try to buy gifts for multiple recipients at the same store rather than running around to 10 different places. For example, buy books for everyone on the list.
- Travel light – Dress comfortably, and check your coat if you can.
- Keep track – Keep your receipts in one place and make notes on them to remember which gift is which. Keep the receipts until you get your credit card statement and can cross reference the charges and until you’ve confirmed that nothing has to be returned or exchanged.
- Let your fingers do the shopping – If you act fast, you may still be able to order online and get packages delivered in time for Christmas.
- But check the shipping deadlines on the web site before you start picking your items.
Holiday Hours At Major GTA Malls
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9am-10pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 9am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 10am-8pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 10am-8pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 11am-8pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-7pm
Friday: 10am-10pm
Saturday: 9:30am-10pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Christmas Eve: 9:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 9am-7pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 8:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 10am-6pm
Boxing Day: 9am-6pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Christmas Eve: 9:30am-6pm
Boxing Day: 8am-8pm
Friday: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 9:30am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Christmas Eve: 10am-6pm
Boxing Day: 9:30am-6pm
Friday: 9:30am-9pm
Saturday: 9:30am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm
Christmas Eve: 9:30-6pm
Boxing Day: 9am-6pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 9:30am-9:30pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm
Christmas Eve: 10am-6pm
Boxing Day: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Christmas Eve: 10am-6pm
Boxing Day: 10am-6pm
Friday: 9:30am-9pm
Saturday: 9:30am-6pm
Sunday: 11:30am-5pm
Christmas Eve: 7:30am-8pm
Boxing Day: 9am-8pm (some stores may stay closed)
Friday: 9:30am-9pm
Saturday: 8:30am-10pm
Sunday: 11am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 9am-6pm
Boxing Day: 9am-7pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am-10pm
Sunday: 11am-9pm
Christmas Eve: 11am-9pm
Christmas Day: 11am-9pm
Boxing Day: 11am-9pm
