EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – While Santa’s sleigh may be filled with gifts for boys and girls, last-minute shoppers are out in full force at the Eastland Mall, making sure they have got everything crossed off their lists (and checking them twice).

Whether folks are shopping for toys, clothes, or any type of gift for their loved ones this Christmas, mall officials say that stores are well-prepared for any and all last-minute shoppers.

“Our stores have done really well getting product in, having the sales to promote and so forth. Any time we have the opportunity to serve customers, that is what the (Eastland) mall is all about. We have just had a great holiday season like we do every year,” said Sean Ferguson, Marketing Director for the Eastland Mall.

Grace Lensing and Jacob Lensing are two Evansville residents who consider themselves regular, last-minute shoppers.

“We are shopping for pretty much everyone in our family,” said Grace Lensing.

“We have got to buy for our Mom, Dad, two sisters, a brother and a sister-in-law,” said Jacob Lensing.

Some advice the Lensing siblings gave to their fellow shoppers was to come in with a game plan rather than walking around aimlessly.

“We came in looking for nothing, and we ended up with only one sister’s gift. Definitely look at the shops and know what you are looking for before you come in,” said Jacob.

Sean Ferguson said shoppers like the Lensing siblings are the reason the Eastland Mall is open on Christmas Eve in the first place. He said stores thrive on the business of last-minute shoppers.

”We have got last-minute shoppers, which we love. We need those guys every year. That is why the mall is here, that is why we are open,” said Ferguson.

However, for many families, a last-minute shopping trip to Eastland Mall on Christmas Eve is not complete without a visit to the North Pole to see Father Christmas himself.

“It has been sort of a family tradition since she was born to go see Santa on Christmas Eve. We have always come to Eastland Mall to get our photo taken,” said Corey Nichols, who is in from Virginia visiting family.

For 10-year-old Amelia Nichols, Christmas is about more than presents or taking a photo with Kris Kringle himself.

“It is about seeing family and seeing everybody’s happy faces on Christmas morning. I just have this feeling that makes me so happy inside,” said Amelia.

According to the National Retail Federation, we can expect record consumer spending totaling just over $900 on average. Around $600 is expected to be spent on gifts, and nearly $300 is expected to be spent on things like decorations and food.

That is about $25 more per person than last year.

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