INDIANAPOLIS – The holiday shopping season is just getting underway and this weekend kicks off three of the biggest shopping days of the year including Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

“I am going to look online at what deals are available,” said Samantha Rigo Segalin, a local shopper.

“I have been looking a lot at electronics,” said Aidan Mcquillan, another holiday shopper. “I think that is where the best deals are at!”

“You gotta save money wherever you can so you can give back to the community,” said Bruce Miller and Sarah Lacey, a couple of local shoppers.

This year, the National Retail Federation predicts a record-breaking 183.4 million people will be holiday shopping between now and  Monday with online shopping being the top destination for people.

“I like Cyber Monday,” Mcquillan said. I think it makes it a lot easier to shop. You don’t have to go through all of the crowds.”

But still many others like the tradition of shopping in person.

“It’s very important for me to see the thing that I want to buy,” said Kate Piltz, another holiday shopper. “It’s special to see them and pick them out and I like to shop local.”

“I like to see, especially for clothing, things on site and maybe try them on,” Rigo Segalin said.

Whether that is on Black Friday or supporting your local communities on Small Business Saturday, in-person shopping is slowly making a comeback after the pandemic.

“Get out and meet people and say hello,” Piltz said. “That’s the spirit of Christmas and all of the holidays just talk to people not sit on your computer and pick gifts.”

“Small businesses are important, especially in Indiana we need to get out and support them,” Lacey said. “It’s good for our economy and it helps support families.”

And local shoppers have one last reminder for others as the holiday shopping season gets in full swing.

“Just be kind,” Piltz said. “All of the employees that are working. It’s very hard. If you can be kind to people, not just the employees but everyone around, that’s what the holidays are about; Happiness and kindness.”