The clock is ticking at Watertown's Salmon Run Mall, with just hours until the big day to get that big thing.
But wait a second, where is everybody?
"We would have anticipated a little bit more traffic, but it's still early and I think there will be more of a flow coming in, more customers coming in," said JC Penney supervisor Tammy Lobdell.
Management at JC Penney was right to think so. In years past, the store has been packed until closing time.
According to Consumer Reports, 25 percent of Christmas shoppers did not start their holiday shopping before the 18th.
But the store was nearly empty this Christmas Eve. Staff said it was because the holiday was on a Saturday, while others said it was the cold weather that was keeping customers away. It could be that everyone finished their shopping early.
Tammy Lobdell says she's not surprised by who was shopping Christmas Eve.
"A lot of men," she said. "A lot of men on the holiday looking for that special, sparkly gloves, or coats, or things like that. Yeah, usually men are our biggest last minute shoppers."
Case in point: Bob Schweitzer. He talked to to 7 News near something he was thinking about buying.
"I'm interested in that piece right there, but I don't want to say what it is because my wife may be watching," he said.
The only thing that matters is that he buys her something before the big day.
