The never-ending search for the perfect gift and stocking stuffers had some shoppers scrambling on the weekend for the final touches to put under their Christmas tree.
While some Islanders finished Christmas shopping early, others had some last-minute purchases to make before Santa arrives Tuesday.
“Seeing as I left everything to the last minute, I’ve got a mountain to climb, but I brought my gear so I’m good to go,” said Emily Miller who was shopping at the Confederation Court Mall on Saturday.
Miller travelled to Charlottetown from Borden-Carleton in hopes of finding something special for the people on her Christmas list.
“I’m looking for a uniquely Island gift,” she said. “This is where I figured I would find it best.”
Stocking stuffers were the goal for Charlottetown resident Michael Lewis, who also browsed at the Confederation Court Mall.
Lewis found a selection of jams, seasonings and fancy hot chocolate to accompany the rest of his gifts.
Last-minute shopping wasn’t a stressful ordeal for Lewis, who bought most of his gifts early and knew what he was looking for at the mall.
“I know what I’m going for anyway so there’s not a lot of browsing around, just if something strikes my fancy,” he said.
Cynthia Dennis and her five-year-old daughter Zadie MacPhee of Charlottetown looked for the perfect gifts for Zadie’s nanny and aunt.
Dennis said she likes to leave Christmas shopping to the last minute.
“I do every year,” she said. “Last year I started way earlier and I just bought more stuff.”
Local businesses benefited from the influx of Christmas shoppers.
Pam Arora, owner of Pam and Joe Handcrafted Inc., said the week leading up to Christmas has been the busiest for her business since moving to its Confederation Court Mall location in May.
“Christmas is much busier than even the cruise ship tourist season,” she said. “That has made us very happy.”
Arora’s shop, which is co-owned by her husband Joe, sells jewelry the couple crafts from semi-precious stones, sterling silver, Swarovski crystals and more.
Many customers have come to the shop looking for specific jewelry items like crosses, animal shapes, music-themed items, and Christmas jewelry.
“It surprised us how many wonderful ideas we got from people coming in asking for different things,” said Arora. “That has given us amazing ideas on what to be prepared with next year. Our customers have taught us so much.”
Katherine.hunt@theguardian.pe.ca
