Last minute Christmas shoppers crowd the Tippecanoe Mall

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It was the last minute of the last minute shoppers at the Tippecanoe Mall at 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Even with a half hour until closing time shoppers crowded the Lafayette mall.

Customers and store managers said the great thing about shopping on Christmas Eve is that you don't have to be up at a certain time for door buster deals.

However, there were still many deals for last minute shoppers. Many stores had different sales going from Black Friday until the end of the holidays. Shoppers said this made their season more relaxing knowing they could go shopping whenever they want.

Managers said they usually see men at the mall on Christmas Eve. They add last minute shoppers are usually more laid back and nice to deal with.

"Unlike the beginning of the season, when you have customers a little on edge, [last-minute shoppers] are bit more easy going and more joyful," JCPenney Operations Manager Ryan Nolan said.

"It's been great," last-minute shopper Cody Reimer said. "I was expecting it to be a press of bodies. It's been pretty easy going."

"It's friendly here at the Tippecanoe Mall," last-minute shopper Schuyler Chiszar said.

The mall will reopen the day after Christmas with its holiday hours. It will open at 8 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

Managers said some of the best deals happen the day after Christmas.