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Doing Last-Minute Shopping? You're Not Alone

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TBO.com

Published: December 24, 2008

From malls to discount stores, procrastinating holiday shoppers are everywhere today, trying to find those last-minute presents.

Shopper Darlene Elliote says this year a tight budget caused her to fall behind on her shopping.

"I've never had that experience of being so last minute with things, it's working out though, don't know if I'd recommend it," Elliote said as she was shopping at Bealls in South Tampa's Britton Plaza.

Elliote said she managed to get some no-nonsense presents before the stores closed early on this Christmas Eve, like the gift she got for her son-in-law.

"I'm getting him socks, because most years he just asks for practical things," Elliote said.

Some choose pharmacies for their last-minute Christmas shopping sprees.

At a 24-hour Walgreens on Platt Street in downtown Tampa, store manager Andrew Smith says people are buying everything from toys to makeup and perfume to exercise equipment and gifts for their four-legged pals.

The Pedi Paws, a gizmo that trims the canine's toenails, has been a hot seller lately.

"It's a lot easier and supposed to be a lot better for the dogs," Smith said.

Still got shopping to do? Here are some places still open:

*Wal-Mart, 1505 Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, will be open until 7 p.m. today.

*Walgreens at 315 W. Platt in Tampa is open 24 hours, and the CVS at 611 S. Howard Ave. will also be open on Christmas Day.

Of course, online shopping will continue regardless of store hours. So far this year, Internet sales have been down about 1 percent.

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