Shoppers grab last-minute gifts before Christmas

CHERRY HILL, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Pandemic or not, last-minute shoppers were out in full force this Christmas Eve.

You can't leave it all up to Dasher, Dancer and Prancer, some had to put the work in to get those gifts right before Christmas.

"The roads are packed with cars, there are lines everywhere. It's to be expected, it's great," says Minerva Crecelius who was shopping in Cherry Hill, New Jersey Thursday evening.

While Minerva is basking in the hustle and bustle, Manny Carmona was stuck in his ways and now stuck in a line outside Best Buy.

"It's part of my personality, and it always has been, so I'm constantly late," said Carmona of Pennsauken.

Despite the frenzy, some were still full of that holiday cheer.

In Philadelphia, Tasha Simmons made the journey to Target to buy a gift for her 2-year-old nephew.

"A lot of people not as fortunate so, and then you know a lot of people work so," said Simmons.

Beth Glennon of Haddonfield braved the crowds to get some last-minute dinner items.

"Really crowded, lots of the things were missing from the shelves, but Wegmans employees are in there filling the shelves as quick as they can," she said.

Some shoppers at stores said they waited until the last second on purpose to help with social distancing.

"We were definitely worried that it was going to be crowded, just to be safe with COVID," said Jillian Axelrod of Ambler.