U.S. & World

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The airports are experiencing one of the busiest days of the year Saturday, but they are hardly the only places jammed this weekend.

CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago's Rafael Romo reports malls and retail outlets across the area are filled with people looking for last-minute gifts.

The kids most likely told Santa what they want for Christmas several days ago, so last-minute shopping is all that remains on many people's agendas - and not just procrastinators.

Many shoppers say they were waiting for the last-minute specials.

"Just the usual - I was just kind of trying to get everything in, in the short amount of time that you have to squeeze it in and waiting for the sales, I guess," said shopper Lisa Guarnieri.

With extended hours at many stores, and retailers offering deeper discounts, many shoppers will embrace the last shopping days before Christmas with joy, in spite of the crowds expected over the weekend.

"There's plenty of time; no worries," said shopper Heather Bachman. "I've had lots of luck, but I don't have a lot of people to buy for."

Online shopping has increased by 19 percent over the last holiday season. By one estimate, consumers had spent $25 billion in purchases over the Internet in the first 48 days of shopping starting November 1.

Yet, as of this morning, 17 percent of all consumers in this country had yet to begin their Christmas shopping. Retailers call this super Saturday. It is easily one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The National Retail Federation estimates that more than 35 million Americans - mostly men - have not started their holiday shopping yet.

"Sometimes this is how it happens - last minute," said shopper John Babbitt.

Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill. was dealing with a rush of people early, and Target stores across the Chicago area extended their hours to accommodate last-minute shoppers.

"People stress over the holidays way too much," Bachman said.

Retailers call this super Saturday. It is easily one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The National Retail Federation estimates that more than 35 million Americans - mostly men - have not started their holiday shopping yet. "Sometimes this is how it happens - last minute," said shopper John Babbitt.

This year, it wasn't just shoppers who were stressed. The mortgage crisis and rising oil prices have worried retailers for the last two months, too.

"My family has been blessed this year so we've done okay, but I'm sure with the housing the way it is there's probably a lot that are probably holding back," said shopper Valerie Cherry.

But the crowds may give retailers a good reason to celebrate this Christmas.

"Crowds are really, really busy; lines are really bad, but thank goodness that we're done with our shopping because I couldn't imagine doing it right now," said shopper Ryan Moore.

K-Mart stores are taking extra steps to accommodate last-minute shoppers. They are staying open for a 64-hour sale, from 6 a.m. Saturday until 10 p.m. Monday, Christmas Eve. 1,000 of the 1,387 K-Mart stores nationwide are participating.

But this time of year is not just about getting gifts, for some shoppers it's about the tradition.

On the weekend before Christmas, State Street in Chicago is bustling with shoppers and tourists. For many, this is the place to be this time of year.

"This is a family tradition," said shopper Jody Hermes. "We come down every year in December, just before Christmas, to come look at the windows and then usually head over to the market, the international market, and then usually have lunch and then head home."

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