Many area malls are seeing large crowds of last-minute shoppers as we approach the final hours before Christmas Day.
According to the National Retail Federation, about 7 percent of shoppers wait until the day before Christmas to buy their gifts. Spending has also increased by 4 percent this year, the National Retail Federation reports.
At some local shopping centers like the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, the size of the crowd seen on Christmas Eve are much the same as what is seen on Black Friday.
The South Shore Plaza is open until 6p.m.
Santa Claus is also around for a last-minute photo opportunity.
