Yuletide Rush: Malls Overflowing As Shoppers Grab Last-minute Deals

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Despite the popularity of online shopping platforms, malls were nevertheless crowded with locals and foreigners alike making last-minute preparations for Christmas tomorrow.

A Bernama survey here found that outlets selling decorations and other festive supplies were in demand, attracting crowds eager to take advantage of low prices.

Food vendor Alex Wang Hu, 35, said he makes last-minute purchases to get the best deals at several Christmas decoration shops.

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"I always choose to buy decorations or fresh items one or two days before the holiday because the prices are much cheaper. It's a good bargain. The atmosphere is also more festive and livelier," he told Bernama at a shopping mall here today.

Echoing his sentiment, bank employee Gabriel Monti, 38, said she and her husband often purchase supplies and gifts at the last minute before they return to their hometown in Melaka because of the affordable prices.

"Today, my husband and I are shopping for gifts and decorations to take back to our hometown this evening. Various offers are available, so I prefer to shop at the last minute," she said.

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Meanwhile, financial officer Tim Burton, 63, and his wife, Yuka Burton, 61, will celebrate Christmas in Malaysia instead of their hometown in Texas, the United States, for the first time this year.

"Not much difference in terms of last-minute Christmas preparations. (Compared here) It's very different from my hometown because it's very cold there. Usually, Texas doesn't get rain this time. One of the Christmas traditions in Texas is to eat tamales, a Mexican dish.

"We are here without family, so Christmas feels a bit different. We're just listening to Christmas music. We'll be at home, preparing a traditional Christmas dinner such as ham, roasted chicken, and potatoes," he said.

Meanwhile, some parents also took advantage of the Christmas and school holidays to shop and visit tourist attractions in the federal capital.

Muhammad Firdaus Saidi, 42, said he, his wife, and their two children often spent the holidays visiting new and interesting places.

"Usually, we don't return to our hometown during the Christmas holidays to avoid traffic congestion. Instead, we use this time to explore attractions like Sunway Lagoon since we've been busy with work.

"Today, we took our children to ride the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) service because they've never experienced it before," he said.

In JOHOR BAHRU, a Bernama survey at a shopping mall found visitors from various walks of life, including foreign tourists, seizing the opportunity to prepare for the festivities with their families.

A restaurant owner who only wished to be known as Lai, 42, said although preparations had been made as early as November, he did not miss the chance to take his wife and children to the mall for any additional items they might need.

"I've already bought clothes for my children and wife long ago, but if there's anything extra needed, I'll get it during the year-end sales. Usually, tonight (Christmas Eve), my family and I will go to church," he told Bernama.

Shop manager Cynthia Tan, 38, said that although she worked during the holiday, it did not stop her from enjoying the special day.

"This year is much more festive than last year. We can see people from all walks of life coming to take pictures, and the joy on the faces of visitors, especially families with young children, is truly heartwarming.

"In terms of my preparations, I’ve already bought all my clothes since I'll be working tomorrow. For tomorrow, what I'll do with my friends is a gift exchange activity."

She added that the gift exchange tradition is also carried out with her family members to appreciate and respect each other, even though not all family members celebrate Christmas.

Several malls in GEORGE TOWN, along with others in the state, such as Sunway Carnival Mall in Seberang Jaya and Design Village Outlet Mall in Batu Kawan, have become popular spots for the public, particularly Christians, to make last-minute Christmas preparations.

A visitor, Alexander Tan, 34, said he returned to his mother's house in Butterworth to celebrate Christmas and to shop for clothes and food. 

"I bought Christmas gifts for my family in Singapore because I work there, and today I came to get a few more last-minute items. I see a lot of people at Sunway Carnival, and the Christmas celebration here feels lively," said Tan, who works as an engineer.

Another visitor, Latisha Gevariel, 25, said she had to shop at the last minute because her holiday only started today. However, she had already purchased cooking ingredients over the past weekend.

"Even though I had to shop at the last minute, everything I wanted was still available. Today, I bought some gifts for my family and clothes to wear to church tomorrow," she said.

-- BERNAMA