You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.

Late shoppers coping with the rush as Christmas quickly approaches

By Lisa Carolin

122212_last-minute_Christma.JPG

Shoppers on Main Street in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Three days and counting until Christmas, and shoppers are out in force. Though the lines were moving right along at Target on Ann Arbor-Saline Road, they extended 20 shoppers deep.

Matt Schimmel of Pinckney was loading up on toys for his godson.

"I am definitely a last-minute shopper," said Schimmel. "I do most of my shopping online at Amazon.com, but it's too late for that. I'll most likely take the easy way out for my other gifts and get gift cards."

Abe and Ian Rosentreter, brothers from Ann Arbor, are both admittedly chronic last-minute shoppers and were pushing a full cart around Target.

"We work a lot, and we're procrastinators," said Abe Rosentreter.

"We hate shopping, but we have to get gifts for our mom, sister, girlfriends and nieces," said Ian Rosentreter.

They say they enjoy crowd watching.

In the crowd was Amanda Reznick of Ann Arbor, who has been shopping through November and December for Christmas presents. Today's haul included stuffed animals. As she pondered what else she still needs to buy, she said, "There's still Monday!"

Janet Tucker just needed one more gift for her granddaughter.

"There are better sales today than I expected, but you don't find everything you want when you shop this late," she said.

Kristin Hoffman-Peavler from Saline knew exactly what she wanted-two white elephant gifts for a Christmas party today.

"I found this giant nutcracker that is ugly as sin and some ugly knee-high Christmas socks with fur on top," Hoffman-Peavler boasted.

Inside Nickels Arcade off State Street in downtown Ann Arbor, Kim and Joel Behrman of Maumee, Ohio were toting shopping bags.

"We came to Ann Arbor for the kinds of things we can't find where we're from," said Kim Behrman.

"We're able to get unique presents for our daughters here," said Joel Behrman.

Dan Powell and his 8-year-old son, Duncan, live in Ann Arbor and chose to shop today for socks and chocolates for the women in their family.

Karl Ivins, an avid Michigan Wolverines football fan, drove two-and-a-half hours from Bristol, Indiana to load up on Michigan sports apparel for his family at the M Den.

Alana and Emily Assenmacher came from Novi and Canton respectively to shop for their brother.

"He is a big Michigan fan," said Emily Assenmacher, while sister Alana, a student at Michigan State, endured their maize and blue surroundings.

122212_last-minute_Christma-1.JPG

Shoppers look in the window of Elmo's Main Street T Shirts in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Kim Hurt of South Lyon and Catherine Stadnicar of Farmington Hills were enjoying browsing at Cherry Republic on Main Street.

"We like all the Michigan-oriented stuff in Ann Arbor," said Hurt.

"We're finding a lot of stocking stuffers today," said Stadnicar.

"We're also looking for personal gifts today because those are harder to find," said Hurt.

Pam Horvath of Chelsea made her final shopping stop of the season at Cherry Republic.

"I'm not a shopper and buy almost everything online, but I know about this store and am picking up my final gifts for my sisters," said Horvath.

Her mom, Alma Horvath, who is visiting from Ormond Beach, Florida, was tagging along but not doing any serious shopping.

"My gift to my family is my checkbook," she said. "That's the easiest, and that's what my kids like best."

Comments

James

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.

Reduced to mocking the way someone is dressed. Rock on, Ann Arbor.com commentors.

G-Man

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.

Hopefully the dude in the first photo will get some new clothes for Christmas.......

smacks

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

Haters out in force on aa.com this morning.

James

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.

I'm white, angry and inarticulate...Whaaaaaaa!!!!

Tom Todd

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.

Another retail holiday.

LXIX

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.

Latte shoppers do get a little rush. Coping with caffeine, however, is traditionally an important part of the coffee sipping experience.

15crown00

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.

have no sympathy at all for you last minute shoppers.you deserve to wait in lines stretching 25 miles in all directions.

James

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.

Yeah! Wow, so glad my anger toward last minute shoppers has been articulated. Let's make it 50 miles.

Wolf's Bane

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.

Shoppers? They look like a young homeless couple to me.

music to my ear

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.

wow 4 people what a rush that sidewalk looks busy (hee hee)

treetowncartel

Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 2:01 a.m.

The coach outlet was making big money today. The line was 40 plus or so when I was there

nickcarraweigh

Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.

The guy in the top picture probably just needs batterie for his outfit, which looks a little muted.

say it plain

Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.

money money money money...money.