Last-minute rush on for Christmas gifts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Last-minute shoppers, are you ready for what retailers are calling "Fantastic Friday?"

It is your very last chance to buy gifts before Christmas Day. Some retailers, like Toys “R” Us in Springfield have been open all night long and will not close until 10:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve.

With Christmas falling on Saturday this year, Friday is a holiday for most U.S. workers, so shoppers will be able to come bright and early and shop all day. Industry officials predict that holiday sales will reach $451.5 billion; up 3.3% from last year. Retailers say that Friday’s last-minute dash is capping the best holiday season since 2007.

Jewelry has been a top last-minute gift, and a strong category throughout the holiday season. You can never go wrong with a gift-card, either. Spending on the plastic vouchers is expected to reach $25 billion; a 5% increase from last year.

Online sales also did well this season. $36.4 billion were spent online, marking a 15% jump from last year.

You might have trouble finding that specific item you wanted in picked-over stores, however.

And here's another fun fact: holiday procrastinators are typically men, so retailers are expecting a lot of guys to be picking out presents Friday.