CNBC reports 54% of consumers said they still had not finished their holiday shopping and were planning to wrap that up during this final week before Christmas, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

This Christmas Eve, a pandemic and snowy forecast did stop a steady stream of Mahoning Valley shoppers from hitting Eastwood Mall in Niles last minute. Some, there for tradition and others on a mission.

One shopper came from across and country and another searching for an engagement ring.

Shoppers said procrastination, tradition and their busy schedules are all reasons they did not let down, even this year. 

One Niles Native now lives in Calfornia but came back to see family and shop.

"I haven't been back here in Ohio for a good 15 some odd years," Jason Rogers said, "It's wintertime, it's Christmas, I wanted to come back to the Eastwood Mall."

Love was also in the air for one man on a mission to find the perfect ring and propose on Christmas Day. 


"I'm just trying to find a diamond ring for her, we've been together for two years now," Josh Davis of McDonald said, "I'm surprising her, she doesn't know about it. She's just the love of my joy."

Malls will be closed on Christmas,  but officials said they are expecting a lot of traffic the day after Christmas on Saturday, so they urge shoppers to be careful and follow COVID-19 safety precautions.