Christmas Eve might seem like a relaxing day before the holiday festivities, but it’s a race against time for last-minute shoppers.

At Kings Plaza Shopping Center, hundreds of shoppers packed the mall to grab last-minute gifts. Holiday music filled the air, and stores were decked out in festive decor as customers dashed to check out.

“Some family is coming into town, so we just wanted some last-minute things to have under the tree,” one shopper said.

For some, the chaos of Christmas Eve shopping has become a yearly tradition.

“For me, it’s buying her clothes and cute things,” another shopper said. “She’s going to be feeding me through a store when I’m older, so I have to spoil her.”

Others, however, weren’t shopping for gifts but memories. One family brought their children to take photos with Santa before the holiday arrived.

Business owners at the mall say inventory runs low by Christmas Eve, but they try their best to help shoppers complete their lists just in time for Christmas morning.

Stores closed at 6 p.m. and will reopen Thursday.