With just two and half shopping days left, traffic both on the roads and in the malls is hectic to say the least.
"We definitely sense that there's more people walking through our mall this year," said West Town Mall Manger David Huesser.
Huesser could not give an exact number, but gauge crowds on the parking lots and crowds inside.
The mad dash for last minute shoppers browsing and buying this year's Christmas gifts is a positive sign to Huesser.
Still, not everyone is getting caught up in the hustle and bustle. We met Alvin Dodson among the many folks camped out on benches at West Town Mall.
"I'm waiting on my wife," Dodson said.
He and his wife, Patty, drove an hour Friday to shop at the mall. She said they had to come back Saturday because she forgot one thing. On the bench again, he didn't believe that's the whole truth.
"By the time I find her or she finds me she'll probably have three or four packages," he said.
And he turned out to be correct. During the interview she came back with packages.
In 46 years of marriage-- Patty said he has proven more useful outside the store.
"He does kind of watch the pocket book. That' s why he's setting out here right now," she said.
Despite the waiting, Alvin admits he enjoys the experience.
"It's a lot of fun because I enjoy watching the people," he said. There's a lot of people to see, too.
The mall says it will stay that way until the doors close on Christmas Eve.
Both West Town and Knoxville Center malls have extended hours:
December 22: 7 a.m. - midnight
December 23: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
December 24: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.