As the sun set on Kukui Grove Shopping Center yesterday, plenty of Kauaians rushed to get their shopping done on the last weekend day of the Christmas shopping season. Mothers dragged children, while uncomfortable men sat near restaurants, sipping drinks
As the sun set on Kukui Grove Shopping Center yesterday, plenty of Kauaians rushed to get their shopping done on the last weekend day of the Christmas shopping season.
Mothers dragged children, while uncomfortable men sat near restaurants, sipping drinks and waiting, holding shopping bags for their significant others in stores down the row.
For some parents, this was their first chance to avoid the kids long enough to shop for them.
“It’s been pretty hectic,” said Sherri Ephan, a mother of four, who was waiting for her husband to pick up some gifts at Radio Shack. “This is our only chance to do it. With the weather, and (the kids) being sick,” Sunday was her and her husband’s only chance.
“Everywhere is busy,” she said, and “we’ve been here all day.”
Catherine Coronel was out with Lelia, her four-year-old, helping out Santa with a stop at K B Toys.
“We just bought a house this year,” said Coronel, as Leila tried to pull her mom towards Santa’s set-up in the middle of the mall. “So I’m trying to shop on a budget.”
But she said the lines didn’t faze her — Friday was much worse.
“This is real mellow,” she said of Sunday. “Friday was insane. My husband couldn’t have handled it.”
“Usually two to three weeks before (Christmas), I’m all done,” the mother of five said. “Next year, I’m shopping earlier.”
But, she said, at least Kukui Grove is improving.
“The mall is a lot more organized. It’s much easier now,” said Coronel. But “last year they had a train,” and Coronel could let Leila play while she gave Santa a hand.
But she was relieved as she made her way to the parking lot.
“I’m done. It’s done,” she said.
New parents Marlon Igaya and Glenda Tejada were carrying their daughter Morgan Joy, so they could use their stroller to lug presents to the next store.
It was their first Christmas with little Morgan, so the stroller was topped high.
“It’s been great,” said Igaya. “The crowds are good for the mall.”
Since it was the Igaya’s day off, the two were cramming in some serious shopping.
“We’re trying to do all the shopping today,” he said. I have to back to work tommorrow.”
As for what the new baby wanted for Christmas?
“Good health and lots of toys,” Tejada said.
Staff writer Tom Finnegan can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 226)
