Santa’s Little Helpers Busy Till Last Minute

Better late than never.

That was the Christmas Eve mantra from crowds of last-minute holiday gift givers in Orange County scrambling to send off packages, hunting for wrapping paper, slapping stamps onto decorative envelopes and praying for one last Furby on the shelves.

From post offices to shopping malls, procrastinators clogged the aisles and parking lots in final efforts to finish up their elf-like duties.

“I just started shopping for my son today,” admitted Carla Harrison at the Costa Mesa Toys “R” Us store, her shopping cart stuffed with Hot Wheels cars and tracks for the 4-year-old boy. “It’s also because I got paid today.”

And while some shelves were already bare, particularly of Beanie Babies and other trendy toys, harried shoppers quickly moved on to second choices, snapping up Barbie dolls, board games and yo-yos with abandon.

Janice Royal was splurging on her 10-month-old daughter because this is the toddler’s first Christmas.

“Yes, we’re going overboard,” the Huntington Beach mother acknowledged as she gazed at her cart-full of electronic, pop-up and instructive toys and gadgets. A working mother who travels frequently, Royal said Thursday was her first chance to take her time shopping for the little one.

For Yorba Linda resident Sam Calavitta, a $200 budget is adequate for his five children. Self-described as not a procrastinator, Calavitta also confessed that Thursday was not the first year he started shopping at the last minute.

“OK, there was one other year that I shopped on Christmas Eve,” he admitted.

For retailers, the eleventh-hour rush can be a nightmare. Toys “R” Us manager William Gleason recalled patrons pounding on their doors after the store had closed at 8 p.m. last year. Patience and a calm demeanor are mandatory for his staff, particularly during the last several days before the holiday.

“People are in such a hurry sometimes that they don’t know what they want,” Gleason said.

At the post office, priority mail was, well, a priority for some Orange County residents sending off holiday cards and presents.

One woman asked not to be identified because she was too embarrassed to publicize that she had just mailed out a boxful of Christmas cards.

“At this point, maybe I should have sent out New Year’s cards instead,” she said.

Huntington Beach resident Connie Jacobson overnighted a shimmering green package to her uncle in Oregon. Although there won’t be any postal service on Christmas Day, the present will be delivered the following day.

“It’s going to be a day late, but at least he’ll get it,” Jacobson said.