With Christmas just days away, malls are packed, shopping bags are full and the last-minute crowd is back.
"There are long lines," Phil Mastro, a shopper at Burlington Mall, said.
Some shoppers, though, were full of optimism.
"By noon today, we're going to have everything we need," Jim Patalano said.
Others regretted waiting until the last minute.
"Started today, yeah. Awful, awful decision," Mastro said. "It's crazy, but I'm trying to get all of my shopping done."
Mastro says this is actually early for him. He usually waits until the day before Christmas to do his shopping.
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Joan Bero found something to make her happy.
"We found parking and people are very friendly," she said.
She also says that the shopping puts her in the holiday spirit.
Burlington Mall says the Saturday before Christmas is usually the busiest shopping day of the year.
NBC10 Boston found thousands of people hoping to check everyone off their list.
Bero, for one, discovered the convenience of plastic.
"I'm finding gift cards may be the better way to go," she said.
Burlington Mall will stay open until 11 p.m. this weekend, and until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
