How to survive the Xmas rush

‘‘About 4000 children are expected to visit Santa by Christmas Eve’’

By the time you read this it still isn’t too late to get your Christmas shopping done, relatively pain-free.

If you’ve ventured into the shops lately, you’ll know that things have become a whole lot busier in the run up to the big day but, if you’re a Porirua shopper still with plenty of gifts to buy, North City has issued some tips to get you through.

The mall’s busiest day is likely to be on December 23 during lunchtime, the management team have predicted and advise the best times to go shopping are first thing in the morning, around 4pm, or after 8pm.

If you haven’t told Santa your wish yet, there’s still time to pop along and see the big guy.

North City Centre Manager Holly Lynn said he had been a busy man so far and about 4000 children are expected to pay him a visit by Christmas Eve.

Nobody was too old to enjoy Santa’s presence and he had received letters from shoppers aged as young as one year through to 35 years, she said.

At the top of his request list this year are dolls, iPads, toys and the timeless favourite – lollies. There have been a few stand-out requests, including goats and piglets and ‘‘happiness for my family’’.

Santa has revealed 58 per cent of children said they had been very good, 33 per cent said they had been quite good, and 9 per cent confessed to having been a little bit naughty throughout the year.

Throughout December in the lead up to Christmas, there will be more than 360,000 EFTPOS transactions and nearly 30 hours of extra shopping time have been added to usual trading hours.

Additionally, in exchange for a gold coin donation, shoppers can have gifts of all shapes and sizes wrapped, with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Porirua.

This initiative raised more than $11,000 at North City last year, and across all the Kiwi Property centres in New Zealand, more than $100,000 was raised for local charities.

This year, it is predicted the giftwrap volunteers will wrap more than 5,500 presents at North City and are being joined by new Kiwis who have moved to Porirua City.

For those who love a spot of late night shopping, North City is open until midnight on December 21 with entertainment and giveaways.

It will be open until 10pm on the other nights in the lead up to Christmas.