Countdown to Christmas is on

LIHUE — It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

With less than a week to Dec. 25, you can already sense the holiday energy in the air at Kukui Grove Center. Shoppers and business owners are feeling a bit overwhelmed but are still getting their errands done with a jolly spirit.

“This week has been bonkers. It’s pretty nuts around here,” said UPS Store employee Chrissy Callejo at Kukui Grove Center.

There was a long line at the UPS Store. Some people were shipping last-minute Christmas presents and others were there to check their mail.

“To see if I got my paycheck. If I got it, then I can start my Christmas shopping. I haven’t started yet. I’ll probably do my shopping online,” said Tiphany Boissiere.

One customer came in with 10 big boxes to be shipped to the mainland. The UPS Store staff remained cool and helped everyone with smiles.

While in line, Heide Soto said, “I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. I love coming here. The UPS Store packs everything for me. I get most of my shopping done at Ross and at Macy’s.”

The shopping center is gearing up for the final, frantic shopping weekend before Christmas.

Stores like Macy’s have a lot of gift ideas. For instance, you can schedule a one-hour make-up tutorial at the Macy’s cosmetics department. It costs $60, and participants learn how to apply make-up the right way. It’s a great gift for dancers, performers, and or just because.

“At first, at the beginning of this month, it has been a lull, but this week we are starting to see more customers come in,” Macy’s Manager Debbie Chuckas said. “It’s a bit overwhelming, but we are grateful.”

If you need some sweets to get your energy up, try the newly rolled ice cream at Kauai Partea.

“It takes five minutes to make,” said Kauai Partea’s ice cream artist Soweni Peleketi.

Kauai Partea employee Saebre Kaleiohi said, “I noticed a lot more customers come into the mall and into our store over the weekends.”

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Stephanie Shinno, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island