Still searching for that perfect gift? You're not alone

YOUNGSTOWN

There’s something special about going in search of the perfect gift, finding it and wrapping it.

Then, watching as someone opens the gift surrounded by holiday decor and frosted window panes.

It can warm one’s soul.

Shopping, to some, has to be a part of the holiday festivities.

To others, the shopping experience is one they can do without.

Nonetheless, retailers are busy – and they like it.

“The traffic has been very strong ever since Black Friday,” said Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for Cafaro Co., which owns the Eastwood Mall Complex in Niles.

Black Friday and the week leading up to Christmas are the busy times of year for retailers.

During Thanksgiving weekend, the National Retail Federation found that more than 151 million people shopped in stores or online. NRF’s survey found those under 35 shopped that weekend. Clothes, toys, books, DVDs and consumer electronics were the top-selling items.

Another NRF survey found that just 10 percent of shoppers, or 22.6 million, are done shopping.

Many are still in search of the perfect gift.

At Tom Gober’s Gracylane stores in both Eastwood Mall and Southern Park Mall in Boardman, the perfect gift for his customers is the Alex and Ani bracelet.

Read more about this season's trends in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.