MARQUETTE -- With less than 24 hours before Christmas, many last-minute shoppers made a mad dash for the stores on Christmas Eve.

At the Westwood Mall in Marquette, shoppers scoped out last minute deals on holiday gifts. Department stores like Kohl's had dozens of customers walk through the doors. The store offered up to 50 percent off on some of its merchandise. Mall employees even offered gift wrapping specials.

Some said it's a tradition to shop on Christmas Eve, and others said the deals are simply the best right before the big day.

"We were at Younkers and we were at Kohl's and we were at Penney's," said shopper Chris Gupta. "There's always last minute things; you feel you just have to get those last minute things and I did."

The mall closes at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Kohl's is open until 6 p.m. The mall will be closed on Christmas Day.