MARION - The race was on Sunday evening, as shoppers crowded the checkout lanes at Target for some late Christmas gift grabbing.

"I'm just trying to even up the count," Lisa Caliper said as she looked at an assortment of girl's Disney watches. "We have two kids and I have to make sure they have the same amount of gifts."

Caliper said her family traveled from the Belleville area to spend the holidays with family in Zeigler and Marion. She said the holiday rush was a time for her to relax and noted that Southern Illinois shopping is less hectic than in other places.

"You have to think about where I'm from," she laughed. "I usually have the kids but since we are with family ? I'm just kind of enjoying being out."

Haley Hunter, 10, of Herrin said she was not enjoying anything about the Christmas rush.

"I just like shopping calmly and not when a rush," she said. "I hate being in a rush."

Hunter said she got most of her Christmas presents early but had one more to buy.

Although Linda Stevens owns a large store in Marion, she waited in line to buy a couple of last-minute gift cards, as well.

"This is what I planned to do," she said. "I'm a grandma and I don't have the time or energy. I'd just as soon not be here."

Stevens laughed about how her store helps others get Christmas shopping out of the way but she still has to wait in line to finish her own.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com/351-5824