Last-minute Christmas shoppers in the Miss-Lou were out in full force at Natchez stores Saturday.

Just ask Mary Lee Wilson, who sat down to a cold lunch.

&uot;We ordered lunch at 11 this morning and we’re just now sitting down to eat it – that’s how busy it’s been,&uot;&160;said Wilson, owner of One of a Kind Gifts in downtown Natchez.

&uot;We tend to be a last-minute store, and it’s extremely busy today,&uot; said Mary Flach, manager of McRae’s.

Cheryl Clark and her grandmother, Roxie Clark, were loaded down with packages from various stores as they exited Natchez Mall Saturday afternoon.

&uot;We got clothes and stuff for her grandkids,&uot; said Cheryl Clark of Natchez. &uot;And I’m going to have to come back to the mall for more stuff later on today.&uot;

&uot;I’ve got almost all of my Christmas now, except I’ve got to go by Wal-Mart for a few things,&uot;&160;Cecilia Foreman of Woodville said outside the mall. &uot;I know it’s going to be crowded.

&uot;I don’t ever wait until the last minute to go shopping, but this year’s been busy.&uot;

Items that were selling out fastest varied greatly from store to store.

At McRae’s, it ranged from novelty items like lava lamp-like bubble lights to George Foreman grills, leather coats, feather beds and fragrances.

Candles, jewelry and toys took center stage at One of a Kind, while J.C. Penney saw shoes, jewelry and sleepwear sell quickly.

&uot;Traditional items like that usually sell late,&uot;&160;said J.C. Penney Manager Terry Perkins. &uot;We didn’t start out busy today, but now you can’t shake a stick between them.

&uot;But then again, they have no more time to wait – they’ve got to do their shopping now,&uot; he added.

Candles were a big seller at Diane’s Frame Shop Saturday, and customers were also bringing in items to be framed as late as that afternoon.

&uot;Our whole October through December has been great this year, but people are still bringing in stuff today to be framed for Christmas,&uot; said Owner Diane Kirby.

&uot;It’s been wonderful – I have no complaints.&uot;