NATCHEZ &045; If you needed any confirmation that the Christmas shopping season had started, you needed to look no farther then the volume of cars in the Natchez Mall parking lot or the bustle of the crowd inside.

&uot;I looked outside this morning at five o’clock and saw people sitting outside in their cars,&uot; said JC Penny store manager, Terry Perkins.

Perkins said the department store opened at 5:30 a.m. and handed out snow globs until they ran out.

&uot;In the first 10 to 15 minutes we passed out over 200 snow globes. We have never opened up this early and been as busy this early as we have this year, and I have been with JC Penny for 27 years. It was wild here,&uot; he said.

Across the mall at McRae’s department store, sales associates reported a similar scene on the busiest shopping day of the year.

&uot;I would say the we have had a traffic day. It’s been crazy,&uot; Brenda Hicks said.

Some did take the occasional break from the stores to wait in line with their children to see Santa Claus in the center court or rest their feet as they sat on a bench to watch other shoppers.

&uot;We have been at this all day. McRae’s was crazy; we are tired,&uot; said Laura Riley.

Riley said she had traveled with her husband, who was hunting in the area, from Marksville, La., and decided to spend the day shopping.

&uot;I decided that instead of shopping in Louisiana, we would try Mississippi this year,&uot; she said.

Bruce Bell, owner of Gifts and Glass, located in the old Brothers Jewelers, said that his business was doing well, thanks to many local patrons who showed up not only the day after Thanksgiving, but all year long.

&uot;Business has been great because Natchez has supported me. The customers I have are always faithful. I’m a local guy and it pleases me when Natchez people support Natchez business. I always support local businesses myself,&uot; he said.

Bookland general manager, Renee Henderson, said business was good at her store on Friday, as well, and things will continue to pick up from now until Christmas.

Although she didn’t mind the hard work, she was thankful that she was in the Natchez Mall as opposed to somewhere else that she would rather not be on this day.

&uot;We were really busy. I have heard that Wal-Mart was really crazy. I’m glad I’m not there,&uot; she said.