Countdown to Christmas

EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL

A sea of shoppers rush to purchase last minute Christmas gifts in New York city.

As the hours count down, Americans remember-- nothing says holiday cheer like ploughing in to a frenzy of equally stressed-out people.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AL DEKIN, LAST MINUTE SHOPPER, SAYING:

"We've got three boys and a wife to finish shopping for and my in-laws coming, so it's going to be a tense last couple of days I'm sure."

But if crowds aren't your thing, there's always the internet.

The downside to online shopping of course--harsh winter weather that might prevent your shipments from arriving on time.

Who really wants a white Christmas anyway?

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLDPORT OPERATIONS MANAGER, AMY SITTERLY, SAYING:

"It's unfortunate that we could possibly see weather and i think the way the meteorologists are saying, it's coming."

For some people, though, there are more important things than whether or not your quirky gift for the in-laws arrives on time. A simple hug from loved ones is probably the best gift a soldier returning from a war zone could ever wish for.