People have always said that the reason that I love the last minute rush and frenzy of Christmas Eve is that I have no skin in the game. However, this year since Hanukah and Christmas coincide, you can't accuse me of being just a casual observer.

This year I am also running around for last minute stuff compiling all my kids wish lists and trying to find that perfect thing that has been, so far, elusive. But there's something about the adrenaline rush, the camaraderie, and just the overall excitement of a last minute shopping spree in New Jersey.

That's why I almost always, always buy things on Christmas Eve. Just for the fun of it. I also enjoy the late Night shopping that's available for couple of days leading up to Christmas. It's sort of feels like a private sale when you're in the store at hours that it's usually closed. Sometimes you can be there up until midnight! . But there's nothing like the energy, the jostling, the buzz and happy mess of a last minute Christmas Eve shopping trip.

In the interest of keeping you busy up until the very last minute I'm posting a recently updated list of some national stores Christmas Eve hours. Just in case you still need that perfect gift, or maybe, like me, you just love the thrill.

Malls:

  • Cumberland Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Bridgewater Commons - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Burlington Center Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Cherry Hill Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • The Mills at Jersey Gardens - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Garden State Plaza - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Rockaway Townsquare - closes at 6 p.m.
  • The Mall at Short Hills - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Woodbridge Center - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Ocean County Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • The Phillipsburg Mall - closes at 5 p.m.
  • Willowbrook Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Freehold Raceway Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Quakerbridge Mall - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Menlo Park Mall - closes at 6 p.m.

Big box stores:

  • Kohl's - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Walmart - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Target - closes at 10 p.m.
  • JCPenney - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Big Lots - closes at 10 p.m.
  • Kmart - closes at 10 p.m.

Retail stores:

  • JCPenney - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Macy's - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Sears - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Old Navy - closes at 7 p.m.

Specialty stores:

  • Toys R Us - closes at 9 p.m.
  • Barnes & Noble - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Best Buy - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Lowe's - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Apple - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Dollar Tree - closes at 7 p.m.
  • REI - closes at 9 p.m.
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond - closes at 6 p.m.

Convenience stores:

  • Wawa - open 24/7
  • 7 Eleven - open 24/7
  • QuickChek - open regular business hours

Drug stores:

  • CVS - most stores are open for regular business hours.
  • Rite Aid - closes at 7 p.m.
  • Walgreens - most stores are open for regular business hours.

Grocery stores:

  • Stop and Shop - stores will close at 6 p.m.
  • ShopRite - most stores are open with varied hours of operation. Check your local location.
  • Trader Joe's - closes at 6 p.m.
  • Whole Foods - closes at 8 p.m.

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