BOISE - David Dust and his daughter Brooke may have saved the best Christmas gifts for last. Luckily for them, Dust says they aren't having much trouble filling their shopping bags today.

"We still have a few places to go, but so far we've been pretty lucky," Dust said.

But thousands of other last minute shoppers were circling the Boise Town Square Mall like hawks, creating traffic jams all afternoon.

A survey from the National Retail Federation found the average person completed only 47 percent of their shopping by the second week of December.

Experts say shoppers are waiting this season, more than they have in the last five years. But for many, it's not procrastination, but a way to save money.

And in some states like New York City, kids may be waiting for after Christmas deals to get their presents.

But if you want to have everything wrapped and ready to go by Dec. 25, local retailers are working to help you out.

Wal-Mart supervisors say they're still getting shipments in and are stocked with Flip Video cameras, $8.00 Zhu-Zhu pets and will match other stores' ads.

Boise's Best Buy says they may be out of Rockband and Super Mario for the Wii, but you can still order other items online by 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and pick them up in the store before it closes at 5 p.m.

For Dust and his daughter, the crowds may have taught them a lesson, they won't forget next Christmas.

"I think next year I'll start a little earlier," he said.

CNN Money experts say the biggest discounts may be seen at department stores like Macy's, Dillards and JC Penney. And if you're really in a pinch, most Walgreens locations have extended their hours on Christmas eve.