Customers tapped their debit and credit cards as lines moved fast and steady on Christmas Eve in BC Liquor and private stores on their way to holiday socials.
“Christmas Eve is undeniably one of the busiest days of the year for BC Liquor Stores, if not the busiest,” said Viviana Zanocco, manager of communications for BC Liquor Distribution Branch. “It runs neck and neck with the Saturday before Christmas for the shopping day with the highest number of customers through our front doors.”
Did you know that today's #NationalEggNogDay? We close at 7 PM tonight, so be sure to stop by before then if you want to get your nog on! #AB #BC pic.twitter.com/4FQblqI27h
— Liquor Depot (@LiquorDepot) December 24, 2018
The other big day is New Year’s Eve, said Liquor Depot manager Nathan Wymore of the Saanich Plaza branch.
“It hasn’t been as busy today but it’s still up there as one of our busiest of the years, and it’s always fun having the two biggest days back to back in a week,” Wymore said.
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If this Christmas Eve is a bit slower than last year’s, it’s likely because the Saturday before Christmas is traditionally the other day people stock up for hosting holiday parties or purchase standalone gifts and hosting gifts – like a bottle of wine for the friend or family member whose home you’ll be visiting, Zanocco added.
“We’re on our way to a party, a Christmas get together,” said Andrew Jenkins, who picked up beer and wine.
Popular on Christmas Eve, a day driven by ‘drop in’ traffic, are gifts for their hosts or a last minute purchase of a nice bottle of Whiskey or scotch, Zanocco said. Cream liqueurs, to dress up coffee or drink on their own, are also more popular at this time of year, she said.
BC Liquor Stores have shortened business hours today and will re-open again on Boxing Day.