San Francisco shoppers score last-minute holiday deals

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Time is running out this Christmas Eve to finish holiday shopping.

Last-minute shopping may be a tradition for some people and those who waited to find good deals and big discounts paid off.

READ MORE: Six ways you can give back this holiday season

A San Francisco fire truck played carols around Union Square perhaps to calm the nerves of last-minute holiday shoppers like Alex Hougland and her uncle.

Ruth McGautha just made it to the finish line and it's a jungle out there. "We just wanted to do the holiday spirit and be out in the crowd and just needed to get one present for one of my sons and that was it, so I've already done that," Ruth McAutha said.

Last minute shoppers may have the last laugh because they're discovering deals and discounts of up to 50 percent and up to even 75 percent off.

The annual Christmas Eve toy drive was in full swing outside Lefty O'Doul's, with new unwrapped toys that were donated to needy kids.

Amanda Lewis and Tim Immordino woudn't miss the chance to give. "You know it's the holidays, it's a chance to give," Lewis said.

The San Francisco Fire Department's annual toy giveaway made a lot of kids like Mariana Mongi pretty happy. She got a doll for Christmas and her mom was grateful to the firefighters. "It's very nice, I appreciate everything they're doing. It's very nice that they are doing it for the community and children," Lashawanda Mongi said.

Volunteers on San Francisco's Geary Street will continue to collect toy donations until 2 a.m. outside Lefty O'Doul's.