By Rungano Dzikira

The Christmas festive mood has already gripped the nation judging from the crowds which throng Harare town for last minute shopping ahead of Christmas tomorrow.

A snap survey in Harare’s central business district revealed that people were busy making their last-minute shopping ahead of Christmas Day this Tuesday.

Speaking to Tambudzai Chipanje, one of the many shoppers who clogged the streets of Harare, moving in and out of shops as they picked up groceries and clothing items said she would make this year’s festive season memorable.

“Unlike the previous year, we have every reason to celebrate this Christmas because most of us (civil servants and most from the private sector) got our salaries well in time as well as the bonuses.

“I am just finishing off shopping perishable groceries since most shops will be probably closed over this whole period, otherwise I already bought my kids dresses sometime last week,” she said.

Retailers on the other hand have also joined in the celebratory mood attempting to lure customers with Christmas decorations, while Christmas lights are a regular sight in the capital at different out of town joints (Westgate complex, Sammy Levi – Borrowdale.)

Likewise hotels and entertainment joints are reported to be fully booked especially in the capital, with Morgan Heritage group performance in the capital at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) this past weekend having sparked the city’s festive mood.

The mood has changed from the usually weary faces as citizens are now “feeling it” amid great expectations of a prosperous and better New Year under the new dispensation.