NORMAL - Shoppers flocked to Twin City stores Saturday to wrap up Christmas shopping, but several said they were buying gifts for fewer people this year than last year.

Jessica Bishop of Lincoln, who shopped with friend Melissa Plut of Atlanta for slippers, said she found herself both spending less money this year and "not buying for as many people." But she said she found bargains "pretty well" on clothes at various stores in Eastland Mall in Bloomington, where some clothing items were priced at half off.

Adam Rader of Normal said he has also found good deals on clothes at Target and stores such as TJ Maxx. Rader shopped with his 3-month-old daughter, Whitney. He said he and his siblings have drawn names so they bought for one person this holiday season instead of for everyone.

"My general mood is to spend less (this year)," he said.

Vicki Lewis of LeRoy said she had found good deals on clothing items this year. As an example, she held up a denim overall and striped shirt set for her great-nephew, Bryson Umstattd, who was born in late November. She said most of her shopping this year was for four children she and her sister-in-law, Kim, adopted for gift-giving through a program at Kim's place of business.

Lewis said she decided to adopt the children to "get back to what Christmas is all about."

Lewis said it was "humbling" for her 17-year-old son, Ian, and 10-year-old daughter, Abbie, to see necessities such as hats and warm clothes on the wish lists of the children she adopted.

"It was a learning experience for them," she said.

Laurie Swindler of Normal shopped in the home furnishing section with her husband, Jim. Laurie Swindler said she has found bargains on clothing and electronics at malls and through online vendors. Swindler said she spent "probably less" than last year.

"Mostly it's a chance to get out of the house before the storm," Jim Swindler said of the wind and cold in the forecast for late Saturday. "We came between storms."