By Brittney Matejka

The last Friday before Christmas deemed the busiest shopping day of the year.

Dec 22, 2017 | 4:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – It’s the last Friday before Christmas, and Interac predicts it to be the busiest shopping day of the year.

Shoppers are expected to spend $2.1 million dollars an hour today.

Interac asked Canadians who they spend the most on during the holidays, 43% said their children were the highest expense, 31% said their spouse and 12% said their parents.

Two thirds of shoppers reported they had a holiday budget of $500 dollars or below.

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CHAT News spoke to shoppers in Medicine Hat Mall today who were busy starting and finishing their holiday shopper.

One shopper said “procrastination,” was her reason for being in the mall today. Another shopper explained “a family vacation right before Christmas brought on panic mode,” for the last minute gift shopping.

On the final Friday before Christmas in 2016, Canadians spent over 1.2 billion dollars. Interac predicts that number to increase this holiday season.