STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- With less than a dozen shopping days left before Christmas, holiday shoppers in Centre County are optimistic about the economy,

The most common denominator echoed by shoppers is the goal to buy necessities as gifts.

"We're getting what we think people need,” said Kim Smith in the Nittany Mall parking lot Monday morning. “Definitely more thoughtful, less of the little gadgety, trinkety things."

"I kind of do a lot of my shopping throughout the year,” explained Deloris Vonada. “If the kids need something, I pick it up so it isn't so much right at the Christmas season."

Although most families are focusing on bargains, some are splurging a bit, like Jennie Houser and her family. “Our family is doing fine. Our family is actually doing better than last year, so we are very fortunate,” said Houser.

A number of retailers in Central Pennsylvania are also optimistic about this holiday shopping season.

Target Team Leader Joe Eckles told WJAC-TV Monday that expectations have already been surpassed for this shopping season.

“We have strong traffic every day, even on days when the weather hasn't been that great,” said Eckles. “Getting a lot of guests through our doors and we're getting a lot of very positive feedback."