Finals week runs late this semester, shortening the amount of time students have to shop for Christmas.

Jenn Martinovic (freshman-psychology) said Christmas shopping during finals is an extra pressure.

"As much as finals take priority, shopping is just another thing you have to do," she said.

Martinovic is not looking forward to doing her Christmas shopping in State College because "there is not a great variety of stores."

She has set aside cash to purchase gifts already and to alleviate the financial burden of the Christmas season, Martinovic has focused her shopping list to include only family.

Other students did not plan to do Christmas shopping on their semester spending budget.

Lori Marulli (freshman-meteorology) said she doesn't have much money this late in the semester and wants to focus on grades during finals week.

She is anticipating long lines with other last minute shoppers. She intends to buy Penn State memorabilia on campus as gifts and will finish her shopping at home.

Businesses downtown are aware of the financial constraints students might be facing this time of year.

"Economically, times are tough," said Veronica Burk, store manager at Mr. Charles Shops Inc., 228 E. College Ave.

To ease the pain of Christmas shopping and take advantage of students' extra week in State College, several stores have started to increase advertising efforts.

Burk said Mr. Charles has offered more sales and discount opportunities compared to past years. Other stores' spokespeople said location and name recognition are enough to attract shoppers.

"[Metro's] location is usually enough to attract business, but with students staying an extra week, we have made an effort to advertise more," said Nicole Houze, manager of Metro, 324 E. College Ave. "We've been selling a lot of books, hats, scarves and handbags. Gifts are the main attraction now and not the clothes."

Sales have encouraged students to shop downtown, but consumers still have to deal with the ice and snow.

Battling the weather has prevented more students from coming downtown to shop, Houze said. Some students have decided to avoid the inclement weather while shopping for friends and family.

Even though window displays along College Avenue are decorated with Christmas lights, trees, ornaments and advertising gift deals, not every merchant downtown is focusing on Christmas. The Student Book Store (SBS), 330 E. College Ave., has been advertising more heavily this year than other years at this time because Penn State is going to a bowl game, not because of Christmas, Norm Brown, SBS manager said.