Last-minute Thanksgiving shoppers crowd grocery stores

One of the most important things about Thanksgiving is spending time with friends and family around a home-cooked meal.

If you still haven’t gotten everything you need to make yours, add a little extra time -- you can expect stores to be packed.

ALSO READ: Thanksgiving 2022: Which grocery stores are open, closed on Thanksgiving?

Make sure you bring your patience, and expect to deal with long lines not only inside of the store, but in the parking lot as well.

>> In the video at the top of the page, Channel 9′s Almiya White talks to customers at a Costco in Matthews about their Thanksgiving meal preparations.

(WATCH BELOW: Sheetz selling gas for $1.99 a gallon for Thanksgiving)