Crowds aren’t her favorite, but 80-year-old Dorene Luzzi of Redwood City wasn’t letting that stop her Black Friday shopping plans.

“It’s been a nightmare,” Luzzi said, gleeful as she showed off clothing deals she snagged for her family on Friday at Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo.

Despite talk of the death of American malls due to online shopping and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peninsula center was full of life, with children climbing on the outdoor playground and every table in the food court packed.

For many Bay Area consumers, the holiday season is a balancing act: navigating rising costs and economic uncertainty while still enjoying the rituals and joy of gift shopping.

Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association, said shoppers are embracing both the co

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