Bermudians are leaving their Easter shopping once again to the last minute ? with stores gearing up today for a last minute rush on chocolate, kites, hats and women and children's clothes.

But it seems like Bermudians are going back to their roots this year with sales of wood, string and tissue for kite-making all up considerably in stores.

And certain types of Easter eggs are already starting to sell out as the rush begins in earnest to pick up the necessary items for the holiday weekend.

"It is really good to see the sales up for kite making supplies," said George Grundmuller, head of the Phoenix Stores, which sells the most kites and eggs during this period. "Lets hope that this is the start of Bermudians going back to their traditional ways and making kites as families again."

Mr. Grundmuller said that it was getting busier as the week went on, but residents were still leaving their shopping to the last minute.

"People buy later every time," he said. "But they should hurry up while the selection is still there."

Deanda Cartwright, the Annex Toy Store, said that all kinds of de-lux kites were hot sellers this year.

"But it is the kite making stuff, the paper and the sticks and the pre-made frames (which are made locally) that are selling the best," she said.

Nylon kites are gaining in popularity, despite being slightly more expensive as they seem to last longer. "But people like to buy new kites every year."

Other popular ones are 3D kites as well as the old-fashioned Bat kites. "They have been around for about 20 or 30 years, and people are nostalgic about them," said Ms Cartwright. "They used to have them when they were young and now they are buying them for their children."

The Phoenix will open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, with any left over kites being sent up to the ground floor for any latecomers.

Carol Bromby, the owner/manager of Toys 'n' Stuff said that Easter eggs and kites were also flying off the shelves at her store.

And she said that it appeared that there were more people this year buying tissue and wood to make their own kites.

"Lets hope that this is part of a growing trend," she said.

The most popular kites this year are Barbie and Bob the Builder with bird kites coming a close second and kites range in price from about $2.95 for small and $40 for larger deluxe models.

Easter eggs, which range from about $2.00 right up to $25, made up and make your own baskets have also been very popular this year.

"It started out slow last week," said Mrs. Bromby. "But it has gotten busier this week as we get closer to Easter. We have been very busy making up baskets, and we have been making up baskets with beach buckets and some Summer stuff is starting to go now."

At Marks & Spencer it is not just the Easter eggs that have been flying off the shelves this week, but also the store has been doing a roaring trade in its wines.

"People have been stocking up for their parties and for Easter Sunday," said Diann Tucker, floor manager at M&S.

But she said that so far they had not had a rush on Easter chocolates which they expected to start from today and pick up right until Thursday.

The women's department has also had a steady flow with women buying new dresses for Easter as well as the beginning of a run on summer clothes with a new consignment of swimsuits starting to sell well.

Peter Cooper, managing director of A.S. Cooper also said that people were waiting until late again this year to buy their Easter outfits.

At this time of year hats, dresses, outfits and accessories are all good sellers. "We are about the same as last year," he said. "But we will be able to tell on Saturday if everyone really has left it to the last minute."