Nothing says Holly Jolly Christmas like winning the Mega Millions lottery — especially with a $344 million grand prize.
Players hoping Santa comes early are scooping up tickets for Tuesday’s drawing, which marks the fourth-largest Mega Millions jackpot since New York joined the game 11 years ago.
“If I win, then it’s Christmas every day for me and my family,” said Harlem construction worker Ronald Irving, 42, who’s hoping to cash in with a Mega Millions stocking stuffer.
“With that kind of money, I’ll have no excuse to not give the best gifts.”
The 11 p.m. drawing could result in a near-record US payout, after no one claimed the top prize of $297 million Friday.
The previous record Mega Millions payout — $656 million in March 2012 — was split three ways, with winners from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland each taking home $157.8 million after taxes.
“I’m buying tickets for me and some family as an early Christmas gift, actually,” said Sophia Pascal, 31, of East Harlem, who was buying tickets at an Upper East Side deli.
“They make a good preholiday stocking stuffer, and if any one of them wins, they’ll have to send some love and money my way. Unless they have no Christmas spirit.”