Last-Minute Shopping Includes Looking For Christmas Tree

Todd Jernigan has a lot of time and trees on his hands. The Christmas tree seller hopes he will make some green from the green still standing.

"I think I'll sell 30 or 40 of them," he said.

With Christmas just around the corner, there are still about 100 trees left on Jernigan's lot, but do not expect a bargain. He said he will not go below 50 percent off. He said he just cannot sell them for nothing because of his love for the trees.

"Each time, somebody has put their care into it. They are like a fallen soldier. They are worth something," Jernigan said.

John Black and his family are willing to cough up any price. Black said his family has had the flu and this is the first chance they have had to buy a tree. Black said he is willing to pay because of tradition and because pickings are slim.

"It's not been a fun adventure. We hit five or six tree lots, and we started to panic this morning," he said.

Jernigan will be back at his lot on Christmas Eve open for business and he said he may budge in the spirit of the holiday.

"I've got a soft spot for older people," he said.

Jernigan said some people will take trees from lots after Christmas. Even after the needles turn brown, they will not fall off the tree, so some people will paint them and keep the tree for next year.