Christmas is just 15 days away, which means preparations for the holiday are in full swing for most families.
While picking up gifts and all the trimmings for the Christmas dinner, many families stop to pick up their Christmas tree. For people still looking for the decoration centerpiece, Elizabethton has plenty of options available to make that tree purchase.
Linda Haerr has been a fixture in west Elizabethton for the past eight years with her tree stand and gift wrapping station. Haerr, usually accompanied by her canine friend Rascal, operates her business All Wrapped Up out of a large box truck that she parks near the old Magic Mart building.
“The manager of Magic Mart helped me get my start,” Haerr said. “He had me set up in the parking lot to wrap presents. The first year I got my truck, there was a man selling trees. He decided he didn’t want to and asked me if I wanted to buy him out, and that’s how I got started with that.”
Haerr offers an almost one-stop shop for shoppers looking to finish out their Christmas decoration list. While she wraps their gifts, they can browse her tree and wreath selection to find the perfect complement for their home. She noted she is planning to add mistletoe to her greenery offerings.
Even though the peak Christmas tree buying season has passed, Haerr said she still sees a steady stream of business. The week of Thanksgiving and the week after Thanksgiving are the busiest times for Christmas tree shopping.
“During the first weekend after Thanksgiving, I would sell as many as 20 trees in one day,” Haerr said. “I still have good days. It will pick up right before Christmas with the last minute shoppers.”
While Haerr has many repeat customers, she thinks it is her furry companion that keeps them coming back.
“Rascal is definitely popular,” she said. “Everybody asks where he is and they will bring him Christmas gifts. He is kind of my mascot.”
On the east side of town, members of River’s Edge Fellowship Church are selling Christmas trees and wreaths to benefit the children’s program.
Member Tim Clemons said the fundraiser has been a good one for the church for the past nine years, but this year has been one of the best.
“This has been a great year,” Clemons said. “Normally it takes around three weeks to sell 160 trees. This year, we have sold that in a little over a week.”
The church will continue to sell the Fraser firs until around a week before Christmas.
Haerr can be found at her business seven days a week. She said she opens around 10 or10:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and will stay open until around 7 p.m. or until the last customer is served. On Sunday, she is open from around noon until 5 p.m.
River’s Edge’s is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The church is located at 1200 Highway 19E across from CVS.