Budget-Minded Buyers Opt for Bargain Christmas Trees

Andrea Campbell didn’t have visions of sugarplums dancing in her head on Christmas Eve like most 11-year-olds. As lead salesperson for her family’s Christmas tree lot, her mission on the last day of business was to move the merchandise off the corner of University Avenue and 42nd Street.

Andrea had to work harder this year because sales are down 25%, said her father, Tony Campbell, who also owns another lot on Home Avenue. They started out with 400 trees at the University location, and, by Christmas Eve were down to about 40, which would be given away if not sold by 9 p.m.

Patrolling the lot with an 8-foot measuring stick as she has for the last two years, Andrea inquired of a last-minute shopper: “What are you looking for in a tree?�

“I try to get whatever I can for them, but I don’t let them walk off the lot (empty-handed) because this is the last day,� said Andrea, whose 7-year-old sister sells the mistletoe.

The 3- to 4-foot tabletop trees have been the Campbells’ biggest sellers because they are more suited to the apartments in the neighborhood and they are cheaper--a particularly big incentive this year.

“People will pay $15 for a 4-footer before they’ll pay $20 for a 6-footer,� said Campbell, who runs painting and income-tax businesses in the off season. “Some of them take them on the bus or walk them home.�

Miriam Griffin said buying a tree on Christmas Eve is a tradition, but she and her family also don’t mind getting a good deal.

“The most inexpensive tree is what we’re looking for,� Griffin said as Andrea led her around the lot. “On Christmas Eve, you’d think they’s be a little less.�

Short and inexpensive were definitely in this year, as workers at Seasonal Enterprises at the Grove shopping center were sawing off the tops of taller trees they might not otherwise sell.

“We kind of got scared ‘cause we didn’t sell a lot in the beginning,� said Shawn Anderson, whose family operates five lots in San Diego. “In the end, people are wanting smaller trees.�

After starting with several hundred shipped from Oregon and Washington, Anderson had about 20 trees left to sell before closing for the season.

Although Harold Groot was recruited by Rilla Heslin because he was “a family friend with a large car,� they finally agreed that small was the way to go.

“We want a tree that someone this size can decorate,� said Groot, pointing to Heslin’s 5-year-old daughter, Khamber. Khamber and her sister, Khara, 13, were planning on trimming the tree with homemade ornaments.

While people were looking for deals on Christmas trees, they weren’t hesitant about loosening the purse strings for some last-minute gifts.

Selling for $150, the Sega Genesis game for Nintendo was the most popular item at Kay Bee Toy Store at the Grove, followed by a $10 race car set, salesman Carl Knight said. Little Mermaid dolls and Holiday Barbies were also hot items.

Down the mall at Zales, 2-carat diamond tennis bracelets sold out at about $2,000 apiece, and diamond anniversary bands were in demand, according to salespeople. At General Nutrition Centers, manager Jim Heinecke had lost count of the number of electric massagers and beaded car seat covers he had sold.

Many shoppers at Fashion Valley, however, seemed to be taking more advantage of the warm weather instead of last-minute sales, as many strolled empty-handed under clear skies.

An exception was Margie Bellanger, who visits San Diego for the holidays and does all of her shopping here on Christmas Eve. She was with her friend, Patty Boulder, who was helping her carry her purchases.

“The shopping is much better here than in Los Angeles,� Bellanger said before hurrying off.