Auction bidders compete to take Woody the Talking Christmas Tree home for the holidays

A miniature version of Woody the Talking Christmas Tree is up for auction. (Source: Lisa Batten)

Woody the Talking Christmas Tree looms large over shoppers at Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, N.S., every December, but one Nova Scotian with deep pockets will soon have a pint-sized version of the holiday icon all year round.

Lisa Batten, owner of Best Kind Mud Shop in Cole Harbour, has hand slip casted a miniature version of the iconic tree and put it up for auction to raise money for people facing food insecurity.

Batten said the idea came from customer Gary Marsh, who also created Woody’s face for the tiny statue.

So far the auction has reached $695.

“I’m so impressed,” Batten said. “I thought it would get around $300 max. I didn’t grow up here but so many here have nostalgia about him.

“He really embodies the spirit of Dartmouth: kooky, a little offbeat. There’s just something about him.”

Batten, who opened Best Kind Mud Shop last December, said all proceeds from the auction will go to Feed Nova Scotia.

“Food insecurity is such a big issue for people,” she said. “Maybe some people will get some meals out of it.”

The auction closes at 6 p.m. on Friday.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Emma Convey

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