We would only put up our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve when I was growing up, and it was ever so stressful watching my father haggle on the tree lot.
Tree guy, you can have Christmas without a tree. I hate Christmas trees. They take up space I don't (didn't; I have more space now) have, and spread needles everywhere. And I'm Christian, so I'm not that big on the pagan symbols anyway.
That is an excellent example. Who really has the upper hand? Depends on how close the competition is, I guess. And how close the competition is to their competitors..
My dad: "It's worth nothing to you tomorrow."
Tree guy: "You're not gonna have Christmas?"