I can see how some might not see putting up a tree 2 days before Christmas as procrastination. I applaud that, while the rest of us put up our decorations at Thanksgiving...and Wal-Mart puts theirs up in July.

But, indeed...it should not come as a surprise that everyone would be sold out, or very nearly so, by that time. Even if you're not putting your tree up until then, you probably need to buy it a little earlier for that reason. As for me, I'll stick with my fake tree. The clean-up afterward, plus the one-time expense, makes it well worth it. I'll get an air-freshener or a candle if I really need the pine smell.