Frankie has had enough of schlepping out the Christmas decorations and trying to make the perfect holiday for her family -- who she feels doesn't appreciate all that she does for them -- and decides to kick back on the couch and have a minimalist Christmas this year. Meanwhile, due to Sue's allergy to real Christmas trees, Mike attempts to purchase an artificial one and ends up not getting what he paid for. Axl puts Boss Co. back into business for the holidays as Tree Wise Men but gets into such a heated argument with Sean over a misfit toy that the two can't seem to work together, and Brick becomes fascinated by a Christmas letter the family has received and attempts to write one on his own outlining the past year of the Hecks.

Frankie discovers an old, uncashed paycheck from Ehlert Motors. But in order for her to collect her pay, Mr. Ehlert forces her to work on the lot for one day. Meanwhile, after her hours at Spudsy's are cut down, Mike offers Sue a part-time job as the quarry cleaning lady; Mike's dad, Big Mike, attempts to persuade a lazy Axl to help replace the Heck family's damaged kitchen sink, and Brick discovers the joy of watching '70s game shows and begins his own annoying classic contest with the family.