Book Review: The Lonely Christmas Tree by Brent Marthaller

The Lonely Christmas Tree


by Brent A. Marthaller

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Page Count: 24 Pages

Genre: Children's, Inspirational, Motivational, Spiritual

Book Synopsis

The Lonely Christmas Tree is born with a purpose to be cherished by someone at Christmas. When the tree is the last one remaining in the lot, the tree starts to believe that all hope is lost.  A bright light comes along restoring faith in dreams and encourages the spirit to persevere. The tree is small and limp but has the spirit to find love and acceptance. This story demonstrates that all of us have that spark within us to find what we long for. Persistence and fortitude can lead us out of despair to the light that shines for all of us. 

My Review

The Lonely Christmas Tree is a heart warming book to enjoy during the Christmas season. I really admire how the author created a lovely story, but also included an important lesson for children. Do not judge someone or something by their appearance. The lonely Christmas tree wanted someone to share his Christmas cheer with, but instead he was quickly passed by and left alone. He realized his branches weren't as full or green as the other trees, and he didn't stand as tall. He wanted someone to stop and see that inside he had much joy to give a family. The story has a beautiful ending. I also liked the colorful illustrations that truly reflected a wintery feel. 

Author Bio

Brent Marthaller lives in West Fargo, ND, and has written music and lyrics since 1978. During the 1980’s and 1990’s he was a member of several bands which performed throughout the area and at local venues. While those days of performing are in the past, he continues to write whenever he can. He also enjoys introducing his grandchildren to all varieties of music.

Purchase Links:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Author’s Website - www.thelonelychristmastree.com

Exclusive Hardcover versions may be purchased for $11.99 directly from the author website!

Tate Publishing 

• http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61739-100-2
• http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61346-168-6 

Happy Holidays from Olympia, WA

Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle Holiday Waste

While the kids tear into gifts on Christmas, I run around them confiscating the boxes, gift bags, and ribbon to put up in the closet and reuse for next year. I don't want to imagine all the waste sitting on the curbs waiting for trash pick up after the holidays. If it can be reused, I salvage it.

DIY Wreath - This year I made a wreath for our front door using beads and ribbon from last year. The wreath itself was something I purchased last year (at the dollar store) and the faux poinsettia is the only thing I bought this year. My total investment was $3.

I am lucky enough to receive many holiday cards each year. It always warms my heart to open the envelope and find a cheery card inside. My family has a tradition of taping all our holiday cards on the back of our front door. We are constantly being reminded of the wonderful people in our life.

As much as I would love to, I just can’t keep every card we receive. When the holidays are over, I remove all the cards from our front door. I put aside the ones that have family pictures on them or ones that have in-depth personal messages. Those cards go in inspirational journals that I keep.

Most of the cards usually just contain a signature, so I don’t feel too awful about reusing those. I fold the crease of the card and tear down the middle. I dispose of the side that has the signature, and I reuse the cover of the card. A few examples of how I reuse them: in a holiday collage, transform into gift tags for next year, as a holiday postcard (flip over, write a message & add a stamp!) and I also write thank you notes on them to include in my Etsy orders. 

Think about how you can reuse & recycle the paper items you receive this year!

DIY Advent Calendar

Every year I watch as my friends post cool and crafty advent calendars they’ve made for their kids. And every year I vow that “ next year” I will make one, too. Next year rolls around, and I forget until I see those photos from my friends.

This year I made one! I thought of multiple different ways to make the calendar. My issue was the cost to make three calendars, one for each kid. It’s no secret: I’m frugal.

Finally, this is what I came up with –

I also had to consider space for three separate calendars, so I chose one sock for each day. The socks are large enough that I can slip three different treats in each one. It’s simple, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly because the kids get to wear the socks when the calendar is complete!

What I did…

I decided to go to the dollar store and buy four packs of holiday socks and then two 3-pack of white socks. My total cost was $6.00. I had two pairs of socks at home that I planned on using, so in all, I had twenty-four single socks.

I took two sheets of red card stock and made 24 tags, and added numbers on each tag using stickers. Everything I used to make the tags came from my craft collection.

I cut a long piece of ribbon and strung it from one side of my mantel to the other. I hung each sock & tag with a clothes pin (bought a large pack at the dollar store)

My total cost for the advent calendar was $7.00!