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Tidbits of Care

Lifestyle blog for self care, mental health and personal growth

Books/Reading  /  September 29, 2021

Get into the Christmas Spirit with Short Stories

AD-This post contains gifted products, but all thoughts are my own.

I love being part of the blogging community and part of that is because I am always finding new blogs, content and people to connect with, who have so much to share and offer others. It has really amazed me how welcoming bloggers are of each other, and I am so glad I found this little corner of the internet that is is positive and happy.

One of the many bloggers who makes this community great is Katie from Life with Ktkinnes who covers a huge content area from lifestyle including recipes and book reviews to more serious topics and she also shares a ton of Christmas content. Useful content, like budgeting for the holiday season and mental health and suffering during the holiday season. Katie loves Christmas so much she created a second blog, Christmas with Katie which shares Christmas content all year long. And it’s such a cute blog! So if you don’t know yet know Katie, do check out her blogs, they are lovely little places on the internet.

Katie is also an Author

Katie also happens to be the author of Calm by the Christmas Tree, a collection of short stories that take place around the Christmas season. She gathered all the short pieces she had written at some point, and began to assemble into one body of work which is now her first published book, as described below:

“Christmas isn’t a season;
It’s a feeling”
– Edna Ferber

Christmas is a magical time of the year. In fact, some would go as far as to describe it as the most wonderful time of the year. One of the best parts about December is the build up to Christmas. Let your inner child be indulged, as you join author Katie Burton for her debut collection of short stories and pieces of flash fiction in the lead up to one of the busiest times of the year.

Calm By The Christmas Tree invites readers to indulge in some reflective “me-time” once every few days, spacing each story out through the month of December, and allowing them the chance to reflect on the hope, love, and magic of the festive period. From lovers’ tiffs, to making amends, and from old to young, each of Burton’s protagonists are relatable in both character and the lessons they learn.

Written for reading before bed, on your travels, or during a brief moment of peace with a comforting drink, these tales whisk you away to a world where Christmas is as magical and important as it was during your childhood. Despite the often painful realities of life, there is always a lesson to learn and a reason to celebrate.

Review of Calm by the Christmas Tree

I love that the book can be read in quick sittings, as none of the stories are very long, and that you can enjoy a moment of Christmas cheer on the bus, before bed or even on your coffee break. Best thing about this book is that there is a variety of story types–a murder mystery being the one that surprised me the most. One of the final stories in the collection brought tears to my eyes.

Related Post: What I Really Want for Christmas in 2020

To be quite honest, I’m not a huge fan of short stories. As a reader, I love meaty plots, and have always had a hard time being as engaged and fulfilled when reading short stories. But Calm by the Christmas Tree delivers on what is promises: “tales that whisk you away” and that allow you” to reflect on the hope and magic” of the season. While I enjoyed some stories more than others, the collection is a lovely, lighthearted one full of the spirit of Christmas. Although you can read this at any time of year, I honestly think this would be lovely to read during the holiday season as it really does warm your heart.

get into the Christmas spirt photo 1

A couple of my favourite stories were “The Snowman Murders” and “Nicole’s Christmas Present.” Both were from very different genres, but both really captured me as I was reading. I also very much enjoyed “The Magic of Christmas” as it really does sprinkle that excited, special feeling you experience as a child at Christmas throughout the story and the story “Dear Santa” reminded me that Christmas is not always the happiest of holidays for everyone. All in all, I took away the idea from the collection of stories that gratitude is very important, especially at Christmas time when so many of us are surrounded by family and love. And from that gratitude should come the willingness on our behalf to give back to others.

A truly festive read to get into the Christmas spirit.

You can find Katie’s book on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Reading around the holiday season is usually a cozy activity many indulge in, and can be great self care and help you get into the Christmas spirit. I personally love reading all year round, but there are certain times of year, or days that I especially enjoy reading–around Christmas, Halloween, on snowy days–and if you are a sort of seasonal reader, this little book will fit right into your reading list. Christmas is a holiday were we celebrate family more than any other, and we trust to the magic of the season more than any other time of year, but it’s important to note that this holiday is not always a happy one for many. It is important to give back so be sure to donate to a food bank, to help out an elderly neighbour, to reach out to friends you haven’t seen in a while, to adopt a family for Christmas so that they have some presents under the tree. This is the greater spirit of Christmas and one we should embrace.

How do you give back at Christmas? Share your thoughts below.

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Hi! I'm Giulia
I write a lifestyle blog that seeks to inspire others to begin to their own journey into self care, one tidbit at a time. I am passionate about sharing my own journey from the last decade, and what I've learned along the way. I love chips and dip and Tudor ficiton.

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Today has been a wonderful, quiet day—after all the cleaning was done that is. I cherish quiet days. It’s nice to just melt into them and enjoy the sense of peace that comes with them. I love to read, or crochet on quiet days, or watch the baby as he plays. Who else loves quiet days? #tidbitsofcare #peacefulday #selfcaresunday🌸 #quietdayathome #lifestyleblogger #blog #selfcareblog #timetoreflect🙏
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    33 Comments

    • Lisa says:
      September 29, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      I’ve had a good nosey around Katie’s Christmas blog a few times now and it’s full of cheery content for the most magical time of the year! I haven’t read her book though, and it Sounds delightful, I will look into it as I think it would make a lovely present 🙂
      Lisa recently posted…How to use essential oils for better sleep and create a perfect pre-bed routine *My Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 29, 2021 at 1:01 pm

        Yes, her blog is so lovely!

        Reply
    • Britt K says:
      September 29, 2021 at 1:18 pm

      I always love collections like this where you can enjoy a short story when you’re dealing with limited time without committing to a full novel or anything. they are perfect for our road trips to visit family with the holiday season approaching! My husband often drives and I read in the passenger seat.
      Britt K recently posted…Is a Cheap Rabies Vaccine or Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic Safe?My Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 30, 2021 at 8:50 am

        Oh, this would make for great road trip reading.

        Reply
    • Katie says:
      September 29, 2021 at 3:25 pm

      I’m a huge fan of short stories – I don’t know about Christmas stories in particular because I don’t think I’ve ever read any before, but this collection looks so sweet! Plus, anyone named Katie is automatically OK in my book 😉
      Katie recently posted…Creating a Room of my own with Poster StoreMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 29, 2021 at 3:35 pm

        LOL hope you click the link then 😆

        Reply
    • Jaya Avendel says:
      September 29, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      I have heard some lovely things about this short story collection, so I loved reading your thoughts on it! With Christmas coming up in a couple months, I do believe this book might make a nice gift to my story-loving friends too. 🙂
      Jaya Avendel recently posted…Three Poems Published at Free Verse Revolution!My Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 30, 2021 at 8:49 am

        It might be a nice gift indeed!

        Reply
    • Vourneen says:
      September 30, 2021 at 11:06 am

      I love this post! I totally agree that Christmas is a feeling – I’m a huge Christmas fan! These short stories are definitely my kind of thing, thanks for sharing!
      Vourneen recently posted…Why you shouldn’t sell your stuff after declutteringMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 30, 2021 at 11:07 am

        My pleasure!!

        Reply
    • Pastor Natalie says:
      September 30, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      This sounds like a good CHRISTMAS read. Thank you for sharing this post.

      Pastor Natalie
      Letstakeamoment.com
      Pastor Natalie recently posted…WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO FIND JOY IN THE SIMPLE MOMENTSMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 30, 2021 at 5:04 pm

        Thanks for visiting the blog!

        Reply
    • Charity says:
      September 30, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      Oh I am always looking to get into the christmas SPIRIT. I will have to check these books out. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        September 30, 2021 at 6:23 pm

        My pleasure!

        Reply
    • Andrea hunt says:
      October 1, 2021 at 7:20 am

      very nice list! i love christmas and can’t wait!

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 1, 2021 at 7:52 am

        It’s a happy holiday! I love Christmas too.

        Reply
    • Sarah says:
      October 1, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      I’m not usually a short stories fan either but this book sounds lovely! I love stories that capture the spirit of CHRISTMAS and i lOve seasonal reAding. It sounds like a Wonderful lead up tO the holiday And s fun mix of genres- ESPECIALLY with that mystery thrown in!
      Sarah recently posted…Pecan Pumpkin Bars with Crumble ToppingMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 1, 2021 at 9:24 pm

        You’ll likely like it!

        Reply
    • Molly @ Transatlantic Notes says:
      October 3, 2021 at 12:25 pm

      I love the idea of short stories for this season — thanks for the recommendations, I will have to check some of them out!
      Molly @ Transatlantic Notes recently posted…Banned Books & The Freedom To ReadMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 3, 2021 at 12:38 pm

        No problem, I hope you like the book.

        Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 3, 2021 at 1:13 pm

        Hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    • weebkiid says:
      October 3, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      loved your final thoughts
      weebkiid recently posted…Top 15 BEST Action Fantasy Anime You MUST See!!My Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 3, 2021 at 1:12 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    • Jamieadstories says:
      October 3, 2021 at 1:12 pm

      I love ShOrt stories and Christmas, so a mix of both is Perfect.

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 3, 2021 at 1:12 pm

        Absolutely agree!

        Reply
    • Susan1375 says:
      October 3, 2021 at 4:47 pm

      Love short stories asthe reader can dip in and out without losing track of the storyline. I esPecially like christmas ones as it is such a magical time of year

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 4, 2021 at 9:44 am

        Yes, short stories are good that way! I’d never thought of it like that actually, good point.

        Reply
    • Sarah Mark says:
      October 4, 2021 at 8:07 am

      I love these! short stories are great when you are limited on time and don’t want to start a larger book and the fact these are all based around Christmas makes them even better! there is nothing better than getting cosy on the sofa with a warm drink and a good story.

      sarah | http://www.aspoonfulofvanilla.co.uk

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        October 4, 2021 at 9:45 am

        I totally agree! Good books and hot drinks all the way.

        Reply
    • Jamieadstories says:
      November 19, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      Christmas storIes always hit the sPOt.

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        November 19, 2021 at 7:00 pm

        They sure do!

        Reply
    • Jamieadstories says:
      December 5, 2021 at 1:27 pm

      Short sTories are perfect for this time of year.

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        December 5, 2021 at 9:17 pm

        Yes, they are easier to complete than a novel lol

        Reply
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