Inspiration for The Grateful Gumdrop Tree™
The Heart Behind The Grateful Gumdrop Tree™
A Tribute to Bertie Mae Phillips Dollar
The inspiration behind The Grateful Gumdrop Tree™ comes from someone very special—my grandmother, Bertie Mae Phillips Dollar.
Bertie Mae was born on December 8, 1923, in the small rural community of Baskin, Louisiana. She was one of nine children raised on a farm, with a father who worked the land and a mother who cared for the home. Later in life, she married my grandfather, Preston O. Dollar Sr., and together they traveled across the United States for his work with Dresser Engineering.
She was the proud mother of four children, including my father, Preston O. Dollar Jr., and the beloved grandmother of seven grandchildren—myself among them. Bertie Mae was a woman of many talents, including a passion for antiques, but it was her love of Christmas that truly defined her.
Each holiday season, her home became a magical wonderland. The circular pond in her front yard glowed with Christmas lights, featuring a central island where a nativity scene stood as the heart of the display. Above the house, a blow mold Santa and his reindeer soared across the roofline. Inside, the atmosphere was just as enchanting—Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee Christmas records played on a loop, fresh mistletoe hung from every doorway, and a dazzling Christmas tree stood proudly in the front window, themed differently each year.
And of course, there was always her gumdrop tree—a simple, sweet tradition that became something unforgettable. That gumdrop tree, and all the joy it symbolized, lives on in the pages of The Grateful Gumdrop Tree™.
Bertie Mae’s spirit, creativity, and deep love for family continue to inspire me every day. I’m honored to share a piece of her magic with you.