UP Channel Movie Preview: The Tree That Saved Christmas

Growing up on a generations-old Christmas tree family farm in rural Vermont, Molly Logan (Lacey Chabert from Party of Five and Mean Girls) used her imagination to write stories about the trees as they were shipped out.

Her favorite story was “Charlie Brown”, which was about a tree struggling to grow for which she begged her father Gordon (Eric Keenleyside from Once Upon a Time) not to cut down; and pleaded with him to tend to the gash made in the trunk when it was selected to be cleared from the woods. Molly just knew that someday that little tree would have a tale to tell.

Jump 20 years later with Molly attempting to pursue her writing career in Manhattan, but because of her job as assistant to Walter Dunlap (Jim Thorburn from Continuum and the made for TV movie Garage Sale Mystery), the CEO of Pendant Publishing, she has no life and little chance to write.

She soon learns from her architect brother Ryan (Matthew Anderson from the made for TV movies Let It Snow and Lucky in Love) that the local bank is foreclosing on her parents’ farm, meaning this will be her family’s last Christmas there. But, because of her job, Molly won’t be able to make it home for the holidays until the tree that she ordered for her boss’s home turns out to be the same tree that was saved all those years ago. Taking that as a sign, Molly heads home for the holidays taking the tree with her and works to save her family’s tree farm.

With some unexpected help from her childhood best friend/former boyfriend Lucas Bishop (Corey Sevier from Cedar Cove), who just happens to be the son of the bank owner (James Kidnie from Continuum and Arrow) intent on foreclosing on the property, Victoria and Sofia, the daughters of Molly’s boss (Yasmeene Ball and Alisha Newton respectively) and one other surprising source, Molly just might be able to save the farm after all.

Lacey Chabert, over the last few years, has proven to be the go-to-girl (next to Candace Cameron Bure) for holiday movies, and The Tree That Saved Christmas is no exception. If you are looking for the quintessential family-friendly film for the holiday season, this is the one.

The cast also includes Lini Evans as Molly’s mom Betty and Karen Holness as Molly’s friend Tara.

The Tree That Saved Christmas will air on UP Channel on Sunday, November 30 at 7 PM.