Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Butter and flour two 8 inch cake pans
Combine cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and pudding mix in a large mixing bowl.
Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Transfer to the mixture into pans and bake for 30 minutes, checking to see if a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Remove from pans and transfer to the refrigerator.
Cool for an additional 15 minutes.
In the meantime make buttercream frosting by combining butter and sugar.
Add vanilla and milk. Mix well adding more milk to get your desired stiffness.
Remove 1/2 cup of frosting and mix with preserves to make the filling.
Remove cakes from the refrigerator and cut off the top domes to make them flat.
Place one cake bottom side up on a parchment-lined tray or cake plate.
Using a cake bag or plastic bag, pipe some frosting around the edge to make a dam.
Fill the dam in with the cherry filling.
Top with second cake bottom side up and crumb coat. (a light coating of frosting)
Move back to the refrigerator to set for 15 minutes.
Remove from the refrigerator and continue to frost the entire cake.
Decorate by sprinkling white sanding sugar all over.
Place some rosemary sprigs upside down to create trees on the top of the cake.
Remove parchment and add sugared cranberries all around the base of the cake and among the trees.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.