Michael Shutt, a 37-year-old fabricator from Wingate, County Durham, has ushered in the Christmas season with a unique and arguably audacious festive creation: a seven-foot-tall Christmas tree constructed entirely from 69 one-liter bottles of Smirnoff vodka, his preferred brand. This unconventional holiday centerpiece, assembled in a pyramid-like structure using acrylic sheets for stability, stands as a testament to Shutt’s festive spirit and his fondness for vodka, specifically when mixed with Pepsi Max. While Shutt considers it a masterpiece, his partner, Ruth, a 32-year-old hairdresser, has expressed a decidedly frosty reception to the vodka-infused festive décor.
The construction of the vodka tree involved carefully layering the bottles atop acrylic sheets, creating a tiered effect that culminates in a pointed apex, mimicking the traditional silhouette of a Christmas tree. The clear glass bottles, filled with the translucent vodka, offer a unique visual aesthetic, subtly refracting light and potentially creating an interesting play of shadows when illuminated. While visually striking, the inherent fragility of the structure, comprised of glass bottles precariously balanced on plastic sheets, has raised concerns about its stability, particularly in the presence of children.
Shutt’s unveiling of the vodka tree to his family was met with a mixture of amusement and apprehension. While he clearly takes pride in his creation, his partner’s reaction was less enthusiastic. Ruth’s disapproval stems primarily from safety concerns, given the tree’s precarious balance and the potential risk it poses to their two children. Despite her reservations, Shutt remains resolute in his decision to keep the vodka tree on display, albeit with restrictions on access to ensure the children’s safety. A more traditional Christmas tree will be utilized for the placement of presents, addressing the practical considerations of the festive season.
The vodka tree’s construction echoes a similar, albeit larger-scale, project undertaken by the Queen Victoria pub in Wells, Somerset. The pub created a 26-foot-tall snowman using 2,500 wine bottles, demonstrating a shared penchant for unconventional festive decorations using recycled beverage containers. While the pub’s snowman dwarfs Shutt’s vodka tree in size, both projects showcase creativity and a willingness to think outside the box when it comes to holiday displays. They also highlight the potential for repurposing materials in unexpected and festive ways.
Shutt’s vodka tree arguably transcends the realm of mere decoration, becoming a statement piece that reflects his personality and passions. It’s a conversation starter, a testament to his resourcefulness, and a symbol of his unique approach to celebrating the holidays. While its practicality and safety might be debatable, the vodka tree undoubtedly stands out as a memorable and unconventional Christmas display. Its construction, reception, and the ensuing family dynamics it has sparked offer a humorous and relatable glimpse into the diverse ways families approach the festive season.
The juxtaposition of Shutt’s enthusiastic embrace of his vodka creation and his partner’s more cautious response underscores the inherent tensions that can arise during the holidays. While Shutt’s focus is on celebrating in a unique and personal way, Ruth’s priority is the safety and well-being of their children. This dynamic highlights the delicate balance families often navigate during the holiday season, striving to reconcile individual preferences with the collective needs and safety of the family unit. The vodka tree, while a source of amusement and conversation, becomes a symbolic representation of these festive negotiations and compromises.
