“The Modern Christmas Tree” was designed by Lawrence “Bud” Stoecker, a gifted engineer and builder. The first prototype was built in the sixties, and every Christmas, Stoecker would experiment to find which materials suited the design. Plexiglass was chosen for its translucence, which helped create the illusion of a tree made of glass. Stoecker’s holiday centerpieces were once created to enchant his family each year.
It debuted at the Denver Modernism show, in 2011. This was made possible by Stoecker’s grandson, Matt Bliss. He had been helping his grandparents move into a retirement community when he rediscovered one of the trees. Bliss, now in his early forties, had not seen one of them in years. Upon asking his grandfather if he could keep it, Stoecker happily agreed. Producing his grandfather’s prototype trees and ensuring the centerpieces would go on to enchant other families throughout the world, was Bliss’ tribute to Stoecker.
The trees are known to resonate with baby-boomers, a generation of families who share an enduring love for the midcentury style that Stoecker thrived upon. Shawna Sarnowski, the owner of the tree seen on this issue's cover, confirms its timeless aesthetic. “Every year I look forward to displaying it,” Sarnowski said. “I think of it as an architectural art piece, encompassing all things retro and classic. The uniqueness of the Modern Christmas tree is like no other. It adds a touch of magic to my holiday decor.”
Its structure is held up by rings of plexiglass, complimented by hand-cut crystals and polished ornaments. It comes with an acrylic starburst, meant to be placed at the top, and a multi-colored light that can be altered at any time. Variants of the Modern Christmas Tree can be purchased at https://www.modernchristmastrees.com/.