Hi Thomas, we absolutely love your Shaken Udder Christmas tree! What made you think of creating this?

After having my first milkshake (my first exposure to Shaken Udder at my Secondary School) I looked at the empty bottles and really liked it – I was a bit lonely the first few days so I started collecting my bottles to keep me occupied. I know it seems a bit weird…

Originally, I was just storing the bottles in my locker, after about a week and a half they started taking up a lot of space and I didn’t know what to do with them but they made me think that I could possibly make something useful from them. The festive season was approaching, and I decided I would make a Christmas tree. The inspiration also came from another source as when I tried different stacking techniques in my locker a triangular shape worked the best which made me more determined to make the tree.

 

The Christmas tree you’ve created looks great! How many bottles did you use to make it and how did you fix it all together?

I used 276 bottles in total. My dad bought me a hot glue gun to stick the bottles together. As the structure became bigger (wider and taller) I had to support it with cello-tape.  I had a few bottles left and then decided to make a circular shape to represent a Christmas door  wreath for our front door.

 

Have your classmates helped you to collect bottles over the last few weeks? What do they think of your Christmas tree?

Yes, it has been a joint effort from multiple people across the school ranging from people giving the odd one every now and then to people giving me 2 or 3 a day! I’m now known as the Milkman (with a recycling plan!) and have a few milkmen who very kindly collect bottles on my behalf as well.

All the people who I’ve shown pictures of the tree are always very impressed and supportive of what I’ve done.

 

What is your favourite Shaken Udder milkshake flavour?

Definitely Top Banana

 

Do you have any other plans to start other creations?

Being in a Grammar school leaves limited time for relaxation and hobbies, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time over weekends to make something creative and useful from my Shaken Udder Stash. I mostly worked on Sundays (therefore it took a few weekends to complete). I found it very relaxing and rewarding to eventually see the bottles become something.

My aim is to keep on collecting Shaken Udder bottles at school (I already have a bag full again) to increase the tree’s width and height for next year.  I’m thinking of making something for Easter like a cross, hopefully I can donate that to our Local Felsted Church during Easter celebrations. I’m also thinking of making poppy fridge magnets for Remembrance next year to sell on behalf of the British Royal Legion poppy appeal.