Kent Fritzel

If you have ever visited New York City in December, you have undoubtedly seen and admired the work of Kent Fritzel. He is the chief creative officer of American Christmas, which designs indoor and outdoor holiday décor for many of Manhattan’s most famous tourist destinations. Radio City Music Hall, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Rockefeller Center are among the company’s clients. Before joining American Christmas, Fritzel worked for several Christmas wholesalers. He lives in New York City with his partner, Nick.

How do you decorate your home for Christmas?
We live in an apartment on the Upper West Side. We have a 101/2-foot slim-line tree because, living in the city, space is at a premium. It’s lit with 4,500 minilights, which are split between two separate circuits, and it’s decorated with more than 350 old-world, mouth-blown-glass ornaments. At the top of the tree is an exploding starburst of six old-world-glass finials. One thing I love about trees is that they’re beautiful from a distance — all the lights and ornaments sparkle like pavé diamonds — and then, up close, the ornaments tell individual stories that are all unique and interesting. I love seeing people’s reaction to our tree.

Is it a real or an artificial tree?
I always have an artificial tree. You can’t put as many ornaments on a real tree. It won’t hold them.
Do you decorate the rest of the apartment? This year, I had a lighted artificial wreath in the hallway to
carry the light of the holiday into the other areas of the house. I also love fresh greens throughout the house. I go to the floral district and bring home arms full of boxwoods, bayberries, winterberries and junipers — as many textures and colors as I can find.

What kind of cards do you send?
We do a photo of our dog, Elsie. She’s an English bulldog and she has a great face and an amazing personality. Two years ago, we photographed her sitting in Santa’s throne. Last year, she was in front of our Christmas tree. Our families and friends all know Elsie and love to see her.

What kind of cards do you like to receive?
I love them all. With friends as diverse as ours, we get all different types, from silly, goofy cards to beautiful handmade ones. It’s not about the look for me; it’s about reconnecting with people.

What’s your favorite Christmas memory?
I think I was about 6. I remember my dad waking me up, and it had just snowed. I looked out the window to a picture-perfect Currier-and-Ives scene. My dad said, “Look Kent, Santa’s been here” — he had made reindeer tracks along the path to the house. Another year, he rang Santa’s bells outside my window. My dad is great. No wonder I’m obsessed with Christmas!

What’s new in commercial Christmas décor?
I think there is a real desire to stretch the boundary of the expected. Christmas is iconic, but now we’re going beyond that using immersive technology like sound, lights and texture in more theatrical applications. We’re taking Christmas from something you look at to something you experience. n//