Carson City School District students got into the holiday spirit early this year as they decorated hand-crafted ornaments for the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Each year, the U.S. Forest Service partners with a different state to provide the official Christmas tree that stands on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This year, the tree will come from Nevada, giving local students a unique opportunity to contribute their creativity to a national tradition.
Carson City students have been working with their teachers to design and decorate ornaments that reflect Nevada’s diverse culture, landscapes, history and people. The ornaments, which will adorn the Capitol Christmas Tree and smaller companion trees displayed throughout Washington, D.C., showcase themes ranging from Nevada’s mountains and deserts to its wildlife and pioneering spirit.
For the first time, the tree will come from Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The tree, named “Silver Belle,” is a 53-foot red fir that will be harvested from the Carson Ranger District.
All ornaments were all made from natural, recyclable and repurposed materials. The deadline for submitting ornaments was September 15. Across the state, more than 10,000 handmade ornaments were collected. The ornaments from students in Carson City will be shipped to Washington, D.C., where they will be carefully placed on the tree before its official lighting ceremony in late November.
The Capitol Christmas Tree, often referred to as the “People’s Tree,” has been a holiday tradition since 1964. In addition to the large ornaments made by Nevada students, thousands of smaller decorations are being crafted by community members across the state. Together, these ornaments will highlight Nevada’s story and spread holiday joy from coast to coast.
