The lighting ceremony for the Christmas trees at the White House and Capitol Hill in the United States in 2025 will take place on the afternoon of December 4 (Thursday). The White House Christmas tree is a 25-foot white fir from Michigan (indoors) and a 32-foot red spruce from Virginia, while a 53-foot red fir named “Silver Belle” from Nevada has been selected as this year’s Capitol Hill Christmas tree.
According to a White House press release, on November 24, the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, received the white fir from Korson’s Tree Farms in Michigan. On December 1, she unveiled the 2025 White House Christmas decorations, with this year’s theme being “Home Is Where the Heart Is.”
“This nomadic lifestyle has taught me that home is not just a physical space; it is where you feel warmth and comfort no matter where you are,” Melania Trump said. “Let us celebrate love in our hearts and share it with the world. Wherever we are, we can create a home full of elegance, splendor, and endless possibilities.”
The White House is adorned with 75 of Mrs. Trump’s iconic floral wreaths tied with classic red bows; more than 50 Christmas trees, 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and 10,000 butterflies are displayed inside the White House.
In the Red Room, blue butterflies on the Christmas tree symbolize “change and renewal, perfectly capturing the essence of Christmas”; in the East Room, a Christmas tree decorated with designs commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence stands; and the State Dining Room showcases a 120-pound gingerbread house.
The Blue Room houses the official White House Christmas tree adorned with gold stars and ornaments representing the state flowers and birds of the United States to “honor the Gold Star families and pay tribute to the resilience, bravery, and sacrifice of our military and their families.”
In July, Korson’s Tree Farms in Michigan was awarded the title of “Champion Growers” by the National Christmas Tree Association. The winners of this annual competition have been responsible for providing the official White House Christmas tree for nearly sixty years, with the last tree from the state being a blue spruce nearly 41 years ago in 1985.
Rex Korson, the owner of Korson’s Tree Farms, said in an interview, “We are honored to represent Christmas tree growers from across America and continue the tradition of providing a true Christmas tree for the White House.” The farm, established by Korson’s parents in 1973, is located in Sidney Township, Montcalm County, Michigan. In 2015, the farm received second place and provided the official Christmas tree for the Vice President’s residence.
The 32-foot red spruce from George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Highland County, Virginia, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, is now standing on the White House Ellipse. Forest Supervisor, Job Timm, said, “We are honored to once again provide the National Christmas tree for the White House as a symbol of hope and unity during the holiday season.”
“This beautiful 32-foot red spruce holds special significance for the central Appalachian region, bearing witness to the resilience and adaptability of our community service,” Timm said, as the Forest Service partners with initiatives like the Southern Appalachian Red Spruce Restoration Project to strengthen the planting and restoration efforts of red spruce forests in the eastern states.
The 53-foot red fir named “Silver Belle” from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada has arrived at Washington D.C. after a journey of about three weeks and over 2,500 miles, and has been erected on the west lawn of Capitol Hill. Thousands of handmade Christmas ornaments will be adorned on the “Silver Belle” tree, along with thousands of twinkling lights.
This is the first official Christmas tree from Nevada in the history of Capitol Hill. The state is known as the “Silver State” due to its rich history of silver mining. The “Silver Belle” spruce was chosen as “The People’s Tree” last year. On November 1, it was placed on an extra-long trailer with banners hanging on its sides, traveling through various states before reaching Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.