White House East Room Christmas Decorations to honor America250 and the 250th anniversary of the United States 

National Christmas Tree Lighting and President’s Park to Feature America250 Tree – Marking the First-Ever Addition of a 59th Tree

Washington, DC (December 1, 2025) — As the nation prepares for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, this holiday season offers a moment to celebrate the present as well as and look ahead to next year’s once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Today, America250 announced its plans to close out 2025 with a historic lineup of festive events, setting the stage for a remarkable year to come.

This year, America250 will partner with various organizations including the White House, the National Parks Foundation and the White House Historical Association to participate in longstanding holiday traditions in our nation’s capital. These initiatives reflect America250’s commitment to creating the largest, most inspiring, and unifying commemoration in our nation’s history:

• This Christmas, the White House East Room is decorated to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States and reflect on the rich history that defines the American experience.
• For the first time, the National Parks Foundation will debut a dedicated America250 tree in President’s Park as part of the National Christmas Tree Lighting activation. This will be the first-ever additional tree beyond the traditional 58 trees. The ornaments are designed by winners of America’s Field Trip, a contest from America250 that invites students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on the question, “What does America mean to you?”
• For those looking for a special holiday keepsake, America250 recently launched the Official Commemorative Ornament of America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration in partnership with the White House Historical Association at Store.America250.org.

Christmas at the White House: America250 Featured in the East Room

As part of this year’s White House Christmas decorations, America250 will be featured in the East Room, where the holiday theme honors the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. As the official national organization charged by Congress with planning America’s Semiquincentennial, this is the latest way America250 will reach Americans of all ages through meaningful experiences that uplift our shared history and inspire unity.

As part of the official 2025 White House Christmas decorative theme, “Home Is Where The Heart Is,” the East Room highlights, “America, Our Home,” honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrates the ideals that have shaped the nation across generations. The decor incorporates the patriotic colors of the American flag and national symbols—including custom eagle toppers and tree boxes, the Great Seal, roses, and oak leaves. Together, these elements offer visitors a moment to reflect on the contributions of all Americans and consider the future we are building together.

“We are deeply honored that America250 is represented in this year’s White House holiday celebration,” said Jennifer Condon, Executive Vice President at America250. “The theme, ‘America, Our Home,’ beautifully reflects the spirit of unity, hope, and shared purpose that defines our nation. As we enter a truly historic year leading up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this holiday season offers an opportunity to reflect on what connects us as Americans—and to look ahead with excitement to the many ways we’ll come together to honor our past, celebrate our present, and imagine our future.”

America250’s presence in the East Room underscores the organization’s mission: to create a once-in-a-lifetime, unifying commemoration that engages people across all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C.—each of which has established its own Semiquincentennial Commission to help shape programming at the local level.

National Christmas Tree Lighting: Debuting the America250 Tree

At the National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, America250 will be represented with a dedicated tree displayed in President’s Park—marking the first time an additional tree has been added beyond the traditional 58 trees representing U.S. states, territories, the Bureau of Indian Education, and Department of Defense Education Activity.

The America250 tree features nearly two dozen ornaments designed by winners of America’s Field Trip, a signature America250 program that invites students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on the question, “What does America mean to you?” Their artwork highlights iconic landmarks, moments in history, and uniquely American values, offering visitors a glimpse of the Semiquincentennial through the eyes of the next generation.

The America250 tree will return next year, giving a new class of America’s Field Trip winners the opportunity to design ornaments for the 2026 display. Students nationwide are encouraged to enter this year’s contest by March 30 for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime field trip and be featured on next year’s America250 tree. Enter the contest and find more info at: america250.org/fieldtrip/.

Elegant 24K Gold-Finished Ornament Honors America’s History and Spirit Ahead of the Semiquincentennial

For those looking for a special holiday keepsake, America250 recently launched the Official Commemorative Ornament of America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration in partnership with the White House Historical Association. The limited-edition ornament honors the ideals of freedom, democracy, and unity that have shaped the nation since 1776. Proudly designed and made in the United States, the ornament is finished in 24-karat gold, features the text of the Declaration of Independence printed on authentic linen, and arrives in a keepsake box intended to be passed down for generations. For those interested in purchasing, the ornament is available at Store.America250.org.

About America250

America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.