Wanted: West Virginia Made Christmas Ornaments for the 2023 US Capitol Tree

Monongahela National Forest invites everyone to create an Endlessly Wild and Wonderful handmade ornament for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Donated ornaments will adorn the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and smaller trees that will be showcased this holiday season in Washington, D.C.

“Each year a national forest is selected to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and the residents of that state are asked to decorate it with ornaments that celebrate their state,” said Amy Albright, 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project Manager. “We need your help creating handmade ornaments that capture the diversity of people, places, plants, and animals that make West Virginia so special.”

Two types of ornaments are needed:

• Approximately 3,000 large ornaments that are brightly colored and weatherproof to withstand wind, rain and snow.
• Nearly 9,000 smaller ornaments that are lightweight and colorful. Weatherproofing is not needed as they will be indoors.

The deadline to receive ornaments is Sept. 1, 2023. Mail them to U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins WV 26241 or drop them off at any Monongahela National Forest office: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/about-forest/offices.

Surplus crafting, sewing, and clean recyclable materials that can be used to make ornaments are also needed and will be used at schools, youth groups, senior centers, and at events all around the state. Drop off your surplus materials at any Monongahela National Forest office.

Participants are asked to use natural, recyclable, and repurposed materials to create these ornaments. Sharp materials that would pose a danger to people decorating the trees or could cut or nick tree lighting wires should not be used. Ornaments may not include commercial logos or be divisive or offensive. Ornaments cannot be returned. For more information about ornament sizes, requirements, and examples visit: www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/make-an-ornament.

Contact Julie Fosbender at julie.fosbender@usda.gov or (304) 635-4446 for additional information about creating U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree ornaments and how your group or community can get involved.

Monongahela National Forest has partnered with the nonprofit organization Choose Outdoors to assist in the creation of a year-long conservation education campaign about the multi-use mission of the Forest Service and the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The initiative is made possible with support from the presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber, and with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, along with vital support from volunteers locally and across America.