Weekly Column: Idaho Students' Ornaments Adorn National Tree

This holiday season, the heart and creativity of Idaho students are on display in our nation’s capital. Students from Bickel Elementary School in Twin Falls designed ornaments to decorate our state’s tree beside the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. Their ornaments reflect the culture, beauty and wonder of our great state.

From Idaho’s mountains, rivers and wildlife to scenes of happy snowmen and people enjoying snowfall, the students depicted cherished pastimes and Idaho treasures in their artful ornaments. The ornament designs can be viewed at https://www.thenationaltree.org/ornaments/idaho/.

Each December, the National Christmas Tree is featured in President’s Park National Park Site in Washington, D.C. The National Christmas Tree is surrounded by trees representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia. And this year, an additional tree represents the United States of America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary. K-12 students from across the country designed the ornaments decorating the trees. On December 6, 2025, this year’s display opened to the public.

The creativity and sentiment of the students is emblematic of Idahoans’ holiday spirit. Holiday celebrations have become cherished traditions in communities across Idaho, for example:

• Christmas Trees--Cutting down a Christmas Tree in designated cutting areas on public lands has become a cornerstone of the holidays for many families. The Boise National Forest provides information, at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/boise/newsroom/releases/christmas-tree-permits-available-online-upcoming-holiday-season, about obtaining Christmas Tree permits, including opportunities for area fourth-grade students to apply for free Christmas Tree permits in coordination with the “Every Kid Outdoors” program. Similar information is available on websites for Idaho’s other national forests, and Christmas Tree permits can be purchased as available through Recreation.gov.

• Secret Santa--Those who watch the Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello-area news may be familiar with a longtime Secret Santa tradition, in which Nate Eaton with East Idaho News delivers gifts from an anonymous Secret Santa who fills the needs of deserving people in eastern Idaho. The giving spirit of Secret Santa is inspirational and a hope-filled reminder of what the Christmas season is all about. Touching videos of their stories and gifts can be viewed at https://www.eastidahonews.com/secret-santa/.

• Rupert Christmas Festival--Rupert, Idaho, is known as “Christmas City” for its Christmas Festival held in Rupert City Square. The festival includes a Christmas City Market with vendors, ice skating, caroling and food trucks. Information about the annual event is accessible at https://visitsouthidaho.com/rupert-christmas-festival/.

• Light Up Ceremonies--Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (https://cdadowntown.com/cda-events/lighting-ceremony/), is among the communities across the State that hold an Annual Lighting Ceremony Parade, and it is home to an annual Journey to the North Pole displaying the magic of the season. Similarly, Pocatello has a light parade and Christmas in the Night Time Skies event with bonfires and fireworks.

These are just a few of the beautiful Christmas traditions in communities across Idaho. And, as illustrated by the Idaho students’ ornaments, our homegrown Idaho good wishes overflow into communities beyond our state’s borders. As I wish you all a Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays, I hold in my heart those who may be struggling or are separated from loved ones this holiday season. I also thank the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation for helping showcase Idaho students’ creativity on the national stage this holiday season. May God bless you all.

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