Honoring Tradition: Wild Frontier Crafted and the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

As we reflect on 2024, Brandon and I are filled with immense pride and gratitude for what has been, without question, the greatest achievement in our journey so far: being selected to create the official ornaments for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we will treasure forever, and we’re honored to share the story with you.

A Piece of Alaska at the Nation’s Capitol

Each year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is chosen from a different national forest, and this year’s tree is from the breathtaking Tongass National Forest in Alaska—the largest national forest in the United States. Known as "The People’s Tree," the Capitol Christmas Tree tradition began in 1964, with a mission to represent the natural beauty of our country while uniting people across the states in celebration. As Alaskans, we are incredibly proud that the Tongass was selected to be part of this cherished holiday custom. It’s a unique opportunity to highlight Alaska’s awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife at the very heart of our nation’s capital.

Photo courtesy of the US Capitol Christmas Tree on Instagram

It All Began in Alaska

The journey started in April when we were tasked with creating 1,500 12-inch blank ornaments in the shapes of a salmon, a bear, and the outline of the state of Alaska. Brandon spent weeks in the shop cutting, sanding, and inspecting each ornament, ensuring they met his high quality standards. These ornaments were then sent across Alaska for kids and families to decorate during summer programs and events in the fall. Watching the creativity of Alaskans shine through these pieces was incredibly heartwarming and impressive--some of the results were true pieces of art!! 

Celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday

Midway through the year, we were honored again, this time to help celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday! For this special milestone, we were asked to craft 500 6-inch wooden ornaments featuring Smokey’s iconic face. Not only was this a nostalgic project that brought out the '90s kid in both of us, it was also another first, as we worked with the U.S. Forest Service to secure a licensing agreement, permitting us to use Smokey's likeness. Once we had these ready to go, kids across Alaska were given the chance to decorate these ornaments, carrying Smokey’s enduring message of wildfire prevention to a national stage.

Transforming the Logo into Art

Our final and most ambitious project came with bringing this year’s Capitol Tree logo to life. The logo, a complex collaborative design between a U.S. Forest Service employee and an Alaska Native artist, was already designed, but we were tasked with transforming the graphic into a three-dimensional piece. Using multiple layers of wood, we combined precise cuts, intricate engraving, and detailed hand-painting to handcraft 700 ornaments. I think we would call this a true labor of love, as the sheer volume of this project threatened to overwhelm us multiple times!

A National Spotlight

The culmination of these efforts was nothing short of magical. Watching the tree lighting ceremony online was surreal, knowing that our work was part of such a cherished national tradition. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, adorned with thousands of ornaments—including ours—was a beacon of holiday spirit and unity.

Even more rewarding was hearing from friends and customers who attended events across the country as the tree made its journey from the Tongass National Forest to Washington, D.C. Seeing posts and receiving messages filled with excitement and pride reminded us of the far-reaching impact of this project.

We also made our own special contribution by donating four giant 12-inch versions of some of our favorite designs from our own shop! Spotting these pieces in the background of photos and posts of the tree in D.C. was thrilling and deeply gratifying--especially knowing that the Architect of the Capitol had 80 FEET of tree to choose from... and he chose to place ours all at eye level of the public.

12" versions of Christmas Cardinal, Faith Can Move Mountains, Midnight Sun, and Stars Over Denali
 
(It's a little blurry, but you get the idea)

Building Partnerships

This project allowed us to build meaningful relationships with incredible partners like Alaska Geographic and the U.S. Forest Service. Working closely with our new friends, Joey, Rachael, and Annette, was a highlight of the experience—their enthusiasm and dedication made the collaboration truly special. From brainstorming to execution, their support and expertise were instrumental in bringing these ornaments to life. We’re also proud to have been featured in Alaska Geographic’s Waypoints newsletter, where our work on the Capitol Tree ornaments was showcased.

Gratitude and Reflection

This incredible project was more than a professional milestone; it was a personal journey of growth, creativity, and connection. It reminded us of the importance of community, both here in Alaska and across the nation. From the kids who decorated our ornaments to the families who gathered to witness the tree’s journey, this experience truly exemplified the spirit of the season for us.

As we look ahead to 2025, we carry the lessons and memories of this year’s project with us. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way. Your encouragement, enthusiasm, and love for our work inspire us every day.

Here’s to more adventures, meaningful projects, and the magic of creating together.

Happy New Year!!

Jenn & Brandon