The Office of the First Lady is inviting members of the public to submit handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree, which will be displayed in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol starting with a tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 29.
First Lady Kjersti Armstrong has selected “Kindness” as the theme of this year’s State Christmas Tree. Submitted ornaments can vary from traditional to contemporary arts. Items that are commercially produced or made from kits are not eligible.
Designers are free to create ornaments in any shape or medium of their choosing. Each ornament should include the name of the person entering it, their email address and a brief one- or two-line description of the ornament, including the art form used and the special circumstances through which it was created, such as a class or senior center project.
Ornaments must be received in the Office of Management and Budget office no later than Nov. 23. The ornaments become the property of the Office of the First Lady and may be hung on the state tree in ensuing years. Mail ornaments to State of North Dakota, Office of Management and Budget, Julie Strom, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND, 58505.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti invite the public to join them for the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Capitol, this year with new activities including Northern Lights Reindeer, Grandpa Al’s Hayrides, Caroling, Copper Dog Hot Chocolate, Christmas cookies, and more.
The Christmas kickoff at the Capitol begins at 3:00 p.m., with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
Attendees are also encouraged to bring hats and gloves to donate to Missouri Slope Areawide United Way.