Melania Trump unveils 2025 'Celebrating America' ornament line amid price scrutiny

Melania Trump released her 2025 holiday ornament collection ahead of the festive season, introducing the Celebrating America line on her website on Thursday. The limited-edition, handcrafted ornaments are designed to celebrate the United States and the upcoming 250th anniversary. Items in the collection include depictions of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore, as well as a star, an American flag and a star-spangled USA. Melania's signature is engraved on each piece, and purchases include a special 3D animated digital collectible.

In a statement provided to The Hill, she said, "I am excited to continue this annual holiday tradition with the Celebrating America collection of ornaments. This year, I sought inspiration in our Nation's upcoming 250th birthday, and all of the holiday blessings that we enjoy as Americans."

Reaction in social media was mixed. Supporters praised the designs and heralded displays of iconic American landmarks, while critics questioned the price tag. One commenter wrote, "I love Melania but these prices are out of range for the majority of workers... groceries are so high! Maybe put out a cheaper group for us! We are patriotic too!" Another added, "$75 to $90 dollars... We can't afford buy groceries and you want us to buy that?" A third observer said, "Too expensive for us normies!"

The conversation around the ornament line echoes a pattern seen last year, when the First Lady unveiled the 2024 collection, Merry Christmas, AMERICA!, and faced similar backlash over cost and accessibility. While supporters saw the items as celebratory keepsakes tied to a milestone year, critics argued that the price point placed them beyond reach for many Americans.

The Celebrating America collection is described as limited-edition, handcrafted, and designed to celebrate the nation and its upcoming milestone. In addition to metal and glass finishes, each ornament bears Melania Trump's engraved signature, and buyers receive a digital collectible intended to accompany the physical piece. The price range for the items—between $75 and $90—was cited in promotional materials, underscoring the tension between holiday luxury and affordability during a period of inflationary pressures for many households.

Beyond the price discussion, observers have noted the longevity of Melania Trump’s holiday projects as part of her public profile. In years past, her White House decorations drew widespread online attention, for better or worse, with some campaigns highlighting opulent displays while others mocked certain design choices. The 2017 and 2018 ensembles, for example, were widely discussed in media and on social platforms, moments that have lingered in public memory as part of the broader political and cultural context surrounding the former first family.

As the holiday season approaches, the new ornament line will be available for purchase on Melania Trump’s official site, where the designs are marketed as a fitting nod to national pride and a commemorative touch for the upcoming anniversary. Whether the collection resonates broadly with American shoppers may depend on how audiences weigh the balance between sentimentality, collectible value, and price during a year marked by ongoing economic and political debates.