Photo: lucky-photographer / iStock / Getty Images
Cutler Bay, FL - A Cutler Bay family-owned 3D printing business unknowingly produced custom ornaments that now hang on the 2025 White House Christmas Tree honoring Gold Star families.
A small South Florida business learned that a routine order placed in October was part of this year's holiday decorations at the White House.
Be 3D Printshop, a veteran owned and Latino owned company in Cutler Bay, was asked to manufacture 56 custom ornaments nearly six inches tall with a deadline of November 21st.
The owners, Joel and Aida Velez, later discovered the order had been placed on behalf of the White House and that their work had been installed on the 2025 White House Christmas Tree.
The Blue Room tree is dedicated to Gold Star families, which the White House says is meant to honor Americans who lost loved ones during active duty military service.
Officials stated that each ornament represents the official bird and flower of all 50 states as well as U.S. territories.
Be 3D Printshop was one of only two small businesses selected nationwide to help produce the ornaments, with the second business located in New York.
Joel and Aida moved from Puerto Rico 16 years ago and began the business after experimenting with 3D printing.
The idea expanded in 2022 when Joel created a lithophane night light in memory of their dog Davinci.
After the design was posted online, demand for their work grew and the shop quickly developed.
Because the original White House ornament designs are copyrighted, the shop is not permitted to sell replicas, but it now offers its own versions inspired by the project.
The owners say the ornaments aim to capture the same style and meaning found on the Blue Room tree.