It's that time of year! As per usual, the White House has gone all out for the Christmas season, with first lady Jill Biden selecting the theme, "Gifts From the Heart," for both the indoor and outdoor Christmas décor. This is President Joe Biden and the first lady's first Christmas in the White House, and their casual, family-oriented style is evident in the Christmas decorations they chose for various areas of the famous abode.
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As is typical for the White House Christmas decorations, the first lady spent months making choices on how to execute the Christmas theme in each public room of the White House. From personally selecting photos to display to making sure each of the Biden grandchildren has a stocking hung, not a detail was missed. Keep scrolling to see some of the beautiful, festive White House holiday décor.
There was a clear intention for the theme.
The intention of the White House Christmas decorations theme is to highlight "things that unite and heal, and bring us together," East Wing Communications Director Elizabeth Alexander told CNN.
It's been in the works for months.
Planning for the White House Christmas decorations began in the early weeks of summer, roughly six months after Joe Biden took office and he and Dr. Jill Biden moved into the White House. The first lady has worked closely with the East Wing team.
'Acts of kindness' were a big part of the inspiration.
"Inspired by the small acts of kindness and experiences that lifted our spirits this year and throughout the pandemic, rooms throughout the White House are decorated to reflect the Gifts from the Heart that unite us all," reads a statement from the White House.
The 'gifts' that are highlighted are quite specific.
Dr. Biden and the East Wing team chose 11 specific, nonmaterial "gifts" to celebrate with the White House Christmas decorations: faith, community, family, friendship, learning, nature, gratitude, service, peace, unity, and the arts.
The exterior is simple and classic.
The White House almost always boasts a classic Christmas look during the holiday season, and the Bidens did not stray from that. The exterior is elegantly decorated with fresh wreaths and white string lights.
Dr. Biden happily accepted the official White House Christmas tree.
The first lady accepted the official White House Christmas tree on Monday, November 22, 2021, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. It is an 18.5-foot Fraser fir that was delivered from North Carolina and arrived at the White House in an ornate carriage, as has been White House tradition for over 50 years.
It is being displayed in the Blue Room.
The official White House Christmas tree is being displayed in the Blue Room and has been adorned with bright white lights, white ribbon, silver ornaments, and what appear to be white peace doves made out of paper.
The official tree is far from the only tree.
According to the White House, 41 trees have been used throughout the White House, as well as about 6,000 feet of ribbon, more than 300 candles, and over 10,000 ornaments. That's not to mention nearly 80,000 lights.
Bright colors are a major theme.
In celebration of the arts, the Vermeil Room has been decked out in bright colors, with vibrant gerbera daisies, paint-dipped paint brushes decorating wreaths, and a tree decorated with Pantone color samples.
The East Room is all about thankfulness.
In the East Room, Christmas trees are decorated with white lights, blue and green ornaments, and thank-you notes. Oversized thank-you cards are also displayed, as well as the White House's 18th-century Neapolitan crèche, which has been displayed every year during the holidays since 1967.
The Center Hall is adorned with thick garlands.
The White House's Center Hall is covered in gorgeous, thick evergreen garlands entwined with white string lights and red accents, creating quite a traditional Christmas feel in the already grand space.
The Red Room also honors the arts.
The Red Room has been decorated to celebrate the performing arts and features an assortment of brass instruments hanging from the mantel, drum-shaped tree stands, and an assortment of ballet slippers, musical notes, and tap shoes adorning the tree. The room also features two cranberry topiaries, which is a White House tradition.
The East Colonnade's Christmas decorations have a modern feel.
The White House's East Colonnade is decorated with a "gifts of service" theme for the holidays and features a much more modern look than many of the other spaces. Iridescent dove cutouts and shooting star ornaments are strung throughout, in celebration of frontline workers and first responders.
The State Dining Room's décor celebrates family.
In the White House's State Dining Room, where the first lady welcomed a group of children for a puppet show the day the holiday décor was unveiled, the theme is family. This room is traditionally decorated in red and gold, and the Christmas tree is bedecked with photos of former first families, selected by Dr. Biden herself.
The China room is vibrant and festive.
The White House's China Room is one of our favorite spaces this holiday season. It's decorated to celebrate friendship and sharing. The tree is draped in garlands depicting intertwined hands, a festive wreath is hung from each dining chair, and evergreen garlands and bright floral arrangements are used to tie everything together.
