The Bidens Are Going All Out for Their Last White House Christmas—See Inside
The beginning of the holiday season is a flurry of activity: Finding the best Black Friday shopping deals, spending those final moments with family before returning to work, and, of course, decorating for Christmas. Across the nation, people are unboxing their ornaments and putting up their evergreen trees—and the White House is no different.
On December 2, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden revealed the White House Christmas decorations for the final time in President Biden's term. For 2024, the First Lady chose a theme for the decorations that serves as a reminder of feelings we could all use right now: “a season of peace and light.” From the entrance to the West Wing and all along the corridors, the First Lady pulled out all the stops for her final decorations.
In a statement from the White House, the President and First Lady said, “The holidays have always held a special place in our hearts, and we’ve loved opening the doors of the People’s House wider and wider each year, continuing the spirit of goodwill and gratitude. America’s story is your story, and we hope you feel at home here. As we celebrate our final holiday season here in the White House, we are guided by the values we hold sacred: faith, family, service to our country, kindness towards our neighbors, and the power of community and connection.”
This year, the White House features 83 Christmas trees spread across more than 12 rooms and halls. According to the White House press room, this year's decorations boast approximately 9,810 feet of ribbon, over 28,125 ornaments, and more than 2,200 faux doves. Adding to the festive atmosphere, over 165,075 twinkling holiday lights adorn the trees, garlands, wreaths, and displays. Explore the Bidens' enchanting holiday showcase, including highlights like the gold star tree, the East Wing, and the library—all resonating with the theme of peace and light.
See White House decorations of years past:
The East Wing
The place where guests and tour participants enter, the East Wing Entrance greets people with a rotating starlight and six towering Christmas trees. In the lobby, a tranquil scene of winter foliage provides a calm transition indoors.
The Gold Star Tree
As is tradition, each year a tree is dedicated to the Gold Star Families—those who have lost a service member in combat. This year, a towering, stacked tree was chosen in place of a traditional evergreen. There are six gilded tiers, one for each branch of the United States military. Adorning the spruces behind the primary tree are golden star ornaments, each inscribed with the name of a fallen service member.
State Dining Room
Dr. Jill Biden invited families of the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords (two of the naval vessels the First Lady sponsors) to provide the paper chain garlands that adorn the tree as well as the rest of the room. On the tree are self-made portraits of students from around the country.
The East Room
Wrapping the ceiling of The East Room is a reflective canopy designed to mimic the peaceful feelings of winter snowfall. The bases of the silver-and-white decorated trees are stands illuminated with the silhouettes of people holding hands, furthering the Bidens' message of peace and unity.
The Blue Room
Always the home of the White House's official Christmas tree, the Blue Room is adorned with colorful lights this year. The tree, decked out to look like a festive carousel, is an 18.5-foot Fraser fir from North Carolina.
The Green Room
Aligned with the room's iconic color scheme, both the tree and mantel garland are adorned with green string lights. Reflective ornaments and prisms enhance the ambiance by casting a soft, verdant glow throughout the space. (Fun fact: This room once served as Thomas Jefferson's dining room.)
The Vermeil Room
This year, The Vermeil Room's decorations are dedicated to floral displays, both real and fake. Faux florals adorn the tree and garlands while paper blooms and petal trees serve as table centerpieces.
The Red Room
Complementing the room's already festive color scheme, this year, the Red Room is decorated with paper doves carrying messages of peace. Children from across the country sent in drawings to be featured in this room's display.
The Library
Filled with ceramic Christmas trees, The White House Library is adorned with all the colors of the holiday season. Wooden display stands and evergreen garlands provide a cheerful foundation to showcase the craftsmanship of the ceramics.
Diplomatic Reception Room
Just incorporated this fall as part of the public White House tour, the Diplomatic Reception Room is the newest for Dr. Biden to decorate. Holiday florals and fruits are used in the decorations as a nod to the importance of peaceful diplomacy and welcoming hospitality.
The Gingerbread White House
A fan-favorite decoration for years, this year's annual gingerbread White House includes a festive scene of ice skaters on a miniature South Lawn. The White House press room provided some tasty facts and figures for this year's culinary creation, stating 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 65 pounds of pastillage (sugar paste), 45 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing, and 10 pounds of gum paste were used to construct the edible replica.
The East Colonnade
Hundreds of brass bells are hung from the ceiling down the hallways of the East Colonnade, offering a twinkling reminder of the peaceful holiday sounds. Gold tinsels and garlands arch over the ceilings to create a festive walkway.
The Grand Foyer
As guests depart from the White House, the last room they experience is the Grand Foyer. It's elegantly adorned with hundreds of faux doves, symbolizing peace worldwide. A toy truck on display carries gifts to represent presents for the children of the United States. The space is further enhanced by traditional evergreens, adorned with warm white lights and red and gold ornaments, which gracefully flank the exit doors.
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