A week after welcoming the official White House Christmas tree, First Lady Melania Trump unveiled the White House holiday decorations on Monday, showcasing a theme of “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” The display also pays tribute to next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, celebrating the nation’s founding, according to the Associated Press.
This year’s official White House Christmas tree will honor Gold Star families, remembering those who lost a loved one during active-duty military service. The tree will be placed in the Blue Room of the main residence, rather than its traditional location in the East Wing, which was demolished to make way for a new ballroom.
Public tours of the White House, which were suspended during the ballroom construction, are set to resume Tuesday along a revised route restricted to the State Floor. Visitors will see the East Room, the Green, Blue, and Red Rooms, the State Dining Room, the Cross Hall, and the Grand Foyer. The East Room decorations feature red, white, and blue accents and national symbols, including golden eagle tree toppers, highlighting the upcoming America250 national celebration. Trees throughout the White House are adorned with stars, roses, and oak leaves. According to the White House, every element of the décor was personally selected by the First Lady.
Tens of thousands of guests are expected for holiday tours, receptions, and parties this month. A dedicated team of volunteer decorators helped transform the Executive Mansion with 75 wreaths, 51 Christmas trees, more than 700 feet of garland, over 2,000 strands of lights, 25,000 feet of ribbon, 2,800 gold stars, 10,000 butterflies, and 120 pounds of gingerbread.
