Monday 28 November 2022 03:32 PM Jill Biden unveils White House Christmas decorations trends now
Jill Biden brought the people back to the 'People's House' with this year's White House Christmas decorations theme.
With the executive mansion open for holiday tours again now that the COVID pandemic is slowing down, the first lady picked 'We the People' to star in the decor, which features do-it-yourself style adornments and mirrors to reflect the visitors who walk through the halls.
More than 50,000 people are expected to tour the White House this holiday season, according to the East Wing.
The decorations include 77 Christmas trees, including three dedicated to Gold Star Families. There are 83,615 holiday lights that decorate the trees, garlands, wreaths, and displays around the mansion with 25 classic wreaths adorning the north and south facades of the White House.
The main White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room features the state birds of each state and the bottom is a nest constructed out of real wood
First pets Commander and Willow bookend the fireplace in the East Room, which has stockings featuring the Biden grandchildren
The traditional White House Gingerbread house along with a gingerbread reconstruction of Independence Hall in a nod to the 'We the People' theme
The entrance hall allows visitors to 'walk through the snow' where Commander and Willow decorations await to greet them
Three of the 77 White House Christmas trees are dedicated to Gold Star families
The fireplace mantel in the China Room is decorated with hand-written recipe cards given by the volunteers who helped decorate the White House for the holidays
The main Christmas tree in the Blue Room is decorated with the birds of each state. The base of the tree is a nest made of real wood. East state placard gives the name of the state bird. Wooden bird houses also adorn the 19-foot white fir.
In the State Dining room, the stockings on the fireplace feature the names of the Bidens' grandchildren. And, for the first time, there is a stocking for Peter Neal, whom Naomi Biden married last weekend.
There are also stockings for first dog Commander and first cat Willow. The pets pop up three times in various locations throughout the White House decor.
The trees in the State Dining Room are a nod to Jill Biden's roots as a teacher. The ornaments on the trees are self-portraits created by the students of the 2021 Teachers of the Year from across the country.
The traditional Gingerbread White House includes 20 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 30 sheets of gingerbread dough, 100 pounds of pastillage, 30 pounds of chocolate, and 40 pounds of royal icing.
Joining it is a gingerbread recreation of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed.
It's one of the many nods to the 'We the People' theme throughout the state rooms. In the library, the preamble to the United States Constitution is written on paper banners decorating the windows.
'The Soul of our Nation is - and always has been - “We the People.” And that is what inspired this year’s White House holiday decorations,' Jill Biden will say later Monday when she thanks the more than 150 volunteers who
