83 Christmas Trees and 28,000 Ornaments: A Closer Look at the White House Holiday Decorations
«Season of Peace and Light»
The holiday season is in full swing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As per tradition, the decoration of the U.S. President’s residence was spearheaded by the First Lady, Jill Biden. This year, the White House was adorned under the theme «Season of Peace and Light».
The decorations include 83 Christmas trees, over 3,000 meters of ribbon, 28,000 ornaments, and thousands of decorative doves.
This marks the final holiday season that Joe and Jill Biden will spend in the President’s official residence in Washington.
«As we celebrate our final festive season here at the White House, we are guided by values we hold sacred: faith, family, service to our country, kindness toward our neighbors, and the strength of community», noted Jill Biden.
The decorations were designed by event planner Bryan Rafanelli, who previously created holiday decor for Michelle Obama.
Upon entering the East Wing of the White House, visitors are greeted by a giant gold star.
In the same wing stands the Gold Star Tree, made up of six large stars representing the six branches of the U.S. military. The stars honor fallen service members, with their names engraved upon them.
The arches of the East Colonnade are adorned with bells, evoking the cheerful jingling of Santa’s sleigh.
Particular attention is drawn to the White House’s main Christmas tree in the Blue Room. Rafanelli described it as a «Carousel of Light», in line with this year’s theme.
«It is illuminated with lights, moving horse figurines, and other accents, such as Willow the cat – the Bidens’ beloved family pet», said Rafanelli.
It’s worth noting that Jill Biden and Bryan Rafanelli’s decorations have been praised for their elegant and thoughtful design. Social media users were quick to compare them with the Christmas decor chosen by Melania Trump during her time as First Lady. For example, in 2018, she commissioned an installation of 40 crimson trees that were widely criticized for appearing more eerie than festive. Perhaps her aesthetic preferences have evolved over the years, and she may surprise us yet in the future!
Photo: @whitehouse
