It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House: The halls have been decked with more than 165,000 holiday lights, 9,810 feet of ribbon, 83 trimmed trees, and over 28,125 ornaments, all with the help of approximately 300 elves — er, volunteers — who brought the winter wonderland to life in our nation’s capital.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, a “season of peace and light,” thousands of paper doves and drawings made by children around the country are also on display, as well as florals and fruits in the Diplomatic Reception Room as a “nod to the importance of hospitality and grace to peaceful diplomacy.” (Fun fact: This room opened to the general public for the first time this fall — and if it looks familiar to the history buffs out there, that’s because it was the site of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous fireside chats.)
The theme itself, as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wrote in a welcome letter to visitors in the 2024 White House Holiday Guidebook, is meant to represent the community we can find during times of celebration. “At the holidays, Americans come together every year in fellowship and faith, reminding us that we are stronger as a community than we are apart,” the letter states. “The strength of our country, and the soul of our nation, come from you. May the promise of this ‘Season of Peace and Light’ guide your path forward.”
Even the gingerbread White House is a sight to behold. It’s made with 25 sheets of gingerbread, 50 pounds of royal icing, and 45 pounds of chocolate. It carries on a tradition with roots dating all the way back to 1929, when first lady Lou Hoover used gingerbread to adorn a Christmas tree with edible men and horses. In the years since, the sweet treat has been deployed to make everything from teddy bears to cottages to milkmaids.
As stunning as the current displays are, White House decorations haven’t always been so grand. Just like us, first families prior to the 1900s held private celebrations with loved ones (and the occasional government official), hanging modest wreaths and garlands. The exception was President Andrew Jackson, who allegedly hosted an extravagant party for his children in 1835 that concluded with guests throwing cotton balls indoors for a makeshift snowball fight.
Today, however, you’ll find no such frugality — or boisterous cotton ball chucking. A tour of this year’s elegant decorations takes guests past the Gold Star Tree (representing all six military branches), through the suspended sleigh bells in the East Colonnade, and underneath the tranquil imitation snowfall in the East Room.
“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,” the welcome letter reads. “America’s story is your story, and we hope you feel at home here.”
The White House welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors each holiday season to see the festive scenes and (sweets) in person, but you can also admire the sparkling decor from afar via a video tour.
RELATED: Rockefeller Center Reveals 2024 Christmas Tree — See the 11-Ton Norway Spruce
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