WASHINGTON — A whimsical scene of trees, ribbons, and lights fills the columns and corners of the White House as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden ushered in her final holiday season at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
WUSA9 Anchor Lesli Foster was there for the unveiling of this year’s theme and a visit to a winter wonderland like no other.
The nation’s HOME for the holidays is aglow with the spirit of gratitude and goodwill.
This year’s theme: “A Season of Peace and Light.” It’s a message that reflects the America we hope to be.
First Lady Jill Biden captured the sentiments of the season in remarks shared with volunteers, military families and others to kick off the tours.
“In this world, at the end of each year, we hope to begin to turn toward our hope for tomorrow,” said Dr. Biden. “So, as we celebrate our final holiday season here in the White House we are guided by the values that we hold sacred, faith, family and service to our country, kindness to all of our neighbors and the power of community.”
From the bells that welcome visitors in the East Colonnade to the trees adorned in the Red Room and letters from children sent from around the nation to images of Americans holding hands in solidarity in the East Room and a canopy of doves in the hallways – there’s a thread through the rooms bringing the light of peace, love, and hope.
First Ladies typically lead the holiday decorating effort, leaving their mark through the halls and walls. Tradition and transition are part of the holiday transformation at The People’s House.
For First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, it was a final chance to put her touches on the season here and her legacy.
“As volunteers decorated during the holidays during the four years your laughter and ideas harmonized with the echoes of the past. And in those moments, this became more than a historic house,” Dr. Biden shared. “You made it a home alive with purpose and possibility. And that's why each year we've opened the doors of the people's house wider and wider so we can bring the light of more Americans into these halls.”
The imprint of Dr. Biden - the educator - is reflected in the library - with children’s books and in self-portraits of children on the trees in the State Dining Room… so they can see themselves in the experience.
For the first time, thanks to the First Lady, the Diplomatic Room is open for all to see.
As you look at the trees, you see one of the First Lady’s traditions of putting oranges in family stockings for good luck.
With touches from military families — just like hers. Hundreds of volunteers, including Beth Kingston - a military spouse from Annapolis - poured their hearts into every detail.
“A lot of the people don’t know most of these decorations, we handmade here in the White House over the last 72 hours,” said Kingston, about her second year participating.
Kingston was a co-leader of the decorations featured in the Diplomatic Room. As an Army Spouse and sponsor parent at the Naval Academy, she’s especially grateful to see the nation’s servicemen and women play a prominent role in this season’s greetings.
“There are pockets of military and military families, stories from military children, I just hope people remember these are the people that dedicated their lives to serving this country - and you can see that around you in this house and that is amazing,” said Kingston.
There are 83 trees here in the White House. The towering Gold Star Trees remind us in these times of the sacrifice we should remember all year round.
And, of course, any visit to see these most decked of halls must include a stop in the Blue Room.
A beaming, swirling carousel - holds the 18-and-a-half-foot-tall Fraser Fir from North Carolina.
This centerpiece of the season speaks to the resilience of both the community it came from post-Hurricane Helene and the nation.
The tour closes with a view of the Grand Foyer, sending off guests with reflections of unity along with hope and renewal for the future.
It takes a huge effort to bring the ideas of the First Lady and a team of designers to display for the nation, which includes:
- 9,800 feet of ribbon
- 28,000 ornaments
- More than 165,000 lights
- 300 volunteers across the country decorating inside and outside the White House
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit. To secure tickets for this year’s decorations, reach out to your Member of Congress.