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Photos show Jill Biden's final White House Christmas decorations as first lady

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By: Talia Lakritz
2 December 2024 at 09:50
The East Room of the White House decorated for the holidays.
The White House is decked out for the holidays

Susan Walsh/AP

  • On Monday, Jill Biden unveiled her final White House Christmas decorations as first lady.
  • The theme of the decor was "A Season of Peace and Light."
  • The decorations feature tributes to fallen soldiers, a gingerbread White House, and paper doves.

Jill Biden unveiled her final White House Christmas decorations as first lady on Monday, centered on the theme "A Season of Peace and Light."

"As we celebrate our final holiday season here in the White House, we are guided by the values we hold sacred: faith, family, service to our country, kindness towards our neighbors, and the power of community and connection," the president and first lady wrote in the 2024 White House Holiday Guide.

Next holiday season, former first lady Melania Trump is expected to once again oversee the White House holiday decor during President-elect Donald Trump's second term.

Take a look at how the White House is decked out for the holidays.

A starlight hanging above the East Wing entrance welcomes guests to the White House.
The East Entrance of the White House decorated for the holidays.
The East entrance of the White House.

Susan Walsh/AP

The entire display features 83 Christmas trees, 9,810 feet of ribbon, 28,125 ornaments, and 165,075 holiday lights.

Visitors are greeted by a horse-drawn sleigh in the East Garden Room.
The East Garden Room of the White House decorated for the holidays with a horse-drawn sleigh.
The East Garden Room.

Susan Walsh/AP

The East Entrance also features the Gold Star Tree, which pays tribute to fallen soldiers. A tree constructed from six gold stars represents the six branches of the military, and gold star ornaments on the surrounding Christmas trees feature the names of fallen soldiers.

The East Colonnade is draped in sleigh bells and brass bells.
The East Colonnade of the White House decorated for the holidays.
The East Colonnade.

Susan Walsh/AP

The bells are meant to evoke "the peaceful sounds of the holiday season," according to the 2024 White House Holiday Guide.

Vintage ceramic Christmas trees adorn the White House Library.
The Library of the White House decorated for Christmas.
The Library.

Susan Walsh/AP

As first lady, Jill Biden added a collection of children's books to the Library, which holds 2,700 books.

The China Room is full of artisanal loaves of bread amid bunches of holly.
The China Room in the White House decorated for the holidays.
The China Room.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The China Room holds tableware sets from past presidents.

The Diplomatic Reception Room features holiday-themed floral displays and fruit, symbols of hospitality.
The Diplomatic Reception room of the White House decorated for the Holidays.
The Diplomatic Reception Room.

Susan Walsh/AP

Jill Biden opened the Diplomatic Reception Room to the public for the first time as part of her reimagined White House tours.

The decorations on the ceiling of the East Room evoke falling snow.
The East Room decorated for the holidays.
The East Room.

Susan Walsh/AP

The East Room also features a Nativity scene with figurines dating back to the 1700s.

In the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree stands surrounded by a carousel with the names of every US state and territory.
The White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room.
The Blue Room.

Susan Walsh/AP

This year, the official White House Christmas tree is an 18-and-a-half foot Fraser fir from North Carolina.

The Blue Room's chandelier has to be removed every year to accommodate the giant trees.

The paper chain garlands in the State Dining Room were created by families of service members aboard two Navy vessels, USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords.
The State Dining Room in the White House decorated for the holidays.
The State Dining Room.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

Jill Biden is a sponsor of both Navy ships.

The State Dining Room also houses the gingerbread White House created by White House executive pastry chef Susan Morrison.
The gingerbread White House in the State Dining Room.
The gingerbread White House in the State Dining Room.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

In keeping with the "Season of Peace and Light" theme, a starburst shines above the gingerbread house.

White paper doves hang on the Christmas tree in the Red Room, symbolizing peace.
The Red Room of the White House decorated for the holidays.
The Red Room.

Susan Walsh/AP

The room is also decorated with children's drawings sent to the Bidens from across the US.

The Cross Hall features more doves leading into the Grand Foyer.
Trees in the East Room frame the Cross Hall of the White House decorated for the holidays.
The Cross Hall.

Susan Walsh/AP

The official White House Menorah is also on display in the Cross Hall.

In the Grand Foyer, a vintage red truck is loaded with presents.
The Grand Foyer in the White House decorated for the holidays.
The Grand Foyer.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

A teddy bear sits in the front seat.

It takes 300 volunteers working over one week to decorate the White House for the holidays.
The Center Hall in the White House decorated for the holidays.
The Center Hall.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

"It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady," the Bidens wrote in the White House Holiday Guide. "Our hope is for the Nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season."

Read the original article on Business Insider

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