How much Christmas décor does it take to fill the White House with holiday spirit? This year, it’s 75 red-bowed wreaths, more than 50 Christmas trees, 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon and 10,000 butterflies fill the halls, turning the historic mansion into a festive celebration.
For first lady Melania Trump, “Home is Where the Heart is” sets the tone for the 2025 White House Christmas theme.
The first lady drew creative inspiration from “the joys, challenges, and frequent motion derived from motherhood and business,” according to an email sent to the Deseret News.
“The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” the first lady reflected. “This Christmas, let’s celebrate the love we hold within ourselves, and share it with the world around us. After all, wherever we are, we can create a home filled with grace, radiance and endless possibilities.”
The State Dining Room hosts the annual Gingerbread House, this year made with over 120 pounds of gingerbread.
Christmas at the White House also nods to a unique milestone: the nation’s 250th anniversary. Patriotic displays in the East Room incorporate red, white and blue motifs. The Green Room features two presidential portraits made of more than 6,000 puzzle pieces, giving “families the chance to be challenged, have fun and use their imagination together,” a White House email details.
In the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree rises 18 feet tall. The concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan, is decorated with gold stars honoring Gold Star Families and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of every U.S. state and territory, symbolizing the resilience and bravery of military personnel and their families, according to a White House press email.
The first Christmas tree in the White House appeared in 1889, under President Benjamin Harrison and his family, according to the White House Historical Association.
Over the years, first ladies have chosen themes that reflect different personal values or periods in the nation’s history. For instance, Laura Bush’s 2002 theme, “All Creatures Grand and Small” highlighted her love of animals, while her 2008 theme, “A Red, White and Blue Christmas,” was inspired by letters from Americans following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, per the White House Historical Association.
In 2010, Michelle Obama chose the theme “Simple Gifts,” emphasizing that some of the most meaningful gifts do not cost anything.
