You Can Check Out the White House Christmas Decorations Through a Virtual Tour

You are formally invited to attend the Biden family’s Christmas celebrations in the White House this year — along with every other presidential holiday celebration since the JFK administration. Thanks to a virtual tour headed by the White House Historical Association, the general public can take a peek at how Bidens and presidents of yore have decorated the People’s House for the holidays.

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting holiday themes for the White House back in 1961, choosing “The Nutcracker” as the inspiration for her design. This year, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden have chosen the theme “Gifts from the Heart,” which honors the things that bring us together after a tough year caused by the pandemic. Decorations this year represent community, goodwill, and the joy of learning.

The White House is decorated by a team of over 200 volunteers. They usually begin their decorating the day after Thanksgiving, though planning starts in early March. 

This year, Dr. Biden and the volunteers crafted a giant stack of presents surrounding the East Wing Entrance, iridescent dove mobiles that hang in the East Colonnade windows, and lush garlands and topiaries that line the Ground Floor Corridor — and that’s just naming a select few of this year’s decorations. 

Keep in mind that each room that is decorated has at least one fully-adorned Christmas tree. And the Blue Room Christmas tree is a giant Fraser fir standing at just over 18 feet tall, bedecked with doves carrying ribbons with the names of all 50 states on them.

You can check out the entire spread of holiday goodness at the White House via the Holidays at the White House virtual online tour or you can access the tour when you download the White House Experience mobile app.