First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled this year’s White House Christmas decorations, with a theme called ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’.
The official White House Christmas tree has also changed location after the East Wing was torn down to make way for Donald Trump’s beloved ballroom.
The official tree pays homage to Gold Star families, those who have lost a loved one during active military service.
Trees covered in red, white and blue, national symbols, eagles and more are a nod to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
51 Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, 25,000 feet of ribbon and 2,000 strands of light have lit up the White House.
‘In every community, we are lifted by simple acts of kindness that reflect the enduring American spirit of generosity, patriotism, and gratitude,’ the White House said.
‘These moments remind us that the heart of America is strong and that Home Is Where The Heart Is.
Here are all the details of the decor, hand-selected by Melania, that you need to know.
Lego portrait and painting of Trump’s assassination attempt
Starting off strong, we have a LEGO portrait of President Donald Trump’s official portrait, with his eyebrow raised in a serious expression.
On the table adjacent to the Trump Lego portrait, one of George Washington sits stoically.
In the Cross Hall of the White House, there’s a hand-painted piece of President Trump pumping his fist into the air after his assassination attempt last year.
Nearby, more than six trees line the halls with LED lights, red bows and dark red presents.
Blue butterfly tree
In the Red Room of the White House, Christmas decor adorned with 10,000 blue butterflies is meant to represent the youth of America.
They’re also a nod to Melania’s ‘Fostering the Future’ initiative, which works to support youngsters in foster care.
Hand-painted ornaments adorn the trees in the Red Room, and the blue butterfly also represents hope.
Melania’s ‘creative artist’, Herve Pierre, told FOX: ‘As we began discussing Christmas decorations, the butterfly emerged as a prominent theme, as it symbolises renewal, resilience, and new beginnings for the foster care community.
‘It was clear that the blue butterfly was the perfect choice to fulfil Mrs Trump’s creative vision for her Christmas-themed Be Best Room.’
A White House made entirely of gingerbread
The cherry on top of this year’s decor was the annual White House gingerbread house.
It showed a glimpse into the Yellow Oval Room for the first time, fit with small bookshelves, couches and a fireplace, all made of food.
This year, the detailed rendering showed trees with snow, wreaths on each little window and American flags flying on flagpoles.
More than 120 pounds of gingerbread were used in the rendering, and other smaller gingerbread homes around the White House.
What did previous White House Christmases look like under Trump?
Each year, the Christmas decor varies in the White House according to the First Lady and their personal tastes.
In previous years, Melania opted for snow-covered Christmas trees, detailed white, branched bushes, and gold ribbon on the Fraser firs.
In 2018, her choice of decor raised some eyebrows. The trees, made entirely of red berries, led some to compare them to enslaved women in The Handmaid’s Tale.
That year, Melania used red as a main colour in most of her decor – the baubles, ribbon and the berry trees.
Her last time decorating the White House in 2020 was themed ‘America the Beautiful’, and featured custom stockings for herself, Donald and Barron.
Melania was secretly recorded expressing exasperation with criticism of her decorating efforts in 2017, saying: ‘Who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff and decoration, but I need to do it right?’
The remark was recorded by the first lady’s former aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff in July 2018.
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