What a difference a presidency makes.
First lady Melania Trump decked the White House halls with the theme “Home is Where the Heart Is,” featuring an assortment of decorations intended to showcase American “generosity, patriotism, and gratitude.”
The glitzy White House decorations include more than 10,000 blue butterflies, 25,000 feet of ribbons, 2,000 strands of light, 2,800 gold stars, 700 feet of garland, 120 pounds of gingerbread, 51 Christmas trees, and 75 classic Christmas wreaths.
The theme of this year’s White House Christmas decorations is “Home is Where the Heart Is.” Getty Images
The Red Room of the White House is chock full of blue butterflies. AP
Fresh Christmas trees line the hall in front of a painting commemorating the 2024 assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. AFP via Getty Images
“The saying ‘Home is Where the Heart is’ resonates deeply with me, especially as I navigate the joys, challenges, and frequent motion that comes with motherhood and business,” Melania Trump explained.
“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 traditional theme and classy video about the decor came in stark contrast to then-President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who invited “woke” tap dancers to prance around the White House during his Christmas display.
The Bidens also decorated the White House with a carousel, which the Trump administration pointed out on Monday in a side-by-side comparison.
“Biden (Circus) vs. Trump (Elegance). Dignity has been restored,” a White House account posted.
Historically, tours of the White House Christmas decor would begin in the East Wing, the domain of the first ladies.
Decorations in the East Room are patriotic and honor the service men and women who died protecting the US. ZUMAPRESS.com
The first lady gave a nod to her “Be Best” initiative in some of the ornaments. APHowever, President Trump bulldozed it down in October to make room for the glamorous $300 million ballroom that he’s wanted to construct on the White House grounds for well over a decade.
Now, the White House tours will feature an updated route, featuring the White House Christmas decorations on the State Floor. In keeping with tradition, the various iconic rooms of the White House have their own sub-theme.
The East Room, for example, is adorned with patriotic decorations to pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This includes red, white and blue decor, with eagles, the Great Seal and 250 stars. Its sub-theme is “Home is Where the Heart Is: America, Our Home.”
The Cross Hall features decorations flanking a doorway with red and gold ornaments. AP
Melania Trump has now decorated the White House for Christmas five times. AFP via Getty Images
The Gingerbread White House is displayed in the State Dining Room. Getty Images
ZUMAPRESS.comAfter that, the Green Room showcases top American games and Lego portraits of the president and George Washington, with a sub-theme of “Home is Where the Heart Is: Family Fun.”
The Blue Room pays homage to Gold Star families with blue, gold, and ivory, with gold stars, featuring the sub-theme of “Home is Where the Heart Is: Where Strength and Sacrifice Meets Home.” It is where the official White House Christmas tree is located.
Next, the Red Room is home to decor on the first lady’s “Be Best” initiative, with over 10,000 butterflies and the sub-theme “Fostering the Future.”
Then-first lady Jill Biden debuted the White House’s Christmas decorations in 2024 with a video featuring dancers. Biden White House
A ballerina and toy soldier dancing in the White House in 2024. Biden White House
Biden said her video represented the “magic, wonder and joy” of the Christmas season. Biden White HouseIn the State Room, the first lady’s decorations tout past diplomacy at the White House, including the White House Historical Association’s official ornament, gilded acorns and hand-painted magnolia blossoms. The sub-theme is “Home is Where the Heart Is: A Place to Gather.”
Lastly, the White House’s Grand Foyer and Cross Hall were decorated as a place “Where Love Blooms.”
Melania Trump is a veteran White House decorator. This marks her fifth time getting the executive mansion ready for the Christmas season.
The gorgeous new Christmas decorations also feature the official White House ornament, a tradition that goes back to the 1980s. This year’s official ornament pays homage to the 150th anniversary of state dinners in the White House.
“We look for whether … there [is] a key anniversary related to the building or something else related to the traditions of the building coming up,” Matthew Costello, the chief education officer at the White House Historical Association, explained to The Post.
“And so we decided that this year we would focus on 150 years of state dinners, the first one being for King Kalakaua of the Kingdom of Hawaii,” he added.
The official White House ornament is used to help raise funds for the White House Historical Association to conduct research, provide teacher professional development opportunities, and more.
