White House Unveils 2023 Christmas Makeover Evoking Childhood Joy & Dreams
By Mikelle Leow, 28 Nov 2023
Image via White House
This holiday season, the White House has transformed into a magical winter wonderland, under the theme ‘Magic, Wonder, and Joy’, as revealed by First Lady Dr Jill Biden. Embodying the enchantment of childhood dreams, the decorations aim to inspire visitors with a sense of awe and happiness reminiscent of holiday festivities.
Upon entering the East Wing, guests are greeted by the allure of an enchanting Christmas tree, setting the tone for a journey back to childhood holiday experiences. The decorations are designed to evoke memories of lying beneath the Christmas tree, mesmerized by twinkling lights and the aroma of pine. The air is filled with the whimsy of holiday candy and sweet treats, which symbolize the flavors that define this festive season.
“We have Santa’s magical sleigh suspended in the air in the Grand Foyer, a working train running around the Official White House Christmas Tree, and a Gingerbread White House that celebrates the 200th anniversary of a childhood favorite, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas!” Jill Biden details.
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The White House grounds boast 98 Christmas trees, illuminated by nearly 34,000 ornaments and over 142,000 holiday lights. The elaborate decoration includes about 14,975 feet of ribbon and more than 350 candles. In addition, over 22,100 bells ring throughout, adding to the ambiance.
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Childlike wonder aside, a poignant feature is the Gold Star Tree, dedicated to fallen service members. Bearing wooden ornaments engraved with their names, it pays tribute to the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and their families.
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The ground floor corridor offers a delightful display of holiday messages from Americans nationwide, alongside letters to Santa Claus ready to be whisked away to the North Pole. To mark the 200th anniversary of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, the corridor spotlights various editions from the past two centuries.
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The library is transformed into a serene setting, celebrating the magic of bedtime stories during the holidays. Golden moons and stars hang above, with Santa and his sleigh visible through the window.
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In the Blue Room stands the official White House tree, an 18.5-foot Fraser Fir from North Carolina, adorned with the names of all US states and territories. The China Room is whimsically converted into a ‘White House Sweet Shop’, while the Red Room features ornaments created by children from military families, showcasing handprints and family portraits.
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The State Dining Room is designed as Santa's workshop, complete with a gingerbread replica of the White House, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit.
First Lady Jill Biden extended her gratitude to the more than 300 volunteers who devoted over a week to setting up the decorations. The White House is prepared to welcome around 100,000 visitors this holiday season.
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“In this season of reflection and goodwill, we hope you will embrace your inner child and delight in simply being present with those you love. It is a time for our senses to awaken—for each of us to smell the aroma of favorite family recipes, to hear the warmth of a dear friend’s voice, to see the glow of lights and decorations, to taste the sweetness of candies and treats, and to feel the quiet stillness and strength of faith,” express the First Lady and President Joe Biden.
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“We hope you enjoy the holidays at the White House—‘The People’s House,’ your house. May the memories made here remind us all of the blessing that is our Nation.”
[via UPI, Associated Press, NPR, White House, images via White House]
This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been manually reviewed & edited.