25 photos show the White House all decked out for Christmas

white house christmas

The East Colonnade decorated for Christmas at the White House on December 2.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
  • The first lady, Melania Trump, unveiled the 2019 White House Christmas decorations earlier this month.
  • "The Spirit of America" is the theme of this year's decorations, and it includes tributes to children's games, classic holiday stories, and cities across America.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The US first lady, Melania Trump, unveiled the 2019 White House Christmas decorations in several glittering rooms earlier this month, keeping with the theme of "The Spirit of America."

The White House described the theme as "a tribute to the traditions, customs, and history that make our Nation great."

CNN's Kate Bennett reported that decorating the White House's main rooms involved volunteers from all 50 states hanging 800 feet of garland, 15,000 bows, and more than 2,500 strands of lights.

The White House also released a video tour of this year's decorations:

See the highlights in these photos of the decorations.

On November 25, the first lady received the White House Christmas tree from a horse-drawn delivery.

First lady Melania Trump poses with the 2019 White House Christmas tree as it is delivered to the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019.
Susan Walsh/AP

One week later, the tree, along with the rest of the White House, was decked out and ready for visitors.

At 18 feet tall, the official White House Christmas blossomed with handmade paper flowers paying homage to the distinctive floral emblem of each state and territory.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Just days after Thanksgiving, the first lady gave the decorations a final walk-through.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

The US Marine Band played in the glistening Grand Foyer as members of the press were welcomed to view the decorations on Monday, December 2.

A military Band plays Christmas music in the Grand Foyer at the White House December 2, 2019 in Washington, DC.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Boxes of chocolate kisses were waiting for visitors at the preview.

A gift of chocolate kisses is given out during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

The Grand Foyer was lit up with green Christmas tees covered in fake snow and white lights that shone overhead to make "a glistening winter garden," the White House said in a release.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

The first family's annual ornament, a waving American flag, dotted trees throughout the wing.

The First Family's annual ornament, the American flag decorates a tree during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

White paper stars cast celestial shadows across the glowing white East Colonnade.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

Along the sides of the hall stood acrylic panels showing off some of the country's largest landmarks as "a timeline of American design, innovation, and architecture," the White House said in a release.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

The East Wing also hosted the Gold Star Family tree, which honors America's Armed Forces and their families.

The Gold Star Family tree is seen in the East Wing of the White House Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, during a review of the Christmas decorations by First Lady Melania Trump.
Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

A small tree was adorned with the 2019 White House Christmas Ornament, which is a helicopter to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

Source: The White House Historical Association

A Scrabble board in the base of the tree spelled out some key positive words associated with the "Be Best" campaign.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

Trees made of playing cards and green leaves completed the Red Room's games theme.

The Red Room is decorated with games, including a tree made of White House playing cards during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

The China Room displayed a fully set table and a holiday feast.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

A gingerbread model of the White House in the State Dining Room made for this year's decorations weighs more than 300 pounds.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

"Fun fact," the CNN reporter Kate Bennett added on Twitter, "the banisters are made of spaghetti."

On one side of the gingerbread White House was a red model of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Seattle's Space Needle, and Mount Rushmore.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

On the other side stood models of the Alamo, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and St. Louis' Gateway Arch to highlight "America the Beautiful," the White House said.

A White House made of gingerbread also features landmarks from around the country in the State Dinning Room during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

The White House gets tens of thousands of visitors each holiday season.

The Green Room is decorated during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Source: White House

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