Jill Biden has debuted her first Christmas decorations in the White House as First Lady, with a color palette and design that implies a more welcoming approach than in the past.
The theme chosen by the first lady this year is titled “Gifts From the Heart,” and it features flag-themed stockings and Christmas trees decorated with white doves as well as an arch of red gift boxes. East Wing communications director Elizabeth Alexander said the theme was selected because the first lady “wanted to focus on things that unite us, that bring us together, and that’s a gift,” per the Washington Post.
The cost of a Biden Christmas tree is $100, with proceeds going to charity. There are 41 Christmas trees in the White House this season, as well as more than 300 candles and almost 10,000 ornaments. Each room has also been decorated in its own mini-theme, which includes the “Gift of Family” and the “Gift of Service.”
“Inspired by the acts of kindness and experiences that lifted our spirits this year, decorated rooms in the White House reflect the Gifts from the Heart that unite us all: faith, family, friendship, the arts, learning, nature, gratitude, service, community, peace, and unity,” the first lady wrote on Twitter alongside photos of her work. This year’s decorations represent a return to more traditional approach following Dr. Biden’s predecessor, Melania Trump’s controversial take on the annual first lady holiday duties.
Dr. Biden’s holiday decor this year is focused on family and tradition, with images of other first families celebrating Christmas at the White House. There are also six stockings hanging on the fireplace in the State Dining Room for each Biden grandchild that have been knitted by a Delaware artisan who created the family’s own personal Christmas stockings.
These elements provide a stark contrast to the row of bare, white branch clusters, lit from the bottom that Melania Trump installed in 2017. All in all, there is also less fake snow and flashing lights, which were favored by Melania Trump as Jill Biden sought to emulate how most families decorate their homes on the holidays.
Jill Biden’s Christmas Decorations
Jill Biden took to Twitter to reveal the 2021 Christmas decorations of the White House.
Stockings with an American flag motif, enormous red gift boxes, and a Christmas tree adorned with family photos are all part of the decorations.
“Inspired by the acts of kindness and experiences that lifted our spirits this year,” Jill Biden wrote in her Twitter post, “decorated rooms in the White House reflect the Gifts from the Heart that unite us all: faith, family, friendship, the arts, learning, nature, gratitude, service, community, peace, and unity.”
Melania Trump’s Decorations in 2017
Many people were taken aback by Melania Trump’s Christmas decorations in 2017. The east wing of the White House was adorned with white branches, which is an uncommon approach to decorate for Christmas.
After people compared the decorations to the film The Shining and dementors from the Harry Potter book and franchise, they became popular online memes.
Melania Trump’s Decorations in 2018
The former first lady’s 2018 decorations received a similar response on social media.
The White House was adorned with 40 all-red trees, which some compared to scenes from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
Decorations in 2019 and 2020
In 2019 and 2020, Melania’s Christmas decorations were greeted with more affection on social media.
In 2020, Melania chose a theme called ‘America the Beautiful,’ which featured standard green trees with red and gold ornaments. Here is how the White House was decorated in 2019.
