by The holiday season is in full swing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
First lady Dr. Jill Biden just revealed this year’s Christmas decorations at the White House, sharing photos of the festive decor on Instagram.
“For this year’s White House vacation, we hope to capture the spirit embodied in the very idea of America: We the People,” she wrote in her Instagram post.
“As our country comes together for the holidays, traditions may vary, but our shared American values — a belief in possibility, optimism and unity — endure every season,” she continued. “Room by room, visitors will be reminded of what brings us together during the holidays and throughout the year.”
Each decorated area of the White House offers a different take on the “We the People” theme.
The east wing focuses on the honor of remembrance and features Christmas trees with gold stars engraved with the names of fallen service members.
The East Colonnade has a reflective and peaceful atmosphere, lined with white winter trees and handcrafted animals that evoke “the feelings of peace and tranquility after the first snowfall,” the White House said in a statement.
The Vermeil Room, meanwhile, explores the theme of “Kindness and Gratitude” and includes a tribute to the nonprofit Operation Gratitude, which delivers care packages to troops, first responders and military families.
The room also features illustrations of the Bidens’ cat, Willow, and their German shepherd, Commander, “reminding us of the gift of unconditional love.”
As usual, preparations for Christmas decorations in the White House began in the spring. This year there are 77 Christmas trees throughout the White House and more than 83,615 holiday lights adorning the various trees, wreaths and displays.
“As you visit the People’s House, through rooms filled with history and Christmas decorations, amidst mirrored ornaments and reflective lights, our hope is that you feel at home and step back into America’s great history,” she wrote. first lady in an introductory letter to the White House Vacation Guide 2022. “May the promise of We, the people light our way into the new year and unite us always”.
Another traditional highlight is the Gingerbread White House, which this year includes a sugar cookie replica of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.
The White Gingerbread House was made “with 20 cookie dough sheets, 30 gingerbread dough sheets, 100 pounds of pastille, 30 pounds of chocolate and 40 pounds of royal icing,” according to the White House.
Earlier this month, Jill Biden received the White House Christmas tree, an 18.5-foot Concolor fir, which now sits in the Blue Room.
This year’s tree features handmade versions of the official bird of every state and territory in the United States and the District of Columbia.
“The individual tree ornaments shine on their own,” the White House said in their release, “but woven together, this unified collection transforms a humble fir tree into a striking symbol of We the People.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
