The main theme of decor was "Time-Honored Traditions" dedicated to 200-year history. In every room, there is a reminder from the past. Melania Trump was said so have 'personally selected' most of the Christmas decor, according to Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. The main colors of the White House decoration are red, green and gold. The facade of the building is decorated with traditional Christmas wreaths with a red ribbon.
The decor includes 53 Christmas trees, more than 18,000 lights, more than 12,000 ornaments, and more than 3,100 yards (about 2,800 meters) of ribbon and more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) of garland, the White House said. More than 150 volunteers from 29 states spent 1,600 hours over the holiday weekend decking the White House halls.
The first lady's office previewed the decorations before welcoming students from a nearby military base in Maryland to see the decorations and try some Christmas-themed arts and crafts, such as building gumdrop trees and decorating garland. Wearing a winter white dress with cape-like sleeves and gold-toned heels, Mrs. Trump descended a staircase from the residence to the Grand Foyer and spent a few minutes taking in the ballerinas before she joined a group of children making paper wreaths and other decorations in the State Dining Room.
Ballerinas leaping to the strains of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker helped launch Christmas at the White House. The dancers echoed the first themed Christmas at the White House, Jacqueline Kennedy's “Nutcracker Suite" in 1961.
In the East Wing, visitors find a tribute to our service members and their families with the Gold Star Family Tree, which has been decorated with gold stars and patriotic ribbon. Then, visitors will see the Library, which features President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1866 edition of “A Christmas Carol," as they recall the time-honored custom of reading Christmas stories to loved ones.
The China Room honors the holiday traditions of dining and hospitality. The room is set up for a family Christmas dinner, with the table displaying the china from President Ronald Reagan.
Among the Christmas standards is an 18-by-6-foot (5.5-by-1.8-meter) Balsam fir from Wisconsin in the traditional spot in the Blue Room. The decoration of the White House include magnolia leaves, amaryllis and pine cones.
The 350-pound (160-kilogram) gingerbread house in the State Dining Room offers a view of the White House from the South Lawn, with wreaths on every window and a U.S. flag flying from its sugary rooftop. Also, the confectioners prepared 31 thousand cookies.
“The President, Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House. As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People's House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays. On behalf of my husband and Barron, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season," - said Melania Trump.
In December it is planned to hold more than 100 holiday parties and welcome about 25 thousand guests in the White House.
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