Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Patriotism Is the Theme of Christmas at the White House
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
December 2, 2019

Share

WASHINGTON — Melania Trump is celebrating American patriotism at the White House this Christmas, incorporating red and blue into the traditional holiday green, adding a timeline of American design, innovation and architecture and studding a Christmas tree with her family’s annual ornament, the American flag.

“It is with great joy that our family welcomes you to the White House this holiday season as we celebrate the Spirit of America. We hope you enjoy our tribute to the traditions, customs and history that make our nation great.” — President Donald Trump, the first lady and their son, Barron, say in the signed introduction to a souvenir book that visitors will receive as a holiday keepsake
The traditional gingerbread White House shares its stage with American landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge.
“It is with great joy that our family welcomes you to the White House this holiday season as we celebrate the Spirit of America,” President Donald Trump, the first lady and their son, Barron, say in the signed introduction to a souvenir book that visitors will receive as a holiday keepsake. “We hope you enjoy our tribute to the traditions, customs and history that make our nation great.”
The White House previewed the decorations for journalists on Monday before Trump and the first lady were to depart for London.
The East Colonnade of the White House is lined with double rows of see-through panels etched with more than 60 examples of American design, innovation and architecture, ranging from the Woolworth Building in New York City to the Space Needle in Seattle.
Photo of a decorated tree stands next to the portrait of President George Washington in the East Room
A decorated tree stands next to the portrait of President George Washington in the East Room during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

East Room Decorations Are Inspired by the U.S. Flag

A tree dedicated to Gold Star families that lost an immediate relative during military service stands at the beginning of the hallway while a tree decorated with the Trump family ornament — an American flag this year — glistens at the end of the colonnade.
East Room decorations are inspired by the U.S. flag and feature gilded eagle Christmas tree toppers, mirrored stars and red and blue ribbons. In the State Dining Room, at the opposite end of the hallway, the decor continues to showcase American design.
The gingerbread White House, built from 200 pounds of gingerbread and slathered in 25 pounds (11 kilograms) of royal icing and 35 pounds of chocolate, showcases the South Portico, including a staircase made using angel hair, fettucine and spaghetti.

Photo of the Cross Hall leading into the State Dinning Room
The Cross Hall leading into the State Dinning Room is decorated during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

More Than 225 Volunteers Flew in From Around the Country to Help Decorate

The popular display also features models of landmarks from across the country, including Mount Rushmore, St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, the Alamo, the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty, besides the Golden Gate Bridge and the Space Needle.

More than 225 volunteers flew in from around the country to help decorate the White House during Thanksgiving weekend.
The Blue Room is again commanded by a towering tree, a Douglas fir from a Pennsylvania farm, decorated with flowers representing every state and territory.
Mrs. Trump continued her tradition of hanging wreaths on the mansion’s exterior windows, 106 in all.
Late Sunday, she teased her Twitter followers with a minute-long video sneak peek of some of the decorations and of herself walking through the State Floor of the White House and sprinkling fake snow one of many Christmas trees decked out with white lights.
More than 225 volunteers flew in from around the country to help decorate the White House during Thanksgiving weekend.
Decorations in the public areas of the White House include 58 Christmas trees, more than 2,500 strands of light, more than 800 feet of garland and more than 15,000 bows.
Photo of the East Colonnade is decorated with a timeline of American design, innovation and architecture during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House
The East Colonnade is decorated with a timeline of American design, innovation and architecture during the 2019 Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington. This year’s theme is, “The Spirit of America.” (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

DON'T MISS

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

DON'T MISS

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

DON'T MISS

Travel in the West Bank Is a Tale of Two Journeys

DON'T MISS

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

DON'T MISS

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

DON'T MISS

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

DON'T MISS

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

DON'T MISS

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

DON'T MISS

At the Pandemic’s Start, Americans Began Drinking More. They Still Are.

DON'T MISS

Last GOP Congressman Anchored in Democratic LA County Concedes in Race Against Former NASA Exec

UP NEXT

US Regulators Investigating Whether Engines on 1.4 Million Hondas Might Fail

UP NEXT

When to Catch the Last Supermoon of the Year

UP NEXT

Mattel Says It ‘Deeply’ Regrets Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Dolls Packaging That Links to Porn Site

UP NEXT

Trump to Target Iran’s Oil Trade in Renewed ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign

UP NEXT

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

UP NEXT

FBI Thwarts Iranian Murder-for-Hire Plan Targeting Donald Trump

UP NEXT

Wave of Racist Texts After Election Prompts FBI Scrutiny

UP NEXT

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

UP NEXT

Trump Promises to Bring Lasting Peace to a Tumultuous Middle East. But Fixing It Won’t Be Easy

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

60 mins ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

2 hours ago

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

2 hours ago

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

2 hours ago

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

2 hours ago

At the Pandemic’s Start, Americans Began Drinking More. They Still Are.

3 hours ago

Last GOP Congressman Anchored in Democratic LA County Concedes in Race Against Former NASA Exec

3 hours ago

Aid Groups Say Israel Misses US Deadline to Boost Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza

3 hours ago

Speaker Mike Johnson Says Republicans Are ‘Ready to Deliver’ on Trump’s Agenda

3 hours ago

Wall Street Slips as the Trump Trade Cools

3 hours ago

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s warning that Proposition 36 would revert California to “1980s-era” policies and his urging vot...

29 mins ago

29 mins ago

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

37 mins ago

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

Grigory Kels Tsvi, left, crosses the West Bank on a bus, May 10, 2024. Israel says it manages the roads to reduce friction and prevent militant attacks on Israelis — rights groups say the movement restrictions on Palestinians create deep inequality. (Sergey Ponomarev/The New York Times)
44 mins ago

Travel in the West Bank Is a Tale of Two Journeys

60 mins ago

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

2 hours ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

2 hours ago

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

2 hours ago

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump talks with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee during a roundtable at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Drexel Hill, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
2 hours ago

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

Search

Send this to a friend