Jill Biden's White House Christmas decorations include 98 trees, 142,425 holiday lights, and tributes to fallen soldiers. See the photos.

Mon, 11/27/2023 - 11:52

The Cross Hall of the White House decorated for Christmas in 2023 — Christmas decorations in the Cross Hall between the East Room and the State Dining Room.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The White House unveiled its 2023 Christmas decorations, themed "Magic, Wonder, and Joy."
Chosen by Jill Biden, the theme is inspired by how children experience the holiday season.
The decorations feature tributes to bedtime stories and sweets as well as White House history.

First lady Jill Biden unveiled the 2023 White House Christmas decorations on Monday, centered around the theme "Magic, Wonder, and Joy."

"The 2023 White House holiday theme is inspired by how children experience this festive season: completely present in the beauty and bounty around them, their senses alight, with hearts open to the magic, wonder, and joy of the holidays," the president and first lady wrote in a welcome letter in the 2023 White House Holiday Guide. "In this season of reflection and goodwill, we hope you will embrace your inner child and delight in simply being present with those you love."

Take a look at how the White House has been decked out for the holiday season.

At the entrance to the East Wing of the White House, columns have been decorated to look like candy canes and Christmas tree trunks.

Christmas tree branches hanging outside the East Portico of the White House in 2023. — Christmas tree branches and ornaments suspended from the ceiling of the East Portico of the White House.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Christmas tree branches hanging from the ceiling of the East Portico are meant to invoke the feeling of lying under a Christmas tree as a child, according to the 2023 White House Holiday Guide.

Statues of the Bidens' pets, Commander and Willow, welcome guests to the East Wing.

Statues of White House pets Commander and Willow as part of the 2023 White House Christmas decorations. — Statues of the first family's pets, Commander the dog and Willow the cat, are displayed in the East Wing.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Bidens' dog Commander no longer lives at the White House after repeatedly biting Secret Service staff.

At the East Entrance of the White House, Gold Star trees honor fallen soldiers.

The Gold Star Tree part of the White House Christmas decorations in 2023 — Gold Star trees at the East Entrance of the White House.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The gold-star ornaments are engraved with service members' names, ranks, and dates of death.

As part of the first lady's Joining Forces initiative supporting military families, National Guard families were the first to tour the White House Christmas decorations on Monday.

Candy-themed ornaments hang from the ceiling in the East Colonnade.

Candy-themed ornaments hang from the ceiling of the hallway between the East Wing and the Residence at the White House. — The East Colonnade of the White House decorated for Christmas.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Ornaments shaped like peppermints and ice-cream cones are surrounded by string lights.

In the Ground Floor Corridor, a portrait of former first lady Rosalynn Carter is draped with black material following her death earlier this month.

A portrait of former first lady Rosalynn Carter is draped in black bunting among the Christmas decorations at the White House in 2023 — A portrait of former first lady Rosalynn Carter in the Ground Floor Corridor of the White House.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Carter died at age 96 on November 19. She was married to former president Jimmy Carter for 77 years, making them the longest-wed presidential couple in history.

The White House Library is decorated to honor "the tradition and magic of bedtime stories," according to the White House Holiday Guide.

The White House Library decorated for Christmas in 2023 — The White House Library decorated for Christmas.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Classic holiday books are displayed throughout the room, and Santa and his reindeer can be spotted flying through the sky in the window.

In the Vermeil Room, a tribute to holiday music and performance features a mechanical theater with United States Marine Band figures that spin and play herald trumpets.

The Vermeil Room of the White House decorated for Christmas — Christmas decorations in the White House Vermeil Room.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Christmas trees on either side of the theater are decorated with instrument-shaped ornaments.

The China Room has been transformed into a White House Sweet Shop.

The China Room of the White House decorated for Christmas in 2023 — The China Room decorated for Christmas.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The China Room display includes holiday baking supplies amid gingerbread houses, holiday cakes, and other themed desserts.

The East Room is decorated with Advent calendars counting down the days until Christmas.

The East Room decorated for Christmas.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The room also displays a Nativity scene with over 40 figurines that dates back to the 18th century.

The Blue Room houses the official White House Christmas tree.

The official White House Christmas tree in 2023 — The official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The 18-foot Fraser fir was grown in Fleetwood, North Carolina.

The Cross Hall is lined with glowing Christmas trees, and it also houses the official White House menorah.

The menorah was built in 2021 by White House carpenters using leftover wood from a Truman-era renovation. It was featured in the White House holiday decorations for the first time in 2022.

In the Grand Foyer, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" comes to life with Santa's sleigh and reindeer flying through the air.

Reindeer decorations in the Entrance Hall of the White House in 2023 — The Grand Foyer of the White House decorated for Christmas.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Architectural niches along the walls depict scenes from the holiday poem.

In total, the White House Christmas decorations include 98 trees and 142,425 holiday lights.

Christmas trees in the East Room in 2023 — Christmas trees in the East Room looking towards the Cross Hall.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The display also utilizes 14,975 feet of ribbon, over 350 candles, over 33,892 ornaments, and over 22,100 bells, according to the 2023 White House Holiday Guide.

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Jill Biden's White House Christmas decorations include 98 trees, 142,425 holida…