The White House Christmas decorations are undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited—and analyzed—events in American culture each year. These are not just decorations; they are a statement of intent through symbolism and an expression of the style of the First Lady residing in the presidential residence at the time. After a four-year hiatus, First Lady Melania Trump returned to this tradition on December 1, 2025.
This will be her fifth Christmas season in the White House, so she unveiled a central theme that seeks to resonate with all Americans: Home Is Where the Heart Is. This year’s decor mixes personal symbols, tradition elevated to its highest expression, and… openly political touches, defining an aesthetic that is sure to be widely discussed.
Christmas at the White House
Decorating the White House for Christmas is not a project that can be done in an afternoon: it requires months of planning and the help of dozens of volunteers from across the country. Mrs. Trump chose this year’s theme to honor the American principles of “generosity, patriotism, and gratitude.”
The interior decorators did not want to be austere: no fewer than 51 Christmas trees have been placed throughout the halls. The windows throughout the White House are adorned with 75 Christmas wreaths, each with a classic red bow. To decorate all this, 25,000 feet of ribbon, 2,000 strands of lights, and 700 feet of garland were used.
But that doesn’t mean all the rooms are the same; the Red Room has become the centerpiece of the Fostering the Future initiative. This is an extension of the Best Child Welfare campaign. Here, the trees in the Red Room are decorated with more than 10,000 blue butterflies, a symbol of transformation for children in the foster care system.
In contrast, the East Room has a totally patriotic decoration. This room celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which will be commemorated in 2026. Here, obviously, the trees are deeply decorated with the national colors—red, white, and blue—and crowned with golden eagles.
The Green Room incorporates an element of family fun and history. In a subtle and amusing interior design decision, imposing portraits of George Washington and current President Donald Trump have been placed there, both constructed using more than 6,000 LEGO pieces. Yes, they could have used oil paintings… But that would have been too boring!
The Blue Room has an official White House Christmas tree that pays tribute to Gold Star families, those who have lost a loved one in active service. This 18-foot spruce is decorated with gold stars and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of each state and territory of the United States.
Finally, the State Dining Room maintains the tradition of displaying a gingerbread model of the White House, an impressive (and deliciously edible) architectural replica that this year required nearly 120 pounds of gingerbread to make.
Previous Christmas at the White House
While many criticize First Lady Melania Trump for using too much symbolism and politicizing the holiday, former First Lady Jill Biden also came under fire last year. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that you can never keep everyone happy.
Mrs. Trump tends to give her Christmas decorations a regal touch, while the former first lady was criticized for her more colorful choices with themes such as “Magic, Wonder, and Joy.”
Melania Trump has always been much more understated. In 2017, her first year, the theme was Time-Honored Traditions, with decorations that stood out for their minimalist style—bordering on austerity—with white branches reminiscent of a frozen forest.
What would you do if you were first lady in the White House? How would you decorate it? Although we don’t have the budget for 51 trees and 75 wreaths, we can still put a lot of care into how we decorate our home. If you’re looking for trends or want to give your home a special touch this Christmas, here are some innovative ideas in this article.