It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—but this year, the White House is decked out in a way that reflects both tradition and significant change. On Monday, December 1, 2025, Melania Trump unveiled the White House holiday decorations for the first time since her return as first lady, and the theme she chose—"Home Is Where the Heart Is"—carries a message of unity, remembrance, and patriotic pride.
This year’s decorations arrive at a moment of transition for the Executive Mansion. The East Wing and its iconic colonnade, long central to the holiday experience, were demolished in October by President Donald Trump to make way for a grand 90,000-square-foot ballroom. As a result, visitors and staff alike are navigating a new holiday landscape, and the traditional tour route has been completely reimagined. According to the Associated Press, public tours, which had been suspended because of the construction, are set to resume on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, but with a shortened route limited to the State Floor. Visitors will now enter through the North Portico doors on Pennsylvania Avenue, using a new semi-permanent walkway and entrance.
Despite these structural changes, the spirit of the season is alive and well. Melania Trump, who personally selected every detail of the décor, has infused the White House with symbols that honor the nation’s past and present. The decorations include a nod to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776—a milestone that will be celebrated next year. The East Room, for example, is resplendent in patriotic red, white, and blue, with Christmas trees adorned with striped ribbons, oak leaves, golden eagle tree toppers, and stars. As Insider reported, golden eagles are also displayed on mirrors throughout the room, and the overall effect is a glittering tribute to America’s founding ideals.
The centerpiece of the Blue Room is the official White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan. This tree, which traditionally greeted guests in the East Wing, has found a new home in the Blue Room due to the ongoing construction. It is decorated with gold stars honoring Gold Star families—those who have lost a loved one during active-duty military service. The tree also features ornaments depicting the official bird and flower of every U.S. state and territory, many of which were created using artificial intelligence and 3D printing. According to NBC Washington, the tree serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by military families and the enduring strength of the nation.
Elsewhere in the White House, the Green Room is dedicated to family fun and playfulness. It features large portraits of President George Washington and President Donald Trump, each crafted from more than 6,000 Lego puzzle pieces—a whimsical nod to childhood and history alike. The room is also filled with childhood toys and miniature Christmas trees made of dominoes, reinforcing the theme of home and togetherness.
The Red Room, meanwhile, is a vibrant celebration of youth and hope. Thousands of blue butterflies—over 10,000 in total—adorn the room, symbolizing transformation and new beginnings. This display is a tribute to Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future program, part of her broader Be Best initiative to support children in foster care. Ribbons and ornaments bearing the Be Best and Fostering the Future logos add a personal touch, highlighting the first lady’s ongoing commitment to child welfare.
The State Dining Room offers another showstopper: a gingerbread White House model that weighs in at 120 pounds of gingerbread, 100 pounds of pastillage dough, over 10 pounds of chocolate, and 5 pounds of royal icing. The intricate creation showcases the mansion’s South Portico and even provides a glimpse into the Yellow Oval Room, currently decorated for the holidays. The gingerbread house is more than just a feast for the eyes—it’s a testament to the skill and dedication of the volunteer decorators who helped bring Melania Trump’s vision to life.
Music and tradition also play a key role in this year’s festivities. In the Grand Foyer, the U.S. Marine Band performs holiday classics such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from Disney’s Frozen, filling the halls with a festive spirit. Part of the White House Creche—a Nativity scene dating back to the 18th century and first displayed at the White House in 1961—is on view while the rest undergoes restoration. The Cross Hall dazzles with ceiling projections, Christmas trees, red gift-wrapped boxes, and the warm scent of spiced candles, creating a sensory experience for visitors.
The scale of the decorations is nothing short of impressive. According to the White House and corroborated by multiple outlets, the Executive Mansion is adorned with 75 wreaths, 51 Christmas trees, over 700 feet of garland, more than 2,000 strands of lights, 25,000 feet of ribbon, 2,800 gold stars, over 10,000 butterflies, and 120 pounds of gingerbread. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to tour the White House, attend receptions, and participate in parties throughout December. However, due to the ongoing construction, some traditional stops—such as the Library and the Vermeil and China Rooms on the Ground Floor—are temporarily off-limits.
Melania Trump’s signature Christmas wreaths with red bows, which have become a staple of her holiday décor, once again grace the White House windows. They’re even featured on this year’s official White House Christmas card, serving as a visual link between past and present. As Insider noted, the absence of the East Wing and its dramatic displays has left some visitors nostalgic for Christmases past, but the new layout offers its own unique charms and surprises.
The White House issued a statement emphasizing the unifying power of the holiday season: “In every community, we are lifted by simple acts of kindness that reflect the enduring American spirit of generosity, patriotism, and gratitude. These moments remind us that the heart of America is strong and that Home Is Where The Heart Is.”
Planning for the holidays at the White House begins months in advance, and this year’s transformation required even more coordination due to the construction. Most of the decorating was completed after the Trump family left for their Palm Beach home for Thanksgiving, returning just in time to welcome the holiday season back in Washington. The result is a festive, heartfelt display that honors both national milestones and personal traditions, reminding Americans that—no matter the challenges or changes—home truly is where the heart is.
