The Return of White House Christmas Magic: Melania Trump’s Festive Designs Set to Welcome Americans Once More
After a four-year hiatus, the White House is reopening its doors to the American public for Christmas tours, featuring decorations designed by First Lady Melania Trump. This revival of a cherished tradition marks a significant moment in the celebration of the holiday season at America’s most famous residence. Since 1961, when Jackie Kennedy established the custom of selecting themes for the White House Christmas tree, first ladies have embraced this opportunity to transform the executive mansion into a festive wonderland that reflects both personal taste and administration values. Before Kennedy’s formal theming, White House Christmas decorations date back to 1889, when the first documented White House Christmas tree stood in the Oval Room adorned with simple candles.
During the first Trump administration from 2017 to 2020, Melania Trump established a distinctive decorating style characterized by patriotic themes and classic Christmas traditions. Her inaugural effort in 2017, themed “Time Honored Traditions,” showcased decorations celebrating national pride, military support, and traditional Christmas elements—aligning with President Trump’s “America First” messaging. Though critics from House Beautiful magazine described her all-white décor as using “a terrifying amount of white,” it set the tone for her unique approach. In 2018, she unveiled “American Treasures,” featuring a gingerbread version of the National Mall, state ribbons adorning the Blue Room tree, and bold red trees in the East Colonnade that generated considerable media attention. The red trees became somewhat controversial, drawing both criticism and admiration for their striking appearance.
The patriotic motif continued in 2019 with “The Spirit of America,” which celebrated state symbols, honored Gold Star military families, and featured gingerbread renditions of American landmarks. Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Melania consistently incorporated elements from her “Be Best” initiative, which raised funds for foster children. In 2020, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, her final Christmas theme was “America the Beautiful,” featuring gold eagles, miniature model trains, and gingerbread houses representing national parks—maintaining the administration’s patriotic emphasis even as the nation faced unprecedented health challenges. These carefully crafted decorations served not just as seasonal ornaments but as visual statements about American values and heritage.
When the Biden administration entered the White House in 2021, First Lady Jill Biden brought her own distinctive approach to the Christmas tradition. Her first theme, “Gifts from the Heart,” sought to emphasize unity and faith during the ongoing pandemic through symbolic decorations: book-shaped ornaments celebrating learning, military medallions honoring service, and white doves representing hope and faith. The following year, her “We the People” theme reinforced the administration’s focus on democracy, featuring gold doves, olive branches, and ornaments shaped like landmarks from all fifty states. In 2023, she shifted to a more whimsical approach with “The Magic, Wonder, and Joy of the Holidays,” showcasing oversized toy trains and nutcrackers to spark imagination—though her promotional video featuring dancers tapping through the decorated White House drew some criticism. Most recently, her 2024 theme, “A Season of Peace and Light,” utilized crystal orbs in the East Colonnade to represent “light in darkness” alongside paper stars and symbols of peace.
The evolution of White House Christmas decorations reflects more than just changing aesthetic preferences—it provides a window into the values and messaging priorities of each administration. While Melania Trump emphasized patriotism, tradition, and American exceptionalism through her meticulously designed displays, Jill Biden’s themes have tended to focus on concepts of unity, democracy, and finding light in difficult times. These decorative choices serve as visual metaphors for broader political narratives, allowing first ladies to communicate administration priorities through the universal language of holiday celebration. Beyond politics, the Christmas decorations fulfill the vital role of transforming the White House from a governmental building into a symbol of American holiday traditions that citizens from across the political spectrum can appreciate.
As the White House reopens for Christmas tours featuring Melania Trump’s designs in 2025, Americans will once again have the opportunity to experience this beloved national tradition in person. This return to public access represents more than just holiday festivities—it symbolizes a reconnection between the presidency and the people following years of pandemic-related restrictions. Whatever one’s political perspective, the White House Christmas decorations stand as a testament to the enduring power of seasonal traditions to bring beauty, wonder, and a sense of continuity to American cultural life. As different first ladies bring their unique visions to this tradition, the White House continues to serve as both the people’s house and a showcase for the artistic expression of America’s values during its most festive season.
