Melania Trump Unveils White House Holiday Theme: “Home Is Where the Heart Is”

First Lady Reveals Holiday Decorations, Honors Gold Star Families and America250

First Lady Melania Trump on Monday unveiled the White House holiday decorations under the theme “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” This is her first full-scale seasonal presentation since resuming the role of first lady. The displays include tributes to the approaching 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and a special dedication to Gold Star families.

Because the East Wing and its covered colonnade were demolished this year as part of a plan to add a large ballroom, the traditional placement of the official Christmas tree changed. The Blue Room tree — customarily the first tree visitors saw when entering through the East Wing — now features gold stars honoring families who lost loved ones during active military service. The tree also continues the tradition of recognizing each state and territory with ornaments that depict each jurisdiction’s official bird and flower.

State Floor Highlights

The State Floor is trimmed in red, white and blue to spotlight next year’s America250 celebration. The East Room features national symbols, including golden-eagle tree toppers, while trees across the State Floor are adorned with stars, roses and oak leaves.

The Green Room embraces a family-fun theme and displays portraits of George Washington and President Donald Trump created from more than 6,000 LEGO pieces each. The Red Room is decorated with thousands of butterflies in a celebration of young people and as a tribute to the first lady’s Fostering the Future program, part of her Be Best initiative for children who have experienced foster care.

A gingerbread model of the White House in the State Dining Room showcases the South Portico and offers a peek into the Yellow Oval Room as it is currently decorated. Outside, the first lady’s signature wreaths with red bows frame the White House windows.

Visits, Logistics and Volunteer Effort

Public tours were suspended while construction of the ballroom began but are scheduled to resume with a revised route limited to the State Floor, which includes the East Room; the Green, Blue and Red Rooms; the State Dining Room; the Cross Hall; and the Grand Foyer. The Library and the Vermeil and China Rooms on the Ground Floor were removed from the tour route because of ongoing work. Visitors will enter through the North Portico on Pennsylvania Avenue via a new semi-permanent walkway.

Volunteer decorators and staff used an impressive array of decorations to dress the Executive Mansion: 75 wreaths, 51 Christmas trees, more than 700 feet (213 meters) of garland, over 2,000 strands of lights, more than 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) of ribbon, over 2,800 gold stars, more than 10,000 butterflies and 120 pounds (54 kilograms) of gingerbread. Much of the decorating work was completed while the first family spent Thanksgiving in Palm Beach, Florida.

Background Note

In 2018, secret recordings made public by a former aide captured the first lady expressing frustration with some traditional duties, including holiday preparations. Those recordings were made by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser who later wrote about their relationship.

The first lady personally selected the details for this year’s display; White House officials say holiday planning typically begins months in advance. The decorations aim to celebrate family, community and the shared values that organizers say reflect the American spirit.