The White House's 2023 Christmas Decorations Are More Magical Than Ever
With 98 trees and over 350 candles, this year’s theme will bring out your inner child.
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While the days following Thanksgiving are primarily for hanging out with family, friends, and enjoying delicious leftovers, we'd be lying if the week wasn't also about planning your Christmas decorations. And we aren't the only ones. First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden unveiled the White House's annual Christmas display yesterday. With a theme dedicated to the "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" of the holiday season, this year's decorations are all about bringing out the childhood joy in all of us, no matter the age. Decorating the 54,900-square-foot landmark is no easy feat, but by embracing the joy that comes with the season, the task is hardly a chore for the week-long construction handled by over 300 volunteers.
“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. It is a time for our senses to awaken—for each of us to smell the aroma of favorite family recipes, to hear the warmth of a dear friend’s voice, to see the glow of lights and decorations, to taste the sweetness of candies and treats, and to feel the quiet stillness and strength of faith,” the First Lady and President Joe Biden wrote in a welcome letter at the beginning of the commemorative 2023 White House Holiday Guide.
From the Entrance to the State Dining Room, 98 trees were used this year (20 more than last year!), as well as 14,975 feet of ribbon, over 350 candles, over 33,892 ornaments, and over 22,100 bells. There's even a signature holiday scent! Read on for some of our favorite Christmas moments from the White House's 2023 Christmas decorations. Don't forget to look up!
The Gold Star Tree
A tradition for the Biden Administration's Christmas decorations, the first tree featured in the White House is adorned with wooden Gold Star ornaments that are engraved with the names of the heroic men and women of our Nation’s military who have laid down their lives for our country.
The East Wing
If you've ever lain under your Christmas tree (like Izzie Stevens in Grey's Anatomy), this entrance display is for you. In fact, it was designed to invoke those exact same feelings of wonder and joy.
The Grand Foyer
Closing out the 2023 White House holiday display is an incredible, eye-catching recreation of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Grand Foyer. Santa’s enchanting sleigh and reindeer are suspended in the air, and the Cross Hall’s architectural niches feature elements of the famous story for guests to view on their way out.
The Blue Room
This is the official White House Christmas tree. This year, an 18-and-a-half foot Fraser Fir shipped from Fleetwood, North Carolina, nearly reaches the ceiling of this already impressive space. Adorned with bright colors and 3D elements like miniature houses and winter scenes, guests are taken on an adventure as they walk around the tree. A replica of a vintage passenger train, on loan from the Train Collectors Association, weaves through the tree’s base.
The China Room
Transformed into the White House's own sweet shop, the China Room features holiday cakes, cookies, and gingerbread scenes. Piles of cooking supplies and baking ingredients serve as a cheerful reminder to break out your own family recipes this holiday season and bake them as a family.
The Red Room
Christmas crafts are one of the great activities of the season, and to celebrate that, the Red Room is decked out with handmade decorations out of handprints and painted family portraits of military-connected children.
The Ground Floor Corridor
Sprinkled with actual holiday messages sent to the President and First Lady, as well as a few letters to Santa Claus, the ground floor is a nod to the 200th anniversary of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The Cross Hall
During the holidays, the Cross Hall features the official White House Menorah. This piece was created in 2021 by the White House Executive Residence Carpentry Shop using wood that was removed more than seventy years ago during the Truman-era renovation of the White House.
The Green Room
Meant to be a moment of contemplation in the middle of the tour, the Green Room is subtle. "It is often in quiet, candlelit rooms when we can see most clearly, center ourselves in faith, and embrace the wonder of our world around us," says a spokesperson for The White House. Colorful orchids, a favorite of First Lady Jill Biden, and holiday florals are incorporated throughout the room.
The Vermeil Room
Representing the joy of Christmas music and performances, the Vermeil Room features rotating United States Marine Band figures entertaining guests with herald trumpets. Flanking the stage are Christmas trees draped with whimsical handcrafted instruments and snare drums.
The Library
The age-old Christmas tradition of bedtime stories is shown in the White House's library, of course. Golden moons and shimmering stars are suspended above, with treasured holiday storybooks throughout the scene. Santa and his sleigh are seen through the window, on his way to deliver his gifts.
The White House Gingerbread Scene
Once again inspired by 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, this year’s Gingerbread White House features a recreation of this storied tale—made entirely out of sugar cookie—behind the White House display.
The East Colonnade
Holiday candy and sweet treats of the season float overhead in both the East Wing Lobby and East Colonnade, reminding children and families of the delicious flavors of the holidays.
The East Room
The joyful anticipation of the holidays is front and center in the East Room, with a myriad of Advent calendars counting down the days to Christmas. Behind each number is a special surprise for everyone to enjoy.
Not pictured, the East Room also houses the historic Neapolitan crèche, or Nativity scene, with over 40 figurines, most dating back to the eighteenth century. The crèche has been displayed during every White House holiday season since 1967.
The East Room
Another view of the towering trees, adorned with advent calender numbers, flanking the entrance to the East Room which celebrates the gleeful anticipation of Christmas Day.
Want to smell just like The White House does at Christmastime? The landmark features this inviting blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon which you can smell throughout the tour.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful's Digital Editor, writing in-depth , design inspiration stories, and . With over five years of experience writing commerce and search-optimized content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate has developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often lie behind the inspiration for people’s spaces. She previously worked as the assistant market editor at ELLE Decor where she identified top products and brands in the industry and interviewed emerging designers about their thoughts on the latest . Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.
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