PHOTOS: The 2017 White House Christmas Decorations
The North Portico gets a festive makeover each year during the holidays, with a colorful crown of ribbon and garland. All photographs by Dan Swartz.
The White House unveiled its holiday decorations for 2017 Monday. Staffers were still putting on the finishing touches as journalists made their way through the doors of the East Wing to document the occasion.
Some 150 volunteers outfitted the executive mansion over Thanksgiving. This year's theme is "Time-Honored Traditions" and involves more than 1,000 feet of garland, 18,000 feet of lights, 3,100-yards of ribbon, 12,000 ornaments, and 53 Christmas trees. Melania Trump personally selected every detail, right down to the edible wreaths hanging from this year's 200-pound gingerbread house.
The view of this year's official White House Christmas Tree inside the Blue Room, as seen from the Grand Foyer.The 18-foot, 6-inch tall tree hails from Endeavor, Wisconsin, and was received by the first lady and Barron Trump on a horse-drawn carriage outside the North Portico last week.This year's White House Christmas tree sports a blue and gold color scheme and is adorned by ornaments bearing seals from all the states and territories.A gilded plateau purchased by President James Monroe for the White House sits at the center of the dining table inside the China Room.President Monroe commissioned the first china service made especially for use in the executive residence, with subsequent administrations following suit.The Cross Hall connects the White House's Grand Foyer directly with the State Dining Room and the East Room.A portrait of President Reagan now hangs inside the hall at the entrance to the State Dining Room.The hallway of the East Colonnade was decorated this year with rows of twinkling, wintery branches.As the largest room in the White House, the East Room is one of the most popular locations on the property, serving as the backdrop to social and official celebrations alike.This year marks the 50th year that the White House crèche, which Jane Engelhard donated in 1967, has been on display.The entrance to the East Wing of the White House during the holidays serves as a tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces. The star ornaments adorning the nearby tree pay tribute to the country's Gold Star families and visitors are encouraged to send holiday messages to military members stationed abroad via special electronic devices.A wintery landscape of snow-topped trees greets guests inside the Grand Foyer, which is intended to pay homage to the tradition of music at the White House. The room is a favorite performance space for the "The President's Own" Marine Band.The Green Room showcases "crafted" decorations created by American artisans, florists, and designers out of natural materials, paper, and fabric.A special "tree" consisting of a series of green-spined books and red ribbon bookmarks infuses the spirit of the holidays into the White House Library, which holds a collection of more than 2,700 books.This year's Red Room tree is topped with decorative cookies and bows and centered underneath the room's chandelier.Playful displays of candies and confections are intended to be shared with visiting children.George Healy's iconic portrait of President Lincoln over the mantel generally commands attention inside the State Dining Room, which is bookended by Christmas trees for the season.The annual White House gingerbread house is also put on display inside the State Dining Room, with this year's tasty creation reflecting the southern exterior of the executive residence.
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