(Washington Insider Magazine) -Earlier this week, America’s First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, had the pleasure of unveiling the spectacularly decorated White House for the 2022 holiday season.
In light of the ever-present climate of growing unrest and division within the United States, Dr. Biden personally selected this year’s holiday theme, “We the People.” This nonpartisan tribute serves to honor and remind all citizens of our country’s foundational and unifying principles.
Approximately 50,000 visitors are expected to visit and tour the White House over this year’s holiday season. Those unable to visit are able to download the 2022 Commemorative White House Holiday Visitor’s Guide.
This year’s elaborate decorations boast over 83,615 lights, 14,865 feet of ribbon, 12,000 ornaments, 1,600 bells, 300 candles, 77 Christmas trees, 25 outdoor wreaths, and one giant gingerbread White House.
According to Dr. Biden, dozens of festively decorated rooms are currently on display to the public. Each room is designed with a unique sub-theme befitting the arching “We the People” theme.
For instance, the Library Room is creatively decorated using books and displays an 1845 copy of the Declaration of Independence. “Unity and Hope” is the theme of the Blue Room. It prominently displays a beautifully decorated Christmas tree adorned with ornaments of each state/territory bird.
The Gold Star Trees, the first of the seventy-seven Christmas trees to be seen on the visitor’s tour, are honoring our country’s heroic fallen and missing-in-action military personnel.
New to the White House holiday collection this year is a menorah hand-crafted by the Executive Residence Carpentry Shop. Wood preserved from President Truman’s 1950 White House renovation was used to construct the simple yet elegant menorah. President Truman was the first leader to recognize the state of Israel in 1948.
Tying the past and present together, Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, home of the Declaration of Independence, is prominently displayed in gingerbread form beside the traditional gingerbread White House.
Visitors will also discover several personal touches from the Biden family. Stockings hung by the fireplace have family members’ names on them. And there are visages of the Biden family’s beloved pets, Commander the German Shepherd and Willow the cat, placed throughout the various displays. One of the many fireplace mantle ornaments is a hand-written recipe card for Dr. Biden’s apple crisp family recipe.
Dr. Biden’s thoughtful planning of the holiday decor season began in the spring of this year.
Looking for inspiration? Try this favorite video below!
