President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have decorated the White House for the final time – and they're going out on a high.
This year, the couple followed a 'peace and light' theme – an ideology that guided the design elements for every room in the home. Complete with 83 Christmas trees, 9,810 feet of ribbon, over 28,125 ornaments, 2,200 doves, and over 165,075 holiday lights – dressing the White House for Christmas is no easy feat. However, thanks to the help of 300 dedicated volunteers, the work has paid off.
'The holidays have always held a special place in our hearts, and we’ve loved opening the doors of the People’s House wider and wider each year, continuing the spirit of goodwill and gratitude. America’s story is your story, and we hope you feel at home here,' the President and First Lady shared in a welcome letter at the beginning of the commemorative 2024 White House Holiday Guide (via the White House).
'As we celebrate our final holiday season here in the White House, we are guided by the values we hold sacred: faith, family, service to our country, kindness towards our neighbors, and the power of community and connection,' the Biden's add. 'It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady. Our hope is for the Nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.'
It may come as no surprise that the White House Christmas Decor is both luxurious and maximalist – but in all its regency, it has personal qualities that are replicable in every kind of home. Nothing epitomizes this quite like the Christmas tree (or rather, one of the 83 available) in the State Dining Room.
In this space, Dr. Biden decorated the tree with ornaments featuring self-portraits by students from around the country. This ensured that children see themselves reflected in this year's Christmas decor while tapping into the personal, handmade design trend that's particularly popular this year. It's not only on-trend, however.
Design experts say that handcrafted ornaments (including the sentimental pieces made by your loved ones) are one of the chicest ways to decorate for Christmas – and if it's good enough for the White House, it's good enough for us.
'Adding personal touches that make your Christmas décor truly your own. Display cherished family photos, create a personalized advent calendar, or hang handmade ornaments on your tree. It's these little details that make a home special and unique,' comments Ola Jordan, an interior designer at EZ Living Furniture.
'I always encourage my clients to incorporate elements that are meaningful to them, whether it's a collection of vintage ornaments or a handmade wreath passed down through generations.'
Shop the personal Christmas decor edit
We love the drawings seen on the White House Christmas tree, but this photo frame brings personalization to a new level. Designed to be a great gift or a keepsake piece, this ornament will showcase those precious family photos over the whole holiday.
Decorative bows are once again this seasons must-have decor, but this time they come in smooth-to-the-touch velvet for a sophisticated look. Use them on Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands for a beautiful yet easy style (that mirrors the colors and textures seen on the White House tree).
Personalization just got even chicer. With its quietly luxurious gold detailing, the Aurelia Gold Monogram Ornament adds a sophisticated, personalized touch to your holiday décor.
