WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — 83 Christmas trees. 165,075 holiday lights. 50 pounds of icing.
While President Joe Biden and his family’s time living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will soon come to a close, they have the opportunity to adorn the White House once more for the holidays. First Lady Jill Biden unveiled the grand theme Monday: a “Season of Peace and Light.”
“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,” President Joe Biden and the first lady wrote in a welcome letter in the 2024 White House Holiday Guide.
“Our hope is for the Nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season,” they added.
The numbers behind the holiday decor
50 pounds of royal icing
The intricately detailed gingerbread house — which is not meant to be eaten — is made with 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 45 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing and 65 pounds of pastillage.
Featuring miniature mechanized ice skaters and snow-covered Christmas trees on a replica of the South Lawn, the gingerbread house will be exhibited in the State Dining Room.
28,125 ornaments
The first lady — with the help of some 300 volunteers — festooned the White House halls with approximately 9,810 feet of ribbon and 28,125 ornaments. In honor of the theme, white paper doves carrying messages of peace fill the Red Room, and a cascade of peace doves are suspended overhead in the Cross Hall.
Trees in the State Dining Room will showcase students’ self-portraits — many in the form of ornaments — to ensure “children see themselves reflected in this year’s holiday display,” the office of the first lady said.
165,075 holiday lights
A rotating star — illuminated in white and yellow — sits above the East Entrance, where guests will arrive for tours and receptions during the holidays.
“Walking in, we’re embraced by the sparkling spirit of the season,” the first lady told reporters.
Over 165,075 lights will twinkle throughout the White House to make the first lady’s vision come to life.
18 1/2-ft. Christmas tree
In all, there are 83 Christmas trees displayed throughout the White House.
A towering 18 1/2-foot Fraser fir from North Carolina — the official White House Christmas tree — is positioned in the Blue Room and stands floor to ceiling. Bright-colored lights fill the room as a carousel featuring the names of every state, territory and the District of Columbia spins around the foot of the tree. To fit the tree, the White House staff had to remove the chandelier that’s usually the focus point of the room.
100,000 visitors expected
Approximately 100,000 visitors are expected to view the décor during the 2024 holiday season, according to the White House.
Jill Biden invited National Guard families to be the first members of the public to experience the White House holiday décor — part of the first lady’s “Joining Forces” initiatives to support military families.
“I’ve made the National Guard families and all the military families a priority,” Biden said during her remarks as the doors opened for a holiday tour. “And one of the privileges I have as first lady is deciding who will be the first to experience the magic of the season here at the White House. And every year, I’ve asked to share it with the National Guard families.”
