This year’s White House Christmas decor, significantly different from the previous two years, has captivated attention with its absence of stockings for President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s grandchildren and pets over the State Dining Room mantle.
The decision to forgo this tradition coincides with the Bidens’ acknowledgment of Hunter Biden’s daughter, Navy Joan Roberts, as their seventh grandchild.
Biden family alters Christmas stocking tradition for Camp David stay
Navy, aged 5, was not featured in the stocking displays for 2021 and 2022, unlike Hunter’s other children with ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and current wife Melissa Cohen.
A White House spokesperson clarified that this change is due to the Bidens’ plans to spend Christmas at Camp David, where they will hang the stockings.
First family changes Christmas celebration location; unveils lavish 2023 decorations
This marks a shift from the last two years, where the first family celebrated Christmas Day in Washington, followed by post-holiday trips to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.
The First Lady unveiled the White House’s lavish 2023 Christmas decorations on Monday.
White House sparkles with thousands of ornaments and lights
The executive mansion dazzles with 98 Christmas trees, approximately 34,000 ornaments, and 142,000 twinkling lights.
The decorations also include the official White House Menorah in the Cross Hall, more than 350 candles, over 22,100 bells, toy soldiers, candy, and 72 wreaths adorning the north and south facades.
Gingerbread White House, pet statues highlight holiday decorations
The gingerbread White House, an integral part of the decor, is made from around 40 sheets of cookie dough, 90 pounds of pastillage, 30 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing, and 40 sheets of gingerbread dough.
Additionally, statues of the German shepherd Commander and the first cat, Willow, are featured.
White House holiday theme embraces ‘magic, wonder, joy’
Commander was removed from the White House earlier in the year due to biting incidents.
This year’s theme, “Magic, Wonder, and Joy,” reflects a child’s perspective of the holiday season, filled with awe and happiness.
Bidens’ holiday message: Embrace joy, decor celebrates iconic Christmas poem
The Bidens expressed their hope that visitors would embrace their inner child and revel in the season’s beauty.
The decor notably features elements from Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “The Night Before Christmas,” celebrating its 200th anniversary since its first publication in 1823.
Bidens go from Thanksgiving in Nantucket to revamped White House decor
The Bidens, along with six of their grandchildren, returned to the White House on Sunday night after celebrating Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The family’s decision to spend Christmas at Camp David and the subsequent alteration in the White House’s festive traditions reflect a dynamic and evolving approach to holiday celebrations under their administration.
The elaborate decorations, encompassing a vast array of lights, ornaments, and thematic elements, aim to capture the essence of the holiday spirit and share it with all who visit the historic residence during this time of year.
