20 photos that show how the White House and the royal family decorate for the holidays
Talia Lakritz
- The White House in Washington, DC, and Windsor Castle in the UK are decked out for the holidays.
- The White House's decor theme "Gifts from the Heart" honors frontline workers and past presidents.
The theme of this year's White House Christmas decorations, chosen by first lady Dr. Jill Biden, is "Gifts from the Heart."
The theme of the White House Christmas decorations is chosen by the first lady every year.
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden wrote that "Gifts from the Heart" such as faith, family, friendship, and unity "tie together the heart strings of our lives."
"The things we hold sacred unite us and transcend distance, time, and even the constraints of a pandemic: faith, family, and friendship; a love of the arts, learning, and nature; gratitude, service, and community; unity and peace. These are the gifts that tie together the heart strings of our lives. These are the Gifts from the Heart," President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wrote in a welcome letter at the beginning of the commemorative 2021 White House Holiday Guide.
Over 6,000 feet of ribbon, 300 candles, 10,000 ornaments, and 78,750 holiday lights were used to decorate the White House.
There are also a total of 41 Christmas trees throughout the White House.
The official White House Christmas tree is on display in the Blue Room.
The tree is decorated with doves carrying a banner with the names of every US state and territory.
In the East Colonnade, glowing stars and dove cutouts hang amid blue window decorations.
The doves and shooting stars represent "peace and light brought to us all by the service of frontline workers and first responders during the pandemic," according to the White House Holiday Guide.
The East Landing's Gold Star Tree honors fallen members of the US military.
The gold star ornaments feature the names and ranks of the fallen soldiers, as well as their dates of death.
In the China Room, wreaths comprised of interlocking hands hang on dining chairs.
The China Room displays tableware and china sets used by past presidential families. The table is set with the Obama state china in a nod to their friendship.
Christmas trees in the State Dining Room feature photos of the Bidens, as well as past presidential families.
A photo of the Bidens hangs next to one of the Obamas. Former presidents John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Donald Trump are also pictured with their families.
The main attraction in the State Dining Room is the official 2021 Gingerbread White House, created by White House pastry chef Susan Morrison.
Morrison, who is the first female White House pastry chef, built the gingerbread White House with 55 sheets of baked gingerbread, 120 pounds of pastillage, 35 pounds of chocolate, and 25 pounds of royal icing.
The gingerbread buildings on either side of the White House honor frontline and essential workers with a gingerbread hospital, police station, fire station, gas station, school, post office, and grocery store.
On the other side of the State Dining Room, stockings hang from the mantle in between two large Christmas trees.
An engraving in the mantle reads, "I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best of Blessings Upon This House…."
The Grand Foyer and the Cross Hall decorations center around the "Gift of Faith and Community."
"The hallway alcoves and tree displays depict wintry scenes of life within our towns and cities, reflecting the solace of faith, the lasting bonds of community, and the perseverance of the American spirit," the White House Holiday Guide reads.
Windsor Castle, the royal family's residence in Windsor, England, is also decked out for the holidays.
The streets of Windsor feature royal-themed Christmas decorations.
Each year, members of The Royal Collection Trust decorate the castle for Christmas.
The Royal Collection Trust is an organization that manages the royal family's art collection and public openings of their residences.
In the Crimson Drawing Room, a 15-foot Christmas tree glimmers with red ornaments to match the red curtains, carpet, and furniture.
The Crimson Drawing Room is usually used by Queen Elizabeth for private events.
In St George's Hall, a 20-foot Christmas tree makes for an impressive holiday display.
The giant tree was grown locally in Windsor Great Park, a 5,000-acre park that used to be a private hunting ground for the royal family.
Members of the Royal Collection Trust covered the tree in hundreds of lights as well as glass and mirrored ornaments.
They stood on ladders to carefully place red and gold ornaments on its branches.
They topped the tree with a traditional angel figure.
Windsor Castle is open to the public for tours of the Christmas decor from November 25 to January 3.
This year, the castle also features a display of costumes from Christmas pantomimes that Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret performed as teenagers.
Performed between 1941 and 1944, the shows raised money for the Royal Household Wool Fund providing soldiers with wool for comforters.
The Princesses' Pantomimes exhibit includes costumes from two shows, "Aladdin" and "Old Mother Red Riding Boots."
Queen Elizabeth wore the pink satin and lace dress (pictured above on the far right) in the role of Lady Christina Sherwood in "Old Mother Red Riding Boots."
The display also features pictures of fairy-tale characters that served as decorative set pieces.
The images were created by artist Claude Whatham and depict characters such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Peter Pan.
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