'Gifts from the Heart': Jill Biden unveils 2021 White House holiday theme

Jill Biden unveiled her the first White House Christmas decorations on Monday with a gingerbread village paying tribute to frontline COVID workers and tree ornaments celebrating previous first families – including the Trumps. 

‘Gifts from the Heart’ will be the theme for the 2021 White House Holiday Season, the first lady revealed. 

‘It was really important for her overall theme that is, she wanted to focus on – she and the president wanted to focus on things that unite us, things that heal us, things that bring us together, and that’s Gifts from the Heart,’ said East Wing communications director Elizabeth Alexander. 

Over 100 volunteers decorated the state rooms of the White House over the past week with adornments tied to the theme, including stacks of books, floating candles, and Christmas Tree decorations featuring photographs of previous first families.  

Those photos include the previous White House occupant – Donald and Melania Trump. There is a photo of the former first couple receiving the official White House Christmas tree on display. 

Also, the stockings on the fireplace in the State Dining Room contain the names of the Biden grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie, Hunter and Baby Beau. 

The Biden family got a tour of the decorations on Sunday afternoon, after they returned from their Thanksgiving holiday stay in New York, according to White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo.

Decorating the 55,000 square foot White House involved 41 Christmas Trees, 6,000 feet of ribbon, more than 300 candles and over 10,000 ornaments. 

The decorations were more low key than in the Trump years. There were fewer trees and they were smaller than in past years. The bling factor was notably less with fewer lights. Jill Biden kept the decor simple focused on her love of books and nature. 

Elizondo said for the first time ever there is a wreath on the pediment of the White House – the area outside the North Portico above the columnsp-  that is lit up. It was done at the first lady’s request. 

‘That’s never been done. … She loves wreaths. She loves Christmas. She loves lights. So she also asked for wreaths on the south side of the house. So this year for the first time ever we have three large wreaths illuminated on the Truman Balcony,’ he said. 

Biden also kept the COVID pandemic in mind as she planned out the holiday.

Even the famous Gingerbread White House – which is on display in the State Dining Room – paid tribute to frontline workers with eight detailed replicas of community buildings: a grocery store, school, post office, warehouse, hospital, fire station, police station, and gas station. 

On the school house building is a working school bell and two doves named Peace and Unity, in accordance with the holiday theme.

Pastry chef Susan Morrison said Dr. Biden, a community college professor, placed a gingerbread school teacher next to the school house on the display. 

‘One of the last things we had placed on the White House display was placed by Dr. Biden and that was the school teacher right here. We know how it is near and dear to her heart. So we left her place the last special piece on the display yesterday,’ she said. 

STOCKINGS HUNG BY CHIMNEY WITH CARE: The stockings on the fireplace in the State Dining Room feature the names of the Biden grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie, Hunter and Baby Beau

STOCKINGS HUNG BY CHIMNEY WITH CARE: The stockings on the fireplace in the State Dining Room feature the names of the Biden grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie, Hunter and Baby Beau

GINGERBREAD TIME: The Gingerbread White House - which is on display in the State Dining Room - paid tribute to frontline workers with eight detailed replicas of community buildings: a grocery store, school, post office, warehouse, hospital, fire station, police station, and gas station

GINGERBREAD TIME: The Gingerbread White House – which is on display in the State Dining Room – paid tribute to frontline workers with eight detailed replicas of community buildings: a grocery store, school, post office, warehouse, hospital, fire station, police station, and gas station

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST? A photo of former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were included in the holiday display in the State Dining Room

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST? A photo of former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were included in the holiday display in the State Dining Room 

OH CHRISTMAS TREE: The Blue Room's main Christmas tree was decorated with peace doves and ribbons listing all 50 states in alphebetical order

OH CHRISTMAS TREE: The Blue Room’s main Christmas tree was decorated with peace doves and ribbons listing all 50 states in alphebetical order

YUM: The Gingerbread White House and village is made of 55 sheets of baked gingerbread, 120 pounds of pastillage, 35 pounds of chocolate, and 25 pounds of royal icing

YUM: The Gingerbread White House and village is made of 55 sheets of baked gingerbread, 120 pounds of pastillage, 35 pounds of chocolate, and 25 pounds of royal icing 

The White House's gingerbread house is on display in the State Dining Room

The White House’s gingerbread house is on display in the State Dining Room 

White House gingerbread house

White House gingerbread house

Surrounding the White House: a hospital, a fire station, a police station, a gas station, a grocvery store, a school – complete with a gingerbread school teacher – a post office and a warehouse 

Photos of former first families were included on the decorations on the two trees in the State Dining Room; Jill Biden also included personal family photos

Photos of former first families were included on the decorations on the two trees in the State Dining Room; Jill Biden also included personal family photos

A giant bow and gift boxes greet visitors arriving to the White House's East Wing this holiday season

A giant bow and gift boxes greet visitors arriving to the White House’s East Wing this holiday season

Biden family photo

Biden family dog photo

Biden family photos, including one with late son Beau (left) and one of first dogs Champ, who passed away in June, and Major (right), adorn a tree in the State Dining Room  

A photo of the Obamas next to the Bidens on one of the White House Christmas trees

A photo of the Obamas next to the Bidens on one of the White House Christmas trees

The Gold Star Tree sits in the East Landing of the White House; it honors members of the military who died in service to the country and their families

The Gold Star Tree sits in the East Landing of the White House; it honors members of the military who died in service to the country and their families

The Gold Star tree is traditionally one of the first trees to greet guests at the White House

The Gold Star tree is traditionally one of the first trees to greet guests at the White House 

The Gold Star Tree, honoring fallen members of the U.S. military, sits in the East Landing at the White House

The Gold Star Tree, honoring fallen members of the U.S. military, sits in the East Landing at the White House

In the China Room, the first lady set the table 'nana style' with Obama china, flowers and candles

In the China Room, the first lady set the table ‘nana style’ with Obama china, flowers and candles 

The White House East Colonnade of the White House is decorated with peace doves

The White House East Colonnade of the White House is decorated with peace doves

The Vermeil Room is dedicated to visual arts and inspired by this Alma Thomas painting

The Vermeil Room is dedicated to visual arts and inspired by this Alma Thomas painting

Paint brushes were used in the decorations in the Vermeil Room

Paint brushes were used in the decorations in the Vermeil Room

Decorative books are seen in the White House library

Decorative books are seen in the White House library 

Decorations in East Room include thank you cards and notes

Decorations in East Room include thank you cards and notes

Giant thank you cards are on display in the White House East Room

Giant thank you cards are on display in the White House East Room 

Thank you cards on one of the trees in the White House's East Room

Thank you cards on one of the trees in the White House’s East Room 

A card written to President Joe Biden from a child that is on display in the White House East Room

A card written to President Joe Biden from a child that is on display in the White House East Room 

2021 White House Holiday Decorations by the numbers 

There are 41 Christmas trees throughout the White House.

Approximately 6,000 feet of ribbon, over 300 candles, and over 10,000 ornaments were used this year to decorate the White House.

Over 78,750 holiday lights decorate the Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths, and displays in the White House.

Twenty-five classic wreaths adorn the north and south facades of the White House.

It takes over 100 dedicated volunteers working a full week to decorate the inside and outside of the White House.

The Gingerbread White House is made of 55 sheets of baked gingerbread, 120 pounds of pastillage, 35 pounds of chocolate, and 25 pounds of royal icing. 

 Source: The White House

Biden will formally unveil the decorated White House on Monday afternoon, where she will be accompanied by a local National Guard family and a class of second graders from Maryland.  

Captain Maryanne Harrell; husband Levi; and their three children, Levi II, Marcus, and Elliana joined the first lady. The Harrell family was also at the White House last week when the official White House Christmas Tree arrived. 

Biden also invited Elliana’s 2nd grade class from Malcolm Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland to come to the White House to help her reveal th 2021 decorations. 

The first lady will also thank the more than 100 volunteers who decorated the White House and offer a message of ‘unity and gratitude,’ according to her office. 

Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo said the White House didn’t experience too many supply chain problems getting holiday decorations although some of the topiaries took longer to arrive.

‘We didn’t have too much problems with supply chain but there were some items that were backed up, obviously just like everybody else is experiencing in the country. But we did manage to source everything before the reveal,’ he said.

The White House recycles many of its decorations, using ones from Christmases past. 

The Bidens, who are spending their first holiday season in the White House as president and first lady, said they wanted the holiday decor to focus on ‘faith, family and friendship’ – which transcended even the ‘contraints’ of the COVID pandemic. 

‘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,’ Jill Biden and President Joe Biden wrote in a welcome letter at the beginning of the commemorative 2021 White House Holiday Guide.

Public tours of the White House remain suspended due to COVID, but videos, photos and details about the Christmas decorations are available at  WhiteHouse.gov/Holidays.

Throughout the holiday season, the White House will also provide interactive viewing experiences via Instagram, Google Maps Street View, Snapchat and other platforms, the East Wing said. 

For the first time there is a wreath on the pediment of the White House - the area outside the North Portico above the columns) that is lit up; it was done at the first lady’s request

For the first time there is a wreath on the pediment of the White House – the area outside the North Portico above the columns) that is lit up; it was done at the first lady’s request

The crosshallway of the White House with village scenes from America

The crosshallway of the White House with village scenes from America

The official White House Christmas tree is on display in the Blue Room

The official White House Christmas tree is on display in the Blue Room 

Reporters capture several Christmas trees positioned in the booksellers hallway of the White House

Reporters capture several Christmas trees positioned in the booksellers hallway of the White House

The East Colonnade is dedicated to gifts of service

The East Colonnade is dedicated to gifts of service  

The Crosshall is dedicated to gifts of faith

The Crosshall is dedicated to gifts of faith

FLOTUS wanted this replica of the stained glass window at Camp David included

FLOTUS wanted this replica of the stained glass window at Camp David included

Peace dove cookies were being handed out to reporters touring the decorations Monday morning

Peace dove cookies were being handed out to reporters touring the decorations Monday morning

Peace dove cookies were being handed out to reporters touring the decorations Monday morning 

The Obama china as seen in the China Room during the White House preview of holiday decorations

The Obama china as seen in the China Room during the White House preview of holiday decorations 

A Christmas tree is seen in the Red room

A Christmas tree is seen in the Red room 

The Red Room honors the 'Gift of the Performing Arts'

The Red Room honors the ‘Gift of the Performing Arts’ 

This year, each state room or wing of the White House has its own theme tying to the overall ‘Gifts from the Heart’ theme. The 10 areas inside the executive mansion have unique decorations tied to its subject. 

The East Wing of the White House, where the first lady’s offices are based, is dedicated to frontline workers and first responders in a ‘Gift of Service.’

Throughout the East Colonnade are iridescent doves and shooting stars to illuminate the hallway, representing the peace and light the workers gave during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Poinsettias topiaries opposite the windows to the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.

In the East Landing is the Gold Star Tree, which honors the men and women in the military who have died in service to the country and their families.   

In the library, Biden, a professor of English at a Northern Virginia Community College, gave it the ‘Gift of Learning’ to honor educators for finding new ways to connect and teach during the pandemic.

The White House Library holds approximately 2,700 volumes of books, focusing primarily on American history and literature.

The holiday decor include stacks of books as well as butterflies and birds made of recycled paper to remind Americans ‘with the Gift of Learning, we can soar to places we never imagined and rise to meet any challenge,’ the East Wing said.

The butterfly design decorating the room was the first lady’s idea. The butterflies were made out of recycled papers 

The Vermeil Room celebrates the ‘Gift of the Visual Arts’ and is decorated with paint brushes and paint swatches, representing American artists. 

The decorations were inspired by an Alma Thomas painting that President Obama brought. The painting – titled ‘Resurrection’ – was on display. It usually hangs in the private family dining room.

The China Room, which holds the tableware used by past presidential families, celebrates ‘The Gift of Friendship and Sharing.’  The table setting were done according to ‘Nana style’ with candles and flowers. The china on the table was from the Obama administration.

Gifts from the Heart theme throughout the White House

The state rooms in the White House are decorated in a unique theme to reflect the overall themee of ‘Gifts from the Heart.’ Those additional themes are:

• Faith

• Community

• Family

• Friendship

• The Arts

• Learning

• Nature

• Gratitude

• Service

• Peace

• Unity

 Source: The White House

Christmas trees fill every state room of the mansion and the ones in the China room have garlands in the form of intertwined hands symbolizing friendship, fellowship, and merriment.

In the Grand Foyer and Cross Hall of the main floor of the White House are floating candles as part of the ‘Gift of Faith and Community’ theme. 

 The hallway alcoves and tree displays depict wintry scenes of life within American towns and cities.

In one of the decorations was a replica of the stained glass window in the chapel at Camp David, done at Jill Biden’s request. It was made by a vendor from New York. It is the eagle seal of the president with the words ‘We the People.’ 

The East Room celebrates the ‘Gift of Gratitude,’ which is being symbolized by small acts of kindess and handwritten notes. 

The decorations on the trees were cards the president and first lady have received over the past year. There are also large thank you cards featuring messages from Joe and Jill Biden standing in the corners. 

The East Room, the largest public reception room of the White House, also holds the Neapolitan crèche of the manager scene, with over 40 figurines from the eighteenth century, It has been displayed here every holiday season since 1967.

The Green Room honors ‘Gift of Nature’ and its decorations include purple trees accented with natural orchids.  

The Blue Room features the Official White House Christmas Tree and has a theme of the ‘Gift of Peace and Unity.’ 

Cascading down the tree are peace doves carrying a shimmering banner embossed with the names of each state and territory of the United States, in alphabetical order starting from the top.

This year’s tree is an 18 ½ foot Fraser Fir from Jefferson, North Carolina.  The tradition of a White House Christmas Tree began during the Eisenhower administration.

Jill Biden welcomed the White House Christmas tree last week

Jill Biden welcomed the White House Christmas tree last week

The Red Room honors the ‘Gift of the Performing Arts.’ The decorations include brass instruments hanging from the mantel along with ballet slippers, tap shoes, and musical notes.  

Also in the Red Room, two cranberry topiaries are on display, a tradition which began in 1975.

The State Dining Room celebrates the ‘Gift of Family.’

The Biden family stockings are hanging on the fireplace that holds the inscription known as the White House blessing: ‘I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.’

It was taken from a letter written by President John Adams to his wife, Abigail, dated November 2, 1800. 

The Christmas Trees in the State Dining Room contain ornaments featuring photographs of first families, past and present. 

Those photos came from the archives. There are also several Biden family photos on the two trees. Dr. Biden picked out the pictures herself the last couple of times when she’s been in Delaware. 

‘She’s been going through old family albums to pick them out,’ Alexander said. 

The Trumps, Obamas, both Bushes, Reagans, and Carters all have photos on the tree. The Biden family photos include the kids and grandkids along with dogs Champ and Major.

On the fireplace are stockings with the Biden grandkids’ names: Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie, Hunter and Baby Beau. The stockings are from a vendor in Delaware and is the same vendor that made for stockings for Jill Biden of her kids and grandkids.  

The room also contains the famous Gingerbread White House. This year’s includes additional buildings honoring front line workers and first responders – a grocery store, school, post office, warehouse, hospital, fire station, police station, and gas station.

‘She wanted to help highlight the people that had gotten us through this pandemic – the frontline workers, the first responders and she also wanted an element that’s different, that’s not been done in the past,’ Elizondo said.

On the school house building is a working school bell and two doves named Peace and Unity, in accordance with the holiday theme. 

The White House pastry team used 55 sheets of baked gingerbread, 120 pounds of pastillage, 35 pounds of chocolate, and 25 pounds of royal icing. 

source: dailymail.co.uk