Photo: White House
Jill Bidenon Monday unveiled this year’s White House holiday decorations, the results of months of planning and coordination between the first lady, the executive residence staff and a team of more than 150 volunteers.
The 2022 decorations are themed “We the People,” and feature 83,615 holiday lights, 77 Christmas trees, a gingerbread house bedecked in 40 pounds of icing — and nods to the White House pets: German ShepherdCommanderand catWillow.
Dr. Biden unveiled the decorations alongside National Guard families Monday, invoking the memory of the Bidens' late son, Beau, a former member of the Guard.
“As a fellow National Guard mom and grandmom, I wanted to welcome National Guard families to help us open this holiday season as my honored guests,” she said. “Your service is the embodiment of We the People.”
White House
In a welcome letter in the 2022 White House Holiday Guide, the president and first lady expanded on the theme, writing: “For this year’s holidays at the White House, we hope to capture the spirit embodied in the very idea of America:We the People. During your visit to the People’s House, through rooms full of history and holiday décor, in the mirrored ornaments and reflective lights, our hope is that you feel at home and find yourself in the great story of America. May the promise ofWe the Peoplelight our path forward into the New Year and bring us together always.”
Each room of the White House is decorated in this year’s theme, which the White House explains in a release is meant to symbolize “what brings us together during the holidays and throughout the year.”
In the China Room, decorations like garlands of wooden spoons, measuring cups, rolling pins, and cookies represent old family traditions. In the Vermeil Room, acts of kindness are on display via oversized presents wrapped in patterned paper and spools of ribbon, including two boxes in which replicas of the Biden family pets — German Shepherd Commander and cat Willow — can be seen playfully hiding inside.
Adorning this year’s tree are handmade renderings of the official birds from all 57 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, “illustrating the beauty and strength that comes from unity,” the White House said in the release.
In prepared remarks during Monday’s official unveiling of the decorations, Dr. Biden noted that her travels across the country helped inform this year’s theme.
“Over the last two years, I’ve traveled to almost 40 states — to rural counties and big cities,” she said. “Again and again, the Americans I’ve met have shown me the Soul of our Nation. I’ve seen it everywhere I’ve gone: When our country comes together, we are stronger. What we share is so much greater than the things that pull us apart. The Soul of our Nation is – and always has been – ‘We the People.’ And that is what inspired this year’s White House holiday decorations.”
Among the other notable pieces of holiday decor is the annual gingerbread replica of the White House, made with 20 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 30 sheets of gingerbread dough, 100 pounds of pastillage, 30 pounds of chocolate, and 40 pounds of royal icing.
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The White House expects to welcome approximately 50,000 visitors during the holiday season. Additionally, a variety of virtual interactive viewing experiences will launch on digital platforms this year.
source: people.com
