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First Lady Decks The White House Halls

NPR | By Barbara Sprunt
Published November 26, 2018 at 6:23 PM EST
The White House Historical Association's official 2018 Christmas ornament hangs on a tree in the White House library on Monday.
1 of 10  — The White House Historical Association's official 2018 Christmas ornament hangs on a tree in the White House library on Monday.
The White House Historical Association's official 2018 Christmas ornament hangs on a tree in the White House library on Monday.
At 18 feet tall, the official White House Christmas tree is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with the name of each state and territory, and is on display in the Blue Room.
2 of 10  — At 18 feet tall, the official White House Christmas tree is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with the name of each state and territory, and is on display in the Blue Room.
At 18 feet tall, the official White House Christmas tree is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with the name of each state and territory, and is on display in the Blue Room.
More than 40 red topiary trees greet guests when they first enter the East Colonnade, which leads to the East Garden Room, where the first family's Christmas card is on display.
3 of 10  — More than 40 red topiary trees greet guests when they first enter the East Colonnade, which leads to the East Garden Room, where the first family's Christmas card is on display.
More than 40 red topiary trees greet guests when they first enter the East Colonnade, which leads to the East Garden Room, where the first family's Christmas card is on display.
A detail of the official White House Christmas tree, which is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with the name of each state and territory.
4 of 10  — A detail of the official White House Christmas tree, which is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with the name of each state and territory.
A detail of the official White House Christmas tree, which is dressed in over 500 feet of blue velvet ribbon embroidered in gold with the name of each state and territory.
Decorations in the East Room are meant to show the "diversity and ingenuity of American architecture and design" — and include four custom mantelpieces that depict the skylines of St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco and New York City.
5 of 10  — Decorations in the East Room are meant to show the "diversity and ingenuity of American architecture and design" — and include four custom mantelpieces that depict the skylines of St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco and New York City.
Decorations in the East Room are meant to show the "diversity and ingenuity of American architecture and design" — and include four custom mantelpieces that depict the skylines of St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco and New York City.
The Red Room, decorated to highlight the first lady's "Be Best" initiative, is supposed to "celebrate children through the décor, which displays ways in which children can excel in their own path."
6 of 10  — The Red Room, decorated to highlight the first lady's "Be Best" initiative, is supposed to "celebrate children through the décor, which displays ways in which children can excel in their own path."
The Red Room, decorated to highlight the first lady's "Be Best" initiative, is supposed to "celebrate children through the décor, which displays ways in which children can excel in their own path."
The United States Marine Band performs holiday music in the decorated Grand Foyer at the White House on Monday.
7 of 10  — The United States Marine Band performs holiday music in the decorated Grand Foyer at the White House on Monday.
The United States Marine Band performs holiday music in the decorated Grand Foyer at the White House on Monday.
The Red Room, decorated to highlight the "Be Best" initiative.
8 of 10  — The Red Room, decorated to highlight the "Be Best" initiative.
The Red Room, decorated to highlight the "Be Best" initiative.
Holiday decorations in the East Room celebrate American architecture and design with a custom mantelpiece of the New York City skyline.
9 of 10  — Holiday decorations in the East Room celebrate American architecture and design with a custom mantelpiece of the New York City skyline.
Holiday decorations in the East Room celebrate American architecture and design with a custom mantelpiece of the New York City skyline.
Another view of the decorations in the Red Room, decorated to highlight "Be Best."
10 of 10  — Another view of the decorations in the Red Room, decorated to highlight "Be Best."
Another view of the decorations in the Red Room, decorated to highlight "Be Best."

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House.

First lady Melania Trump designed the decorations for the people's house, choosing an "American Treasures" theme intended to showcase a spirit of patriotism. The administration debuted the decorations Monday.

During December, the White House will open its doors for more than 100 open house events. More than 30,000 visitors are projected to take part in public tours.

For those of you who can't make it to Washington, D.C., for a White House holiday tour, take a look.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Barbara Sprunt
Barbara Sprunt is a correspondent on NPR's Washington Desk covering Congress.
See stories by Barbara Sprunt
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