The weekend after Thanksgiving I start decorating for Christmas. There is just something about this holiday that I love. The joy, the fun, the excitement, and the looks on children faces never gets old, and sharing the ornaments and stockings that are part of my family history adds to the celebration. Christmas is timelessly traditional, and this year the White House Christmas celebrates just that.

It started with the arrival of the White House Christmas Tree just a few days ago. Which then swung the Christmas White House decorating into full gear. Monday after Thanksgiving the timeless beauty of Christmas was unveiled.

Some of the very first to see the White House decorated for Christmas were children of servicemen and women from Joint Base Andrews:

First lady Melania Trump hosted children to the White House Monday as she walked through a fully-decorated executive mansion, unveiling her vision of a Trump Christmas – simple, yet elegant, with elements of Americana and nature.

‘She’s beautiful, like an angel!’ one young boy remarked, as the first lady – whose cream-colored belted dress with bell sleeves could have been worn by a tree topper – walked into the East Room to help a group of kids make garland. ‘Are you the first lady?’ another youngster asked.

Yes, Melanie Trump is our First Lady and yes, she looked beautiful.

It’s hard to tell who had more fun, the First Lady or the children.

Yet the showcase was and is the Christmas decorations all across the White House. The White House tree, decorated with gold and blue bows along with vintage ornaments from each state and territory in the Blue Room:

The classically beautiful gingerbread house:

There is a Gold Star Christmas Tree near the East Colonnade with a message board for visitors to send greetings to all who are serving. Then on to the Grand Foyer and Cross Hall. Both are decorated with the very first theme the White House used for Christmas, The Nutcracker:

And most certainly, an homage to all that is Christmas, a beautiful Nativity scene:

But that’s not all.

In the Library, the Trumps put out an 1866 edition of Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol, protected by glass. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had read the the story at the White House each year he was in office, the White House noted.

Melania Trump continued her tour by sitting down with another group of children in what’s called the ‘Bookseller’s Area’ downstairs.

There, they colored White House Christmas cards underneath a display of Christmas cards sent out by the president and first lady going back to the Dwight D. Eisenhower years.

This year the White House is decorated to reflect “Time-Honored Traditions” in honor of 200 years of American Christmas traditions at the White House. 

“The President, Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People’s House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays. On behalf of my husband and Barron, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season.”

Beautifully decorated and honoring all that is special and timeless about Christmas. For all who visit the White House this month, it is evident you will get to see and experience something special this Christmas season!