2017 Christmas Tour of the White House

It is an awe-inspiring event anytime I have ever visited the “People’s House.” But I think it’s most beautiful when it’s decorated for Christmas, and this year, it was truly breathtaking.

The Grand Foyer and Cross Hall were absolutely stunning. White lights and “snow” decorated the numerous trees throughout and crystal nutcracker and ballet dancer ornaments paid tribute to one of my family’s Christmas favorites--Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet.

The East Room, the largest room in the White House, always features a perennial favorite—a large crèche with angels suspended overhead. The crèche was gifted to the White House by Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard in 1967. This year was its 50th.

The Green Room included lots of natural ornaments and paper vignettes of Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and their family members in the windows overlooking the South Lawn. The Red Room, with its fun candy decorations, was a nice reminder that a child is once again a resident of this special place.

The Blue Room, as always, showcased the annual Christmas tree. It is always received each year via horse drawn carriage outside the North Portico—something you can check out in online videos. This year’s tree was from Wisconsin and measured18 feet, six inches. It held ornaments from every state and each of the U.S. territories. Guests always line up in the Cross Hall to have their photo taken with this tree in the background through the doorway. The doorway has the presidential seal overtop—which makes for a great photo!

I especially like the State Dining Room, and had breakfast once there myself. The gingerbread White House is always featured here. It is always a favorite with guests and this year it did not disappoint! This year’s version featured the South Portico—the beautiful semi-circular side of the exterior. The White House Pastry Chef Susie Morrison and the pastry team used 200 pounds of gingerbread, 100 pounds of pastillage dough and 20 pounds each of royal icing and chocolate!

One new room open to the public this year was the Movie Theater. For the first time, visitors were able to see where the First Families watch their favorite movies. On the screen was a still of the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life.

If you have never visited the White House, why don’t you put it on your to-do list? It’s one way to help make your own life more wonderful and rich—a time to reflect about the specialness of our country, to celebrate its unique history, and to pause in appreciation for those who have invested their own lives to make our freedom and opportunity possible. It will be a visit to remember. To find out how to schedule a tour, contact the office of your member of Congress.