In a cherished White House tradition that marks the official start of the holiday season, First Lady Melania Trump welcomed the arrival of the official White House Christmas Tree on Sunday, as a horse-drawn wagon delivered the majestic 20-foot concolor fir to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The towering evergreen, which will serve as the centerpiece of the Blue Room’s holiday decorations, arrived in style befitting the executive mansion’s storied traditions. The ceremonial delivery by horse-drawn wagon adds a touch of old-world elegance to what has become one of the most anticipated moments of the White House holiday season.
Standing before the impressive conifer that will soon grace the Blue Room, the First Lady expressed her approval of this year’s selection. “It’s a beautiful tree,” Trump said of the massive evergreen. “Merry Christmas!”
The arrival of the official White House Christmas Tree represents more than just holiday decoration—it symbolizes the beginning of an elaborate transformation that will see the executive mansion adorned with thousands of ornaments, miles of ribbon, and countless lights. The Blue Room tree serves as the crown jewel of these decorations, visible to the thousands of visitors who tour the White House during the holiday season.
This annual tradition has been a fixture of White House holiday celebrations for decades, with each administration putting its own unique spin on the holiday theme and decorations. The concolor fir, known for its pleasant citrus scent and sturdy branches, makes an ideal choice for supporting the elaborate ornaments that will soon adorn its limbs.
The tree’s journey to the White House represents the culmination of a careful selection process, with the chosen evergreen coming from tree farms across the country. Once installed in the Blue Room, it will undergo a meticulous decorating process that typically takes several days to complete, with White House staff and volunteers working to create a holiday masterpiece that reflects the spirit of the season.
As the holiday season officially begins at the nation’s most famous residence, the arrival of this magnificent tree signals the start of what promises to be a memorable Christmas celebration at the White House, continuing a tradition that brings joy to visitors and serves as a symbol of American holiday spirit.
