The 2024 White House Christmas decorations, unveiled by First Lady Jill Biden with the theme “A Season of Peace and Light,” have sparked a plethora of partisan remarks. The elaborate display has been especially targeted by Republican critics, mirroring a long-standing political tradition of critiquing the annual festive decor at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The current year’s display includes 83 Christmas trees, ornamented with over 28,000 decorations, nearly 10,000 feet of ribbon, and more than 165,000 lights. The centerpiece of the Blue Room is the official White House Christmas tree, a towering Fraser fir, encircled by a carousel decorated with reindeer, swans, and other animals on poles, reminiscent of an amusement park.
The tree is adorned with twinkling lights, three-dimensional sweets such as peppermints and ribbon candies, and the names of every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia.
Upon entering the White House, guests pass under a rotating starlight before encountering the Gold Star tree, a tribute to the families of fallen service members. The East Colonnade is lined with bells, symbolizing holiday sounds, while the East Room showcases reflective decorations simulating falling snow. Other rooms, like the Green and Red Rooms, feature unique elements such as colored glass ornaments and paper doves carrying peace messages. The State Dining Room is dominated by a large gingerbread replica of the White House, complete with ice skaters and snow-covered miniature trees.
Despite the sentimental thought and craftsmanship behind the decorations, they have received negative remarks from right-leaning critics. The display was labeled as resembling the aftermath of “circus clowns projectile vomiting all over the White House.” Moreover, Abigail Jackson, Communications Director for Senator Josh Hawley, commented on social media that the “circus-themed” decorations were “fitting.”
This political backlash isn’t new, with similar criticism experienced by former First Lady Melania Trump in 2017 for her minimalist white branches, which some compared to horror film settings. A later-revealed recording showed Melania expressing frustration over the scrutiny of holiday decorations, saying, “I’m working my (expletive) off on the Christmas stuff… but I need to do it, right?” she said.
The criticism of this year’s decor seems as much about political perceptions as aesthetics. The carousel and brightly lit ornaments were designed to instill joy and a sense of childlike wonder. However, opponents made use of this opportunity to frame the decorations as a metaphor for broader cultural and political criticisms of the Biden administration. The trend of politicizing holiday decor has intensified in recent years, indicating the deepening divide even over something as universally celebrated as Christmas.
Regardless of the criticism, Jill Biden stressed the unity and joy intended to be conveyed by the decorations. While addressing National Guard families and volunteers who assisted in preparing the display, she expressed her gratitude for their contributions. “This would not be possible without your work,” she said. “It’s been incredible to watch all of you transform this space year after year.”
In the final holiday season of President Biden’s administration, the complexity of modern politics is reflected in the White House decorations. Originally intended to symbolize peace and light, the display finds itself in the crossfire of partisan debate as critics and supporters project their perspectives onto the holiday spectacle.