Decorating The White House For Christmas 2015

2015 White House Christmas in Pictures

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The White House Christmas Tree arrives at the Executive Mansion on November 28, 2015. This year's official White House Christmas tree is an 18.5-foot tall Fraser fir grown in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

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First Lady Michelle Obama and the First Family pets, Sunny and Bo, were on hand for the arrival of the 2015 White House Christmas Tree's arrival. Growers Jay and Glenn Bustard presented the tree to the first lady. It will be put up and on display in the Blue Room.

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Over 68,000 guests from across the country and around the world are expected to visit the White House during the 2015 holiday season. As guests enter the White House, they are greeted by a family of penguins. A glitter-clad sleigh is filled with ornaments and has two baby penguins at the reins.

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In the East Visitor Entrance and East Wing Hallway, bulbs of every color adorn the chandeliers and railings. The majority of the holiday decor was designed by Rafanelli Events and executed by 89 volunteers from across the country.

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In the East Visitor Landing, an installation of mailboxes, care packages, and garland made with airmail envelopes decorate the landing. Each year, as part of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces initiative, guests have been invited to share a note with service members. In 2015, rather than sending hand written notes, visitors will have the opportunity to share digital messages using iPads set up on the East Landing.

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As part of the First Lady's Reach Higher initiative, a collection of hand-cut paper snowflakes hang from the ceiling of the East Colonnade. Some of these snowflakes were made by students from Amidon-Bowen Elementary School and Horton's Kid in Washington, D.C. and bear the hand-written aspirations of these students. Other snowflakes represent each of the 56 states and territories and feature iconic symbols from across America such as the state flags and seals.

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Outside the East Colonnade, 56 "snow people" represent the number of states and territories in the United States.

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Larger-than-life Bo and Sunny replicas, created out of nearly 55,000 feet of yarn knitted into 7,000 yarn pom-poms, greet visitors in the East Garden Room. Topiaries, wreaths, and ropes, comprised of tennis balls continue a dog's dream decor. A holiday poem to America from Bo and Sunny is featured on the wall.

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The silver display of the Lower Cross Hall features arch instillation of garland accented by silver balls and nearly 4,000 bells.

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Carol Lim and Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony and KENZO designed the decorations in the Library. The Room pays homage to the more than 2,700 books housed in the Library. Threaded throughout the library are quotes from great writers and scholars, to honor America's prolific thinkers and rich history.

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The Library is themed as a holiday forest of novels and manuscripts. The text of books decorates the room and celebrates the American story. Some design details include handcrafted, custom-made book ornaments, original quill arrangements, and hand-painted, marbleized globes.

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For 2015, the Vermeil Room was designed and decorated by Duro Olowu. The two eight-foot Christmas trees are draped with vintage fabrics, ribbons, and ornate applique and toys. The centerpiece diorama consists of miniature faux shell Christmas trees with gilded white-gold base to reflect the room's silver collection. The tree is set on a base draped in African fabric, and has a collection of 1920s French porcelain dolls surrounded by Italian furniture.

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With decor designed by Carolina Herrera, the White House China Room was decorated with fresh pine, evergreen, and eucalyptus garland. The central table is wrapped in classic navy plaid and topped with a pine tree and vibrant red gift boxes. Throughout the room, Kailua Blue ribbons represent the Obama China Service.

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Like a child's dream, the State Dining Room is full of gumballs and toys. There is a giant gumball machine and a gumball tree that was created with nearly 4,000 colorful gumballs. The room also features hundreds of vintage nutcrackers.

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The White House Gingerbread House in the State Dining Room is an annual tradition. This year's gingerbread house is close to 500 pounds—with more than 250 pounds of gingerbread dough, 150 pounds of dark chocolate, 25 pounds of gum paste, 25 pounds of pulled and sculpted sugar work, and 25 pounds of icing.

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For 2015, the Red Room of the White House is decorated with apple wreaths in the window and cranberry trees on the tables.

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The 2015 White House Christmas Tree is an 18.5-foot Fraser fir grown in Pennsylvania. Messages to our troops from their families encircle the tree on a ribbon. At the end of the season, each military family will receive their portion of the ribbon as a symbol of the nation's gratitude.

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The Green Room for 2015 features wreaths throughout, festooned with gold leaves. The mantel and trees feature purple and teal ornaments with peacock feathers.

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Oversized ornaments are strung between columns in the White House Grand Foyer for 2015. The foyer also features glittering gold vases, crimson holly, and wreaths of Ilex berry displayed in the windows.

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President Barack Obama lights the 2015 National Christmas Tree on The Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on December 3, 2015. This is the seventh consecutive year that LED lights have been used to light the National Christmas Tree and the 53rd year that GE has provided the lighting.

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Muppet Miss Piggy and First Lady Michelle Obama read to children at the National Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3, 2015.

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From left, Santa Claus, Singer Andre Day, Singer Aloe Blacc, Actress Reese Witherspoon, President Barack Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama, the First Lady's mother, Marian Robinson, and First Lady Michelle Obama sing songs at the National Tree Lighting on December 3, 2015.

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First Lady Michelle Obama holds the 2015 White House Historical Association Christmas ornament as she hangs it on a tree in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Dec. 10, 2015.

Official White Houst Photo by Chuck Kennedy
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First Lady Michelle Obama holds the White House Historical Association Christmas ornament, showing off the back of the 2015 ornament, as she hangs it on a tree in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Dec. 10, 2015.

Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy

About this Gallery

From the arrival of the White House Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving to the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, the White House and it's residence share the holiday cheer felt by all of the country. And each year since 1961, the White House decorates its halls with a holiday theme. This year's theme, A Timeless Tradition, reflects long-held traditions cherished across America, and commemorates extraordinary moments that shaped the country during the past two centuries. Browse our gallery for a closer look at the 2015 White House holiday season.