Magic, Wonder & Joy is the theme for the 2023 White House Christmas decorations. It’s all about how children experience the season and it’s designed to be bigger than life, transporting us all back to childhood.

It’s a good time to put our political differences aside and just enjoy the season and the beauty of our nation’s Capitol.

I wanted to visit the White House for a while now . . . . particularly at Christmas. Last spring I heard a presentation by one of the volunteers who helped make it all happen; this year, 300 strong. The volunteers come from around the country and pay their own expenses to get to DC and stay for a week. The work is intense and they spend much of it working in a warehouse painting, gluing, cutting, and assembling. Then it’s a mad rush to put it all together for public viewing. The talented lady I heard speak had applied for 11 years before finally being accepted. This year’s decorations used almost 15,000′ of ribbon, 350+ candles, more than 33,800 ornaments, 22,000+ bells, 142,425 lights, 98 Christmas trees, and 72 outside wreaths.

In the first pic above my granddaughter looks at the booklet given to all visitors with the Gold Star tree in the background. The tree honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. My grandson is watching the train at this favorite spot on the tour in the second pic. The train runs around the official White House Christmas Tree located in the Blue Room. This year’s tree is an 18 1/2′ tall Frasier Fir from Fleetwood, NC.

After entering through the East Wing, the self-guided tour had stops at the Library, Vermeil, China, East, Green, and Red Rooms. Each room and corridor is packed with historical artifacts, portraits, and significant artwork (but that would be another entire post). We weren’t allowed to take any photos in the State Dining Room because they were doing some detail work adding a quote from President John Adams (in 1800) to the mantel. Secret Service agents are scattered throughout and can answer any questions. Since most state dinners are in this room I inquired about the capacity and was told up to 140 at round tables. It would be a cozy fit. It’s hard to pick, but I would have to go with the Green Room (once Thomas Jefferson’s dining room) as my favorite; so quietly elegant, calming, and inviting. The tour ended passing through Cross Hall and out the Grand Foyer, where everyone was presented a chocolate candy bar.

For those that don’t know, you contact your US Representative to Congress online for the free tickets. Be sure to do it well in advance, it books up quickly during the holidays. Special thanks to our son-in-law for making all the arrangements. You can’t take in a purse and I was surprised we were allowed to take pics, just no flash or video.

Now, I’m going to let the pictures share a bit of the magic!