The holiday season is a time for traditions. Since the 1900s, the White House walls have been adorned with stunning Christmas-themed decorations. The first official Christmas tree was placed in the historic site in 1929 by the Hoover administration. Since then, it has been the tradition for the first lady to choose the appointed theme for holiday decorations. See photos below.
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First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, White House Christmas 1962
Image Credit: Getty Images John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy with their family on Christmas Day at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 25, 1962.
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First Lady Lyndon Johnson, White House Christmas 1967
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, on the eve of her 55th birthday in front of the White House Christmas tree in Washington D.C., on Dec. 20, 1967.
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First Lady Thelma Catherine Nixon, White House Christmas 1971
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive Richard Nixon Thelma Catherine Nixon and their family in front of the White House Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 24.
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First Lady Rosalynn Carter, White House Christmas 1977
Image Credit: Getty Images Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter, with their daughter, Amy, in front of the White House Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 20.
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First Lady Nancy Reagan, White House Christmas 1982
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive Nancy Reagan decorating the White House Christmas Tree on Dec. 10.
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First Lady Hillary Clinton, White House Christmas 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images Hillary Clinton listening to chef Roland Mesnier explain how a gingerbread house was made on Dec. 4, 2000, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Hillary Clinton, White House Christmas 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House dining room was decorated for Christmas on Dec. 4, 2000, in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Holiday Reflections.”
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First Lady Hillary Clinton, White House Christmas 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images Two decorated Christmas trees outside of the White House on Dec. 4, 2000, in Washington D.C., where former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the theme was “Holiday Reflections.
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First Lady Hillary Clinton, White House Christmas 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday ornaments at the White House on Dec. 4, 2000, when the theme was ”Holiday Reflections.”
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First Lady Hillary Clinton, White House Christmas 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images Musicians perform at the White House following former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s announcement that “Holiday Reflections” will be the White House holiday theme on Dec. 4, 2000.
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First Lady Hillary Clinton, White House Christmas 2000
Image Credit: Getty Images Hillary Rodham Clinton next to a gingerbread house on Dec. 4, 2000.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images First lady Laura Bush shows off some of the many Christmas decorations at the White House on Dec. 3, 2001.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images The small manican’s a part of the White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 3, 2001.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images First lady Laura Bush shows off the official White House Christmas tree on Dec. 3, 2001.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images A Christmas tree stands in the middle of the White House on Dec. 3, 2001.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images Volunteers work on Christmas decorations at the White House on Nov. 30, 2001.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2002
Image Credit: Getty Images A decorated 18-foot tall fir tree at the White House on Dec. 5, 2002, in Washington, D.C, where the decorations focused on residential pets.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2002
Image Credit: Getty Images A creche part of the Christmas decorations at the White House on Dec. 5, 2002, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2002
Image Credit: Getty Images Former first lady Laura Bush next to a gingerbread house in the White House on Dec. 5, 2002.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2002
Image Credit: Getty Images Laura Bush at the White House on Dec. 5, 2002.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images A Frazer Fir tree is part of White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 4, 2003.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images A statue of “The Cat in The Hat” inside the White House on Dec. 4, 2003.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images A statue of Harry Potter in the White House on Dec. 4, 2003.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images First lady Laura Bush as she unveils the 2003 White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 4, 2003.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images First lady Laura Bush showcasing the White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 4, 2003.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations during a press preview of the White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 2, 2004.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images First lady Laura Bush reveals a gingerbread house during a press preview tour of the Christmas decorations at the White House on Dec. 2, 2004.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations during a press preview of the White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 2, 2004.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Laura Bush and former President George Bush in front of the official White House Christmas Tree during the 2004 holiday season in the White House Dec. 5, 2004.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations during a press preview of the White House Christmas decorations Dec. 2, 2004 in Washington, DC.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House decorated for Christmas during a media preview of holiday decorations on Nov. 30, when the theme was “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images A one-of-a-kind edible gingerbread White House by White House Executive Pastry Chef Thaddeus DuBois is displayed on Nov. 30, 2005.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images White lilies and crystal spheres cover the White House Christmas Tree during the media preview on Nov. 30.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images Laura Bush shows off the White House gingerbread house on Nov. 30, 2005.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images A holiday tree is seen in the White House during a media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 30, 2005.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images The gingerbread house during a media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 30, 2006.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images Laura Bush during a media preview of the holiday decorations at the White House on Nov. 30, 2006.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images The 2006 official White House ornament during a media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 30 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Deck the Halls and Welcome All.”
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images Ornaments on a holiday tree during a media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 30, 2006.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images U.S. first lady Laura Bush during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Holiday in the National Parks.”
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree on Nov. 29.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images The gingerbread White House during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 29, 2007.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images A member of the press cut a piece of dessert during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 29.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images Cookies that will be served at the White House holiday parties displayed during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations on Nov. 29, 2007.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images An ornament featuring former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt hung on the official White House Christmas tree during a media preview of the 2008 holiday decorations on Dec. 3 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “A Red, White and Blue Christmas.”
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images A Christmas wreath is hung at a window in the White House on Dec. 3 in Washington, DC.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images Ornaments during a media preview of the 2008 holiday decorations at the White House on Dec. 3 in Washington, DC.
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First Lady Laura Bush, White House Christmas 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images A gingerbread White House on display at the White House on Dec. 3 in Washington, DC.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images A close-up of the ornaments during the media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Dec. 2 in Washington, DC.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images The East Room during the 2009 media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Dec. 2 hosted by Michelle Obama, where the theme was “Reflect Rejoice Renew.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images The annual gingerbread house during the media preview of the White House holiday decorations on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images A replica of the White House vegetable garden during the media preview of the White House on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree during a media tour of the holiday decorations on Dec. 1 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Simple Gifts.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images White House holiday decorations during a media tour on Dec. 1 in Washington, D.C., where the decoration theme was “Simple Gifts.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images A portrait of George Bush during a media tour of the White House holiday decorations.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images First lady Michelle Obama during an event at the White House on Dec. 1 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree on display during the first viewing of the 2011 White House Christmas decorations on Nov. 30 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images Handcrafted tabletop trees made from recycled aluminum during the first viewing of the 2011 White House Christmas decorations on Nov. 30, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree on display during the first viewing of the 2011 White House Christmas decorations on Nov. 30, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree on display during the 2011 White House Christmas decorations on Nov. 30, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images A stained glass window, created by Chicago-based artist David Lee Csicsko during the 2012 White House holiday decorations preview on Nov. 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Joy to All.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree during a preview of the 2012 White House holiday decorations on Nov. 28, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House gingerbread house during the 2013 holiday decorations on Dec. 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images Michelle Obama greeting military children with her dog Sunny during an event to preview the 2013 holiday decorations on Dec. 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images A Christmas tree in the White House on Dec. 4, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images A Christmas tree stands the White House during an event to preview the 2013 holiday decorations on Dec. 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations displayed in the White House during an event to preview the 2013 holiday decorations on Dec. 4, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations displayed during an event to preview the 2013 holiday decorations on Dec. 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations in the White House on Dec. 3, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images U.S. forme First Lady Michelle Obama during a preview of the 2014 holiday decorations in the White House Dec. 3, 2014, in Washington, D.C., where the the theme was “A Children’s Winter Wonderland.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images A dress form mannequin sits in place of the traditional Christmas tree in White House on Dec. 3, 2014, in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “A Children’s Winter Wonderland.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations featuring the former first dogs Bo and Sunny at the East Garden Room of the White House.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations at the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden of the White House on Dec. 3, 2014.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images A chocolate gingerbread house during Michelle Obama’s preview of the 2015 holiday decor at the White House on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images A large Nutcracker a part of the holiday decorations in the White House on Dec. 2, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images Michelle Obama talks with children during a preview of the 2015 holiday decor at the White House on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images A chandelier is reflected in a decorated mirror during a preview of the 2015 holiday decor at the White House on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images Ornaments on display during Michelle Obama’s preview of the 2015 holiday decor at the White House on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations in the White House on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “The Gift of the Holidays.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations in the White House on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “The Gift of the Holidays.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas Tree in the White House on Nov. 29, 2016 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “The Gift of the Holidays.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Holiday decorations at the White House on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “The Gift of the Holidays.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images White House holiday cookies during a press tour at the White House on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “The Gift of the Holidays.”
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First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Christmas 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House Gingerbread House on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “The Gift of the Holidays.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree during a press preview of the 2017 holiday decorations on Nov. 27 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Time-Honored Traditions.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images The Vermeil Room at the White House during a press preview of the 2017 holiday decorations on Nov. 27 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Time-Honored Traditions.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House creche at the White House during a press preview of the 2017 holiday decorations on Nov. 27 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Time-Honored Traditions.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images Ornaments on a Christmas tree at the White House during a press preview of the 2017 holiday decorations on Nov. 27 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Time-Honored Traditions.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images The Vermeil Room at the White House during a press preview of the 2017 holiday decorations on Nov. 27 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Time-Honored Traditions.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2018
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas tree on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “American Treasures.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2018
Image Credit: Getty Images The White House Historical Association Official 2018 White House Christmas Ornament on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “American Treasures.”
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First Lady Melania Trump, White House Christmas 2018
Image Credit: Getty Images The first family’s official Christmas ornament displayed at the White House on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “American Treasures.”
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images Ornaments are displayed on the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House during a press preview of the holiday decorations Nov. 29, 2021, in Washington, D.C. The 2021 White House holidays theme is “Gifts from the Heart.”
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images The official White House Christmas Tree in the White House during a press preview of the holiday decorations Nov. 29, 2021.
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images An ornament of a portrait of U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hung on a Christmas Tree in the White House on Nov. 29, 2021, in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “Gifts from the Heart.”
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decoration that features the former first cat Willow in the White House during a press preview of the holiday décor on Nov. 28, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations displayed in the East Room of the White House during a press preview of the holiday décor on Nov. 28, 2022, in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “We the People.”
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations displayed in the White House during a press preview of the holiday décor on Nov. 28, 2022, in Washington, D.C., where the theme was “We the People.”
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations displayed during a White House press preview on Nov. 28, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
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First Lady Jill Biden, White House Christmas 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Christmas decorations featuring the Biden family’s pets, Commander and Willow displayed in the White House during a press preview of the holiday décor on Nov. 28, 2022 in Washington, DC, where the theme was “We the People.”