Melania Trump unveiled the White House Christmas decorations on December 1, 2025. This marks her family’s first holiday season back in the executive mansion.

The theme for this year is “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” There are 51 Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, more than 25,000 feet of ribbon, and over 10,000 butterflies fluttering across the State Floor.

The decorations also give a nod to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You can spot patriotic touches almost everywhere you look.

This year, things look a bit different thanks to President Donald Trump‘s decision to demolish the East Wing in October. He’s finally getting that ballroom he’s wanted for ages.

The Gold Star families tree, which usually sat in the East Wing, now cozies up in the Blue Room with the official White House Christmas tree. Volunteer decorators from all over the country pitched in, stringing up over 2,000 strands of lights and working with 120 pounds of gingerbread.

Patriotic displays honor military families, and you’ll even find unique Lego portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump—each made from more than 6,000 puzzle pieces. The decorations mix classic holiday charm with bold, very American themes.

The White House expects tens of thousands of visitors to wander through, soaking up the festive spirit during guided tours and special events. If you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket, you’re in for a treat.

Melania Trump’s 2025 White House Christmas Theme and Vision

First Lady Melania Trump revealed the 2025 White House Christmas decorations on December 1. The theme is “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” and it’s everywhere—more than 50 Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, 700 feet of garland, and 10,000 butterflies fill the mansion.

The Meaning Behind ‘Home Is Where the Heart Is’

Melania drew inspiration from her life as a mother and her business career for this year’s theme. “The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” she shared in her announcement.

She tied this idea to the holidays. “This Christmas, let’s celebrate the love we hold within ourselves, and share it with the world around us,” Melania said. She really believes home is so much more than walls and a roof.

The decorations spotlight American values—warmth, unity, and togetherness. Melania wants visitors to remember that home comes from shared traditions and community, not just a building.

Planning and Inspiration for the Decorations

Melania tapped Hervé Pierre, a renowned designer, to help bring her vision to life. Pierre also designed a limited-edition tour booklet, so you can take a piece of the holidays home with you.

Even though she spent much of 2025 away from D.C., Melania stayed involved in every detail. She handpicked design elements and signed off on the final touches.

Tradition lives on with 75 of Melania’s signature wreaths, each with classic red bows, lining the White House windows. Over 25,000 feet of ribbon ties everything together, quite literally.

Classic and Non-Traditional Decor Elements

The official White House Christmas tree stands tall—18 feet—in the Blue Room. This concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan, honors Gold Star Families with gold stars and ornaments for every U.S. state and territory.

There’s a mix of the expected and the surprising this year:

Blue Room: An 18-foot tree dedicated to military families
Red Room: Blue butterflies for transformation, dedicated to foster care
Green Room: Presidential portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump made from over 6,000 puzzle pieces
East Room: Patriotic red, white, and blue displays for America’s 250th anniversary
State Dining Room: A gingerbread house built with more than 120 pounds of gingerbread

The Red Room shakes things up with blue butterflies instead of the usual red. This room shines a light on foster care, a cause Melania has cared about since 2021. Butterflies, here, stand for renewal and transformation—pretty fitting for the season, don’t you think?

Iconic Rooms and Signature Decorations on Display

Every historic room gets its own moment in the spotlight. Themes honor American values and traditions, and you’ll spot everything from puzzle portraits to butterfly installations as you wander through.

Blue Room: White House Christmas Tree and Gold Star Families

The Blue Room hosts the official White House Christmas Tree, an 18-foot concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan. It’s the centerpiece—no question about it—and it means a lot to military families.

Gold stars and custom ornaments cover the branches, each one representing the official bird and flower of every state and territory. This is more than just pretty decor; it’s a tribute to Gold Star Families who’ve lost loved ones in service.

The tree’s Michigan roots continue a tradition of picking trees from all over the country. Concolor firs have strong branches and a classic look, which makes them ideal for all those ornaments. The gold star theme is a nod to the strength, courage, and sacrifice of military families throughout U.S. history.

Red Room: Fostering the Future and Be Best Initiatives

The Red Room takes on the Fostering the Future initiative. Melania’s been a big supporter of the foster-care community since 2021.

Blue butterflies fill the space, creating what organizers call a “transformational experience.” The butterflies symbolize change and renewal, echoing the journey of those in foster care.

Designer Hervé Pierre made sure Melania’s vision came through. He even created a limited-edition tour booklet as a keepsake. You’ll find thousands of butterflies throughout the White House, but the Red Room really steals the show.

Green Room: Presidential Lego Portraits and Family Fun

Two presidential portraits made from puzzle pieces appear in the Green Room. Each one uses over 6,000 individual pieces—George Washington and Donald Trump, side by side.

The puzzle format encourages families to linger and piece things together, literally and figuratively. It’s a fun way to see how small parts become a whole.

This year, the Green Room swaps Lego blocks for puzzle pieces, mixing things up from previous years. It keeps the spirit of family creativity alive, just with a new twist.

State Dining Room: Gingerbread House and South Portico

Step into the State Dining Room and you’ll spot the 2025 Gingerbread House—a seriously impressive edible masterpiece. This thing weighs in at over 120 pounds of gingerbread, which, honestly, is a lot of cookies.

Pastry chefs built a tiny, intricate version of the mansion’s South Portico. The details? Pretty wild, right down to the little columns and windows.

Peek through those windows and you’ll catch a glimpse of the Yellow Oval Room. That’s tucked away upstairs in the private living quarters, usually off-limits.

Through the gingerbread model, you can see how they’ve decorated the Yellow Oval Room this season. It’s a clever way to show off a hidden part of the house.

Every year, the White House pastry team goes all out, turning flour and sugar into a holiday tradition that guests can’t wait to check out. It’s architecture, it’s dessert, and it’s a little bit magical.