Melania Trump reveals White House Christmas decorations - in pictures
First Lady unveils patriotic spectacle with an ‘American Treasures’ theme







First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled the White House’s Christmas decorations - to mixed reviews.
This year’s festive theme, American Treasures, pays tribute to the nation’s heritage and feature more than 14,000 red ornaments hanging from 29 trees, some of them blood red. There are also gingerbread versions of monuments including the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol building and, of course, the White House.
“This is a joyous time of year when we decorate the White House for the Christmas Season,” the first lady said in a statement.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Our theme honours the heart and spirit of the American people. Thank you to the many volunteers and staff who worked hard to decorate the halls of the People’s House in Christmas cheer. On behalf of my family, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
The White House will hold 100 “open house days”, during which more than 30,000 visitors will tour the decorative rooms and hallways.
But not everyone is taken with the display. The “towering blood-red cones” are a “macabre take on ‘trees’ that taints what might have been a bounty of winter fruit with the flavor of death”, says Slate.
Doubts were also cast on last year’s White House Christmas decorations, which followed the theme of Time-Honoured Traditions, adds the AOL news site. But Twitter users are giving the latest offering even shorter shrift, comparing it to everything from ground meat to scenes from The Handmaid’s Tale.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Click on the gallery above to see what you think.
-
Why do Dana White and Donald Trump keep pushing for a White House UFC match?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The president and the sports mogul each have their own reasons for wanting a White House spectacle
-
Trump: Redesigning the White House
Feature Donald Trump unveiled a $200 million plan to build a White House ballroom
-
Congress should 'step in' to block Trump's White House ballroom makeover
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump officials who hold more than one job
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Wearing multiple hats has become the norm inside a White House known for a revolving door of functionaries and officials
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Melania Trump's intervention on Ukraine
In The Spotlight The first lady has been linked to the president's U-turn on sending arms to Kyiv
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
A running list of all the celebrities Trump has pardoned
IN DEPTH Reality stars, rappers and disgraced politicians have received some of the high-profile pardons doled out by the president