A Very White House Christmas

The First Family achieved something truly magical with this year’s theme: “Gifts from the Heart.”

White House Christmas 2021. Throughout the East Colonnade, iridescent doves and shooting stars illuminate the hallway, representing the peace and light brought to us all by the service of frontline workers and first responders during the pandemic. December 23, 2021. (photo: White House- GPA Photo Archive)

Gifts of the Heart: Christmas 2021

Though 2021 has been far from the return to normal we’d all hoped, it hasn’t been a complete morass of plague and incivility.

We’re all tired of COVID-19, of variants and restrictions, mandates and closures; non more so than those stout-hearted souls elected by We the People to deal with all this mess.

The holiday season, coming once a year as it does on the heels of the New Year, is as good a time as any to reflect on the many blessings we still have.

In decorating the White House for Christmas this year, the First Family hoped to call to mind precious, intangible gifts neither pandemic, nor economic hardship, nor anxiety for the future can take away.

The gifts of faith and community, family, the performing arts, the visual arts, peace and unity, nature, friendship, learning and most of all, gratitude, are all reflected in this year’s decorations.

Grand Foyer and Cross Hall: The Gift of Faith and Community