By Caily Shriver

This year, the Bidens’ cardboard Christmas has been officially “Trumped” after the current administration brought our nation back to the beloved traditional Christmas. 

Jill Biden’s four years of White House Christmas decorating was more than underwhelming with each one marked by tacky decorations that looked like they were made from Amazon boxes. It seems the former First Lady had chosen to play it safe her first and second Christmas by hardly decorating anything. I guess Christmas wasn’t a part of “Build Back Better.” Or perhaps they were saving money for more beach vacations. Many critics called her decorations sad and “colorless,” especially when compared to the grand White House Christmases of the past. 

Even her new Christmas strobe lights, which projected large white snowflakes onto the ceiling, failed to win many hearts.

The Bidens’ last two years in office were, by far, more colorful, but infinitely tackier. But 2023 had to stand out as the worst of all the Biden Christmases. So if you were disappointed by the past two years, Jill Biden’s Christmas of “magic, wonder, and joy” will have your eyes burning. The East Colonnade was decked from top to bottom with colorful cutout candy canes, reindeer hung from the ceiling in the Entrance Hall, the decorations in the China Room looked like they came from Barbie world, the Library was decorated with a cardboard bed, and many more rooms were filled with even less class, including a horrifying mouse clock and small animal statues. How Dr. Biden got away with these decorations unscathed by the media surely makes us all “wonder.”

In 2023, the former First Lady also shared with the nation a Christmas video of tap dancers doing their own new and jazzy take on The Nutcracker as they pranced through the White House. If their tapping didn’t make you cringe, I’m sure the dance company’s political positions will. Dorance Dance’s “Take Action” webpage is filled with dozens of links to groups for racial justice, prison abolition, defunding the police, and more. But could we expect any less from the Biden administration?

This year, though, was a breath of fresh air for Americans who were ready to turn back to the traditional White House Christmas. Although much of the East Wing is under construction, the First Lady Melania Trump and designer Hervé Pierre certainly outdid themselves for the rest of the White House decorations. Her theme “Home is Where the Heart Is” features “over 50 Christmas trees” with classically beautiful white lights, red and gold seasonal blooms, and red velvet presents at their base. The decorations also include 75 of the First Lady’s signature wreaths with their “classic red bows” which grace the White House windows. The East Room was filled with large and patriotic Christmas trees and garland to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The official White House tree, located in the Blue Room, was dedicated to Gold Star military families and included ornaments for each state. The Red Room features a tree and garland of contrasting blue butterflies to commemorate “transformation and renewal” for foster children, along with ornaments inscribed with “Be Best” to celebrate the First Lady’s campaign, which started in 2021, to promote child well-being. The State Room was highlighted as “a stage for diplomacy and hospitality” with the annual gingerbread house and large trees showcasing the official White House Christmas Ornament.

Beyond her Christmas decorating expertise, the First Lady has also been seen spending the Christmas season volunteering with organizations like the Red Cross and Toys for Tots. In early December, the First Lady spoke in front of military spouses at Joint Base Andrews and assisted in assembling 700 care packages for military members alongside other cabinet spouses, including Second Lady Usha Vance. A few days later, she completed the First Lady’s annual visit to Children’s National Hospital, a tradition that started in 1945 by then First Lady Bess Truman. And on December 8th, the First Lady arrived at the Marine Corps Base Quantico with Santa Claus to assist the Toys for Tots charity drive. 

Although the Trumps may have redeemed the White House Christmas decor, we are all called to remember that our redemption isn’t found in our president or any other member of the government. Instead, our redemption is found in the ever-loving, constant, unchanging Lord. This Christmas season, focus on the beautiful reminder of God’s love found in Jesus Christ.