12 photos show how first lady Melania Trump decorated for her final Christmas in the White House
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The White House on Monday showed off how first lady Melania Trump decorated for her final Christmas there.
Last month, Trump was overheard in leaked audio complaining about having to decorate the White House for the holiday season in 2018.
"I'm working my a-- off with the Christmas stuff that, you know, who gives a f--- about Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?" the first lady told a friend in the audio clip.
This year's theme, "America the Beautiful," honors the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, wildlife in the US, and American innovation in transportation, the White House said.
First lady Melania Trump decorated the White House for the final time the Trumps will celebrate Christmas there.
The White House unveiled photos of this year's Christmas decorations on Monday, less than a month after President Donald Trump lost to President-elect Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
"I am excited to announce this year's White House holiday theme, 'America the Beautiful,'" the first lady said in a statement. "Over the past four years I have had the honor to travel to some of our nation's most beautiful landmarks and meet some of the most compassionate and patriotic American citizens."
Last month, CNN published audio of the first lady complaining to a friend in 2018 about having to decorate the White House for the holiday season amid criticism that she hadn't taken on more meaningful work as the first lady.
"I'm working my a-- off with the Christmas stuff that, you know, who gives a f--- about Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?" Trump said.
Her comments were at odds with that of her husband and other prominent Republicans who have alleged that there's a "war on Christmas" as phrases like "Happy Holidays" have become mainstream to respect and include various religious beliefs.
The White House also released a video tour of the 2020 decorations, as it has in previous years.
See the 2020 Christmas decorations in the photos below.
This year's theme, "America the Beautiful," is "a tribute to the majesty of our great Nation," the White House said.
"From coast to coast, the bond that all Americans share is an appreciation for our traditions, values, and history, which were the inspiration behind the decorations this year," the White House said.
The White House Express train is in the East Room, celebrating American innovation in transportation.
The White House Library is decorated with the winning art from the first lady's 19th Amendment art competition for children.
The White House Library is decorated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The decorations shine "a spotlight on women who were pioneers for gender equality," the White House said.
Handmade ornaments in the Red Room honor "America's everyday heroes," including "first responders and frontline workers" who "serve their communities with a spirit of generosity," the White House said.
The official White House Christmas tree - a more than 18-foot Fraser fir - is found in the Blue Room.
The State Dining Room is decked out in garland and multiple trees with gold ornaments.
The White House said the gingerbread house is "constructed from 275 pounds of gingerbread dough, 110 pounds of pastillage dough, 30 pounds of gum paste, 25 pounds of chocolate, and 25 pounds of royal icing."
The Green Room is decorated to celebrate wildlife in the US. "Vignettes in the windows showcase the diversity of creatures that flutter and find refuge among our native landscape," the White House said.
The East Room is decorated with planes, trains, and automobiles to show that "America has been on the move," the White House said. The decorations celebrate American innovations from the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1863 to the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.
The trees in the Diplomatic Reception Room are decorated with red and gold ornaments.
This year's decorations are more subdued and traditional - a stark contrast to previous years when the first lady's bold choices made headlines.
See the Trump White House Christmas decorations from 2019, 2018, and 2017 »
And see how first families have decorated the White House throughout history »
Read the original article on Insider