First Lady Welcomes Festive White House Christmas Tree
The White House officially kicked off the holiday season on Monday as First Lady Melania Trump received this year's official Christmas tree in a picturesque ceremony at the North Portico. The magnificent 18.5-foot white fir, sourced from Korson's Tree Farms in Michigan, made its grand entrance pulled by a traditional horse-drawn carriage.
Traditional Arrival with Clydesdale Horses
The festive delivery featured a pair of majestic Clydesdale horses named Logan and Ben, accompanied by three men dressed in formal top hats. The tree traveled from central Michigan, specifically from the town of Sidney, to take its place as the centerpiece of White House holiday decorations.
Dressed elegantly in a cream-colored overcoat and dark red gloves, the First Lady appeared completely at ease during the ceremony. "It's a beautiful tree," Mrs. Trump remarked while inspecting the massive evergreen and posing for photographs with the delivery team.
She personally greeted one of the carriage drivers and a woman standing with the horses, showing genuine interest in the festive presentation. The First Lady expressed her excitement about the upcoming decorations, telling reporters, "It will be beautiful! We are going to plan, and it's starting today."
Historic Honor for Michigan Farm
Korson's Tree Farms earned the distinguished honor of supplying this year's White House Christmas tree through victory in the National Christmas Tree Association's annual competition. This tradition dates back to 1966, when the association first began selecting the official White House tree through a national contest.
The winning tree, standing at an impressive 18.5 feet, will be prominently displayed in the Blue Room, where it will serve as the focal point of White House Christmas celebrations. This marks another occasion where Korson's Tree Farms has provided the official Christmas tree for the presidential residence.
President's Absence and Holiday Plans
Notably absent from the tree arrival ceremony was President Donald Trump, who was engaged in diplomatic discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The President's foreign policy team was simultaneously working toward achieving a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement ahead of a self-imposed Thanksgiving deadline.
The Trump family plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at the President's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The White House will continue its holiday traditions with the annual turkey pardon ceremony on Tuesday, an event sponsored by the meat industry.
This festive tree arrival coincides with other notable Christmas preparations across the country, including the installation of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City, marking the official start of the holiday season nationwide.
