St. Louis on display in patriotic Christmas decorations at the White House
WASHINGTON (AP/KMOX) - The Trump family showed off its 2019 Christmas decorations to media and St. Louis was prominently displayed among some of the nation’s most famous landmarks.
The Gateway Arch can be seen just to the right of the White House made from 200 pounds of gingerbread. It was included with Mount Rushmore, the Alamo, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge and Space Needle.
Melania Trump continued her tradition of hanging wreaths on the mansion’s exterior windows, 106 in all.
Late Sunday, the First Lady teased her Twitter followers with a minute-long video sneak peek of some of the decorations as she walked through the State Floor of the White House to put finishing touches on the displays.
Decorations in the public areas of the White House include 58 Christmas trees, more than 2,500 strands of light, more than 800 feet (244 meters) of garland and more than 15,000 bows.
At the Naval Observatory, more than 40 volunteers decorated Vice President Mike Pence’s residence using 2,100 feet (640 meters) of garland and white lights, more than 160 red velvet bows and seven trees from a farm in Belvidere, New Jersey, to create a Victorian-themed Christmas.
“It is with great joy that our family welcomes you to the White House this holiday season as we celebrate the Spirit of America,” President Donald Trump, the first lady and their son, Barron, say in the signed introduction to a souvenir book visitors will receive as a holiday keepsake. “We hope you enjoy our tribute to the traditions, customs and history that make our nation great.”
The White House previewed the decorations for journalists on Monday before Trump and the first lady departed for London. Journalists were also admitted to the grounds of the Naval Observatory, the official residence for Pence and his wife, Karen, to see the Christmas decorations there.
