What It Takes To Get The White House in The Holiday Spirit

The White House unveiled this year’s over-the-top decorations and theme

ByABC News
December 3, 2014, 2:37 PM

— -- The holidays have officially arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House today unveiled this year's over-the-top decorations and theme, which is "A Children’s Winter Wonderland."

As families across the nation decorate their own homes, and wrestle with those pesky Christmas lights, here's a look at what it takes to bring holiday cheer to the White House:

PHOTO: The White House unveiled this year's over-the-top decorations and theme, "A Children's Winter Wonderland."
The White House unveiled this year's over-the-top decorations and theme, "A Children's Winter Wonderland."

  • In all, 106 volunteers from 37 states came together to create this year's White House "Winter Wonderland."

  • There are 26 different Christmas trees, including 1 official tree in the Blue Room that stands 18 feet high and nearly 12 feet wide and is adorned with 2,000 unique ornaments.

  • It took more than 1 mile of black and white ribbon to create this year's animated replicas of First Dogs Sunny and Bo.

  • 80 pounds of gingerbread dough, 40 pounds of marzipan and 25 pounds of sugar were used to make 1 massive gingerbread White House.

  • 300 bunches of preserved hydrangea were carefully woven together to create the archway in the East Colonnade.

  • It took 30 volunteers roughly 350 hours to create the ornate decorations for the columns in the East Wing Hallway.

  • The first ever White House 3D printed ornament challenge received over 300 submissions, ranging from a holiday Abe Lincoln to happy snowmen.

  • All of this hard work will be enjoyed by the approximately 65,000 visitors who are expected to visit the White House this holiday season.

    • ABC News Live

    ABC News Live

    24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events