12 behind-the-scenes photos show the White House being decorated for Christmas

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12 behind-the-scenes photos show the White House being decorated for Christmas

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white house Christmas 2018

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

A worker hangs holiday wreaths on the White House on the North Lawn in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, after President Donald Trump departed for Florida.

  • The White House is being decorated for Christmas.
  • After months of planning, thousands of volunteers and staff transform the residence in a matter of days.
  • These photos show the transformation behind-the-scenes.

First lady Melania Trump, staff, and volunteers have been planning what the White House will look like for Christmas since the summer.

The week of Thanksgiving, the decorating has finally begun to transform the "People's House" for the holiday season.

President Donald Trump joined his wife to receive the White House Christmas tree on Monday:

See what the preparations look like in these behind-the-scenes photos.

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The official White House Christmas tree is still delivered in a horse-drawn carriage with drivers in top hats and tuxes.

The official White House Christmas tree is still delivered in a horse-drawn carriage with drivers in top hats and tuxes.

This year's tree comes from the Smith family of the Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland, North Carolina.

This year's tree comes from the Smith family of the Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland, North Carolina.
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Larry Smith also grew a tree for the vice president's residence in 2001.

Larry Smith also grew a tree for the vice president's residence in 2001.

Source: White House

The Trumps inspected the tree when it arrived.

The Trumps inspected the tree when it arrived.
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North Carolina has produced more White House Christmas trees than any other state. This is the 14th.

North Carolina has produced more White House Christmas trees than any other state. This is the 14th.

Sources: White House, White House Historical Society

The tree has to be 18 to 19 feet tall in order to fit in the Blue Room.

The tree has to be 18 to 19 feet tall in order to fit in the Blue Room.

Sources: White House, White House Historical Society

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It took a dozen National Park Service staff to haul the massive tree inside.

It took a dozen National Park Service staff to haul the massive tree inside.

This year's Fraser Fir is 19 1/2 feet tall.

This year's Fraser Fir is 19 1/2 feet tall.

Source: White House

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Every year, they have to remove the chandelier from the Blue Room so the tree can fit.

Every year, they have to remove the chandelier from the Blue Room so the tree can fit.

President William H. Taft's children put the first Christmas tree in the Blue Room in 1912.

President William H. Taft's children put the first Christmas tree in the Blue Room in 1912.

Source: White House Historical Society

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The tree is just the first, big step in holiday decorating. Thousands of volunteers will transform the White House over the coming days for visitors, staff, and the first family to enjoy.

The tree is just the first, big step in holiday decorating. Thousands of volunteers will transform the White House over the coming days for visitors, staff, and the first family to enjoy.
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