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

Advertisement

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.
Advertisement

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.
Advertisement

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.
Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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.