Melania Trump has decorated the White House for the holidays, and her theme is “Home Is Where the Heart Is.”

 

The first lady's decor also nods to next year's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and founding of the United States of America.

Associated Press White House reporter Darlene Superville says one of the main attractions of the decorations is always the White House gingerbread house.

“That's a tradition that dates to the Nixon administration, and each year the pastry chef and the first lady highlight something special about the about the White House. And this year's feature is a sneak peek into the yellow oval room. That is a sitting room in the private living quarters for the president and first lady that's on the second floor of the White House,” Superville said.

 

In a change this year after the East Wing was torn down, the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room also honors Gold Star families that lost a member during active-duty military service.

“This year it's doing double duty as what is known as the Gold Star tree. Now that tree traditionally was in the East Wing, and it was the first tree that visitors would see when they entered from that side of the building. But the East Wing was demolished in October by President Donald Trump because he wants to build a ballroom,” Superville said.

 The East Room is decorated with patriotic colors and eagles and other national symbols to highlight the coming America250 celebration.