A trio of Alaskans joined an army of 150 volunteer decorators from across the nation to bring to life First Lady Melania Trump’s 2025 Christmas theme for the White House – “Home is Where the Heart Is.”

In contrast to last year’s motif by Dr. Jill Biden, which stirred controversy for what many described as a nightmarish carnival scene with garish clowns and woke tap dancers, this year’s decorations highlight the essence of Christmas, the joys of motherhood, patriotic history, traditional values and the warmth of home.

Three Alaskans – Gina Senko (of Anchorage) and Ned and Karen Tri (of Big Lake) – were chosen for the three-day decorating marathon that made the First Lady’s vison a reality.

The Alaskans applied for the little-known opportunity in August. Senko said a friend tipped her off with an online link.

“I applied and pretty much forgot about it,” she said.

In October she learned that out of 12,000 applicants she was one of 150 selected to be part of the 2025 White House Christmas festooning brigade.

“What an unusual opportunity and honor that was,” Senko recalled.

She’s not sure how volunteers were picked, but she wrote an essay about why she wanted to take part. It focused on the meaning of Christmas.

“The birth of our Savior is something I always celebrate big and want to extend my abilities to the White House and the country,” Senko relayed.

However volunteers were selected, Senko soon discovered that they were a patriotic and faith-filled bunch who hailed from all walks of life – professional florists, accountants, military, firemen, professional ballroom dancers and more.

“They were very pro-Trump, conservative and Christian,” Senko noted. “It was delightful to engage with them.”

The trip kicked off in late November, when the Alaskans paid for their own journey to D.C. and were picked up each morning at their hotel for a rare escort to the White House grounds for official Christmas business.

Outside of breakfast and lunch, everything else was at their own expense.

For three days volunteers worked 10-hour shifts in assigned areas – Red, Yellow, Green and Blue rooms, State Dining Room, East Room, Oval Office and the Grand Foyer.

Senko helped decorate 29 live trees in the Grand Foyer, stringing lights and hanging ornaments.

“The first day I had my head stuck in pine trees,” she said.

Ned and Karen Tri beautified the Blue Room, which included hanging glowing ornaments that depicted each state’s name, bird and flower.

“I did find Alaska,” Senko said. “The Alaskans made sure it was hanging low enough so we could see it.”

She was also impressed by the quality of the decorations, most of which were handmade or assembled.

One of the highlights was being asked to go down to the basement of the White House to bring up boxes of decorations.

“One of the Secret Service members pointed out to us, as we were on our way down there, a particular brick arch that we passed under,” she recalled. “It still showed the charred remains from the 1814 fire, when the British set the White House on fire. It hadn’t been painted over in 200 years.”

Throughout the decoration, respect for the living history of the White House was paramount as volunteers worked under the watch of Secret Service agents and alongside the official White House curator.

“She was watching over all of the very old pieces, and she gave us instructions to remember where we were working and to not touch,” Senko recalled. “Anytime we had to touch the older parts of the White House, we wore gloves.”

At one point, Senko helped adorn candelabras with decorations that President Teddy Rosevelt brought into the White House back in 1902.

“I have been very blessed and honored to have done this,” she said.

Once the finishing touches were completed, the First Lady paid a visit.

“Melania came out on Monday during the volunteer reception and gave a thankyou speech to all the volunteers,” Senko noted.

During the reception, the Marine Band played Christmas music as Senko wandered through the approved areas of the White House.

“It was very emotional,” she said. “I couldn’t believe this was me experiencing this. It was such an opportunity. Being able to move around freely, seemed surreal.”

According to the White House website, Melania Trump’s inspiration was partly drawn from the joys, challenges, and frequent motion derived from motherhood and business.”

“The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” America’s First Lady reflected. “This Christmas, let’s celebrate the love we hold within ourselves, and share it with the world around us. After all, wherever we are, we can create a home filled with grace, radiance, and endless possibilities.”

WHITE HOUSE DESCRIPTION OF DECORATIONS

Fostering the Future Red Room

First Lady Melania Trump appointed renowned designer, Hervé Pierre, to oversee the implementation of her creative vision. Blue butterflies illuminate the “Fostering the Future Red Room,” a transformational experience dedicated to the foster-care community, a cause the First Lady has championed since 2021. The striking color combination coupled with the butterflies symbolic meaning of transformation and renewal capture the essence of Christmas.

Mr. Pierre also created a limited-edition tour booklet—an artful keepsake that captures the magic of this year’s White House’s holiday theme for guests to treasure.

Time-Honored Tradition

Honoring tradition, 75 of Mrs. Trump’s signature wreaths with classic red bows adorn the White House windows, and more than 50 Christmas trees, 700 feet of garland, 25,000 feet of ribbon, and 10,000 butterflies fill the halls with holiday warmth.

Gold Star Families

In the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree, an 18-foot concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan, commemorates Gold Star Families with gold stars and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of every U.S. state and territory—a tribute to the resilience, bravery, and sacrifice of our military personnel and their families.

250th Anniversary

Patriotic exhibits featuring America’s signature red, white, and blue accentuate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Nation in the East Room, while two presidential portraits created from over 6,000 puzzle pieces are presented in the Green Room, offering families the chance to be challenged, have fun, and use their imagination together.

120 Pounds of Gingerbread

The 2025 Gingerbread House is prominently displayed in the State Dining Room, highlighting the South Portico and offering a glimpse of the Yellow Oval Room—an artistic culinary triumph, boasting more than 120 pounds of gingerbread. The Grand Foyer features a section of the historic White House Crèche, which is currently undergoing meticulous restoration by the White House Curators. As Americans explore the historic rooms of the White House this holiday season, the 2025 Christmas decorations serve as a reminder that the strength of our Nation is found in its people—in our shared values, valued traditions, and the steadfast belief that home is where the heart is.

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