White House celebrates 'peace and light' with holiday décor

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden are sharing a message of "peace and light" with the country as they unveil this year's holiday theme and décor at the White House and mark their final season in the executive mansion. 

Jill Biden revealed this year's White House holiday theme, a "Season of Peace and Light," on Monday. The idea behind the theme, according to the White House, is to encourage the more than 100,000 visitors who pass through the doors at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. during Christmastime to "embrace the peace and light of the holiday season."

More than 300 volunteers worked for a week to deck the halls and more of the White House. This year's look includes 83 Christmas trees, more than 9,800 feet of ribbon and in excess of 28,000 ornaments, as well as more than 165,000 holiday lights.

Some of the highlights of the White House's holiday makeover include: a collection of bells hanging in the East Colonnade that symbolize the "peaceful sounds of the holiday season," a carb-heavy display in the China Room with a scene depicting a baker's bench and artisanal breads to remind "guests of the peaceful, patient, and loving process of baking bread," a tree dedicated to Gold Star families with the names of fallen service members written on ornaments, a reflective canopy in the East Room that "wraps the ceiling and windows, surrounding guests in a peaceful snowfall" and a "cascade of peace doves flying above" the Cross Hall. 

This year's gingerbread White House features a glowing starburst and a "cheerful scene of ice skaters on the South Lawn." The massive edible confection was created using 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 45 pounds of chocolate and 50 pounds of royal icing. 

"As we celebrate our final holiday season here in the White House, we are guided by the values we hold sacred: faith, family, service to our country, kindness towards our neighbors, and the power of community and connection," the Bidens said in a statement included in a welcome letter to visitors as part of the White House holiday guidebook.

“It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your president and first lady," the couple said. 

"Our hope is for the nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”