This is a photograph of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and pastry chef Franette McCulloch with the 1993 official White House Gingerbread House that was dubbed the "House of Socks". It was created by Chef Mesnier in honor of President Bill Clinton and Mrs. Clinton's cat, Socks. The gingerbread house is a to-scale replica of White House complete with 20 marzipan versions of Socks playing around the house. The architectural details were created with carefully pipped icing and illuminated with working miniature floodlights. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1979 to 2004.

This close-up photograph of a Christmas tree in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the State Dining Room paid tribute to the room's role as a stage for diplomacy and hospitality. On the tree seen here is the Official 2025 White House Christmas Ornament, which honored 150 years of State Dinners at the White House.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The Cross Hall was decorated with seasonal blooms in red and gold on the trees and garlands lining the length of the hall

This photograph of the Red Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The Red Room decorations celebrated the younger generations of Americans, using the metamorphosis of butterflies -- on display in the room -- as an example of their promising future.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The Cross Hall was decorated with seasonal blooms in red and gold on the trees and garlands lining the length of the hall. The Blue Room Christmas Tree is visible through the doorway.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The East Room was decorated in celebration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence, with red, white, and blue Christmas trees adorning the room.

This close-up photograph of a Christmas tree in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the State Dining Room paid tribute to the room's role as a stage for diplomacy and hospitality. On the tree seen here is the Official 2025 White House Christmas Ornament, which honored 150 years of State Dinners at the White House.

This close-up photograph of a Christmas tree in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the State Dining Room paid tribute to the room's role as a stage for diplomacy and hospitality. On the tree seen here is the Official 2025 White House Christmas Ornament, which honored 150 years of State Dinners at the White House.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The East Room was decorated in celebration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence, with red, white, and blue Christmas trees adorning the room.

This close-up photograph of a Christmas tree in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the State Dining Room paid tribute to the room's role as a stage for diplomacy and hospitality. On the tree seen here is the Official 2025 White House Christmas Ornament, which honored 150 years of State Dinners at the White House.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the State Dining Room honored the room's role as a stage for diplomacy and hospitality.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the State Dining Room honored the room's role as a stage for diplomacy and hospitality.

This photograph of the 2025 White House Gingerbread House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The 2025 gingerbread house, on display in the State Dining Room, featured a small glimpse into the Yellow Oval Room. The room, on the Second Floor of the White House, is a part of the White House rarely seen by the public.

This photograph of the Green Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The decorations in the Green Room honored crafts and other holiday activities that make the season and home a welcoming place.

This composite is a compilation of photographs from the Chef Roland Mesnier Collection. White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1979 to 2004. This composite may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the collection. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. The State Dining Room was decorated in honor of Dr. Biden’s work with the Joining Forces initiative, represented by paper garlands constructed by families of military service members serving on the two Navy vessels sponsored by Dr. Biden: the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Also emphasizing the contributions of citizens, the trees in the State Dining Room feature self-portraits drawn by school children from across the country. The garlands and self-portraits are both captured here.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. The State Dining Room was decorated in honor of Dr. Biden’s work with the Joining Forces initiative, represented by paper garlands constructed by families of military service members serving on the two Navy vessels sponsored by Dr. Biden: the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Also emphasizing the contributions of citizens, the trees in the State Dining Room feature self-portraits drawn by school children from across the country. The garlands and self-portraits are captured on both sides of G. P. A. Healy's portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.

In this photograph, guests dance and mingle in the Entrance Hall following a dinner held in honor of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor on April 4, 1970. President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon hosted the formal dinner in the State Dining Room, that included after-dinner entertainment in the East Room by singer and pianist Bobby Short and singing troupe the Young Saints. In this photograph, Julie Nixon Eisenhower can be seen near the North Door, speaking with her parents' dinner guests.

This photograph of the Green Room was taken in February 1975 by Larry D. Kinney during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.

This photograph is of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter conversing with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom in the State Dining Room during a State Dinner held in Thatcher's honor. Karl Shumacher took this picture on December 17, 1979. President Carter wore a black tuxedo, a pleated dress shirt, and a black bow tie. Notched lapels, though considered the least formal lapel style, were particularly trendy at the time, and black remained the standard color for formal wear. While Carter was known for his casual Southern style, he recognized the significance of dressing formally for diplomatic occasions. A strong supporter of State Dinners, Carter hosted 40 during his presidency, including the largest in White House history at the time with over 1,340 guests.

This photograph by Chuck Kennedy was taken at a State Dinner held in honor of President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China on January 19, 2011. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the Chinese president for an official State Visit, including an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House grounds earlier in the day. The State Dinner took place in the State Dining Room. Joining the Obamas and Hu Jintao at the central table beside the State Dining Room's fireplace were former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State (and former first lady) Hillary Rodham Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter, and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

In this photograph by Paul Morse, tables are set for a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. The dinner took place in the State Dining Room of the White House on November 10, 2005 during the George W. Bush administration. First Lady Laura Bush selected pieces of the Ronald Reagan State China Service for each table setting and decorated the tables with centerpieces of vermeil vases adorned with roses. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 that established both independent government agencies.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic hold a joint press conference on December 1, 2022 in the East Room of the White House. The press conference was preceded by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn where President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed Macron and Brigette Macron, spouse of the French president, for an official State Visit. The State Visit culminated in a State Dinner later that evening. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph is by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

This photograph of the entranceway to the Blue Room from the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Christmas trees featuring plaid ornaments and presents were placed on either side of the entrance to the Blue Room, echoing the Blue Room Christmas Tree visible through the doorway. Also captured in this photograph are the hand-cut paper doves that were attached to strings and hung from the Cross Hall’s ceiling.