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 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 Grand Staircase 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. Decorations featured around around the foot of the Grand Staircase and into the Entrance Hall below included garlands of golden doves and lights. A vintage red truck with a stuffed teddy bear behind the wheel and several Christmas trees also decorated the Entrance Hall.

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 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 Grand Staircase 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. Decorations featured around around the foot of the Grand Staircase and into the Entrance Hall below included garlands of golden doves and lights. A vintage red truck with a stuffed teddy bear behind the wheel and several Christmas trees also decorated the Entrance Hall.

This photograph of the Entrance 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. Featured in the Entrance Hall was a vintage red truck with a stuffed teddy bear behind the wheel as well as several festive Christmas trees.

This is a photograph of White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush. They are photographed in the Entrance Hall of the White House, at the base of the Grand Staircase to the Second Floor residence, on December 19, 2002. This was likely taken at a holiday event at the White House. 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 1980 to 2004.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stand for formal portraits with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, at the foot of the Grand Staircase on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here, before attending a State Dinner held in Macron's honor. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive in the Entrance Hall of the White House for a State Dinner held for President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens, President Macron, and Brigette Macron, spouse of the president of France, descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive in the Entrance Hall of the White House for a State Dinner held for President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens, President Macron, and Brigette Macron, spouse of the president of France, descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive in the Entrance Hall of the White House for a State Dinner held for President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens, President Macron, and Brigette Macron, spouse of the president of France, descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stand for formal portraits with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, at the foot of the Grand Staircase on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here, before attending a State Dinner held in Macron's honor. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stand for formal portraits with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, at the foot of the Grand Staircase on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here, before attending a State Dinner held in Macron's honor. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph members of the military prepare for the arrival of President Joseph R. Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, ahead of a State Dinner held in Macron's honor on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stand for formal portraits with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, at the foot of the Grand Staircase on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here, before attending a State Dinner held in Macron's honor. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stand for formal portraits with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, at the foot of the Grand Staircase on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here, before attending a State Dinner held in Macron's honor. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, descend the Grand Staircase of the White House ahead a State Dinner held in Macron's honor on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall with the Macrons. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive in the Entrance Hall of the White House followed by President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, for a State Dinner on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stand for formal portraits with President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, at the foot of the Grand Staircase on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here, before attending a State Dinner held in Macron's honor. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive in the Entrance Hall of the White House followed by President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, for a State Dinner on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, as seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

In this photograph members of the military prepare for the arrival of President Joseph R. Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, and Brigitte Macron, spouse to the president of France, ahead of a State Dinner held in Macron's honor on December 1, 2022. Following a meeting on the Second Floor of the White House, the Bidens and Macrons descended the Grand Staircase to the State Floor and Entrance Hall, seen here. The State Dinner was part of Macron's official State Visit with President Biden, and was preceded earlier in the day by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn and a joint press conference with Biden and Macron in the East Room. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of decorations lining the Grand Staircase and Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House decor. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale. Also in the Cross Hall was the menorah from the White House Collection. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.