Security Check
There is something magical about entering our nation's top residence on a cold winter night. Not the long lines and the padding by the Secret Service officer - definitely not that magical!

Then you snake through the different security stops, including a fan blowing air on you so that the working dog (shout-out to the K9 officers!) can sniff you for residues of explosives or whatever else they are trained to detect. And voila - the entrance area of the White House! It's like you are invited to enter your own personal little jewel box, with precious little baubles and glittery things to behold.

This year, we were greeted by a large red bow, taped around a giant, invisible present. People were going gaga over this, causing quite a traffic jam before the main entrance. So all the families were getting their selfies on! 

Having been to the White House during Christmas a few times, I just wanted to shout: "Move one, people! The real deal is inside! Glitter, opulence, crystal, lights - all that awaits you if you just move the h*** on!" But then I realized my first reaction many years ago, the sheer awe of having the privilege to enter the private residence of the nation's leader, and arguably one of the most powerful people in the world. And that was in a year where I personally didn't think too highly of the then sitting President, but you gotta respect the office. 

Enter the magic kingdom of Christmas!

And just like every year, once you enter the large white doors, I was prepared to be wowed - and just like every year, the White House did not disappoint. As it is customary, every year, visitors receive a little booklet with charming, holiday-themed drawings of the White House. The brochure includes the usual greeting by the First Lady (shout-out to the stylish and amazing Michelle Obama - we will miss you!) as well as a description of each of the rooms in the East Wing. Each section explains a little bit about the decorations and the role of each room. And for those even more knowledge-thirsty (including my mother-in-law), the Secret Service officers present throughout the entire building are available to answer any of your questions. Seriously, big shout-out to those folks - they are extremely knowledgeable about the history, and no detail is too mundane too be asked about.
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Read Stars everywhere!
This year's entrance hall (officially called East Visitor Entrance and Landing) was tastefully decorated with German paper stars called Froebel Star, or "Fröbelstern" for those among you who want to practice yet another really complicated German word - I know you are out there!!!. 

All red in in color, these stars were arranged on certain parts of the wall, in different sizes, and really created some nice texture. Last year, the theme was all about Christmas ball ornaments in different sizes and colors probably the most amazing decorations I have seen in the White House yet.

I felt like I was in a big present, and the fun was just starting. On our way towards the hallway, called the East Colonnade, next to Rose Garden, Bo and Sonny, the United States first dogs, are honored with huge statues, complete with a dog-themed Christmas tree full of doggie treats and tennis balls - just adorable! Maybe this year I will finally remember which one is Sunny and which one is Bo. 

Patriotic Christmas
You might think that the rest of this tour is just some more Christmas decorations, stars, ornaments, tress, wreaths, yaddiyadda. Well, there is more Christmas deco for sure, but let me tell you that for me, the real magic starts with the East Colonnade - every single year. This year, the mood was quite patriotic. The ceiling of the East Colonnade was covered with paper flares in red, white, and blue, in different lengths, back-lit by small Christmas lights. The flares moved ever so slightly, almost feeling like you were in a particularly patriotic Jaques Cousteau underwater documentary. 

Snowflakes Galore
The walk down the East Colonnade is always my favorite part of the experience. Last year's ceiling deco consisted of hundreds and hundreds of small paper snowflakes interspersed with largeer paper snowflakes, each large one dedicated to one of the states. Each state-specific star featured elements typical for that state. Maryland's, of course, included the obligatory crab. Every visitor was mesmerized by those snowflakes, looking for the snowflakes of states that were meaningful to them in a way. Hands down, best decoration EVER!

So, this year's patriotic theme had a tough standard to live up to. Did they outdo themselves again? Well, I have to be honest - last year's deco was just so amazing that probably nothing else could have come close to it. The snowflakes alone were just amazing - it was magical to walk below these hundreds and hundreds of snowflakes, with the bluish light reflections. Plus, the glow of the many differently colored Christmas balls all over the entrance hall and throughout the White house added to the magic of being in our nation's home during this special time of the year.

Even though last year's deco will always have a special spot in my heart, I still loved the different themes throughout the 2016 White House decorations. So, let's get back from memory lane to this year's more intimately themed decor. 

On Our Way to the Main Floor
Before going upstairs where the East Room, the State Dining Room, and the Green, Blue, and Red Rooms await, you'll go through a large hallway, with three beautiful rooms off to the side on your left and right. They are the White House library, the Vermeil room, and the China room. You can't enter them, but you can take a peek inside.  Plus the ceilings of the hallway are always beautifully decorated, continuing the theme of the magic Christmas wonderland. 

This year, the White House library was dedicated to the First Lady's initiative on education for young people, and specifically her global initiative on girls' education. You'll find more info on these two programs on their respective websites: Reach Higher and Let Girls Learn. 

We Made it to the Main Floor!
The East Room, the pendant of the State Dining Room on the other side of the East Wing, is a magnificent room by itself. At Christmas, it transforms into an enchanting space that always displays the White House creche. 

Large Christmas trees and beautifully decorated mantels and mirrors throughout this large room add to the charm of this room. 

ART ALERT
The East Room is home to the famous full-length portrait of George Washington, by the American painter Gilbert Stuart. 

Three Differently Colored Rooms

The Green Room
This year's decorations in the Green Room celebrated the abundance of greenery. This is a homage to the First Lady's efforts to grow fruits and vegetables on the grounds of the White House. It is in line with her overall focus  on nutrition and health. 

Many of the ornaments in here (as well as in some of the other rooms here on the 2nd floor) were fruit ornaments and particularly tastefully displayed throughout. 

ART ALERT
Lots of great paintings are displayed around the White House, but my most favorite one, and one I look forward to seeing every year, is the painting by one of America's most celebrated artists of the 20th century, Jacob Lawrence. Lawrence's painting "The Builders" hangs in the Green Room. 

Blue Room Christmas Tree
This is always a favorite of mine! The Blue Room features the 17 foot 6 inch Christmas tree, always a farm-grown fir tree. Constitutional law scholars will get a kick out this one, I am sure: this year's theme was dedicated to the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

This room continued the patriotic theme started in the East Colonnade, with a particular focus on celebrating our troops. The mantelpiece in this room featured mirror cutouts of U.S. service women and men - a subtle reminder that much of the freedom that we enjoy in these United States has been paid for by the blood and sweat of those who have dedicated their lives to serving this country.

A pacifist by nature who would prefer to see all war banished from our planet, I have always struggled with this culture's celebration of the armed forces. However, I cannot but admire our servicewomen's and men's dedication and am glad to see it honored so prominently in the White House during Christmas.

Red Room
The Red Room, the last in this triad of differently colored rooms, has always some of the most vibrant decorations. At least, I think so, probably because red is one of my favorite colors, especially for Christmas decorations. 

The Red Room continues the theme of fruits and gardens. In contrast to the green and yellow focus in the Green Room, with its display of lime and lemon ornaments, we'll see red and orange colored fruits here: oranges, pomegranates, cranberries. For red lovers, an absolute delight!

I was particularly charmed by the real oranges on display, which were decorated with cloves, creating different patterns and shapes. When I was little, my mother and I used to spend endless Advent weekends doing this, and it is something that I distinctly connect with Christmas while growing up. 

East Dining Room
Almost at the end of the tour, the East Dining Room never fails to disappoint. As the location of numerous State Dinners, with foreign heads of states, dignitaries, and other celebrities, this room has a special place in the nation's imagination. And at Christmas time, this is the highlight of each tour. This is mostly because the East Dining Room always displays the world-famous Gingerbread White ​ House, a creation by the White House pastry chefs. The White House has had its own Gingerbread House version since 1969. Children and adults delight in this confectioner's dream every year. 

As the State Dining Room houses the Gingerbread White House, its deco theme is usually playful, centering on what might appeal to children, This year, the mantel piece and the adjacent Christmas trees were decorated with gingerbread people and gingerbread houses made of Lego. 

ART ALERT
The State Dining Room is home to one of the most famous paintings of Abraham Lincoln. George P.A. Healy captured the 16th President in a contemplative pose, and this portrait has been a favorite among White House visitors since.

Grand Foyer and Cross Hall
The tour ends with great bravado in the iconic Grand Foyer and Cross Hall, featuring the Presidential Seal. If you are lucky, you might be charmed by live music once you get here. The White House invites choirs and musical performers from all over the nation to perform at the White House, delighting visitors and spreading Christmas cheer!

Until Next Year
It is always such a privilege and delight to see the White House at Christmas time. As we were leaving this December, I contemplated on what our nation will look like over the next four years, with the White House in the hands of our newly elected President. 

Our 44th President and his family have brought hope, dignity, and grace to our nation's home, and I hope that our 45th President will continue that tradition.