Jill Biden unveils White House Christmas decorations

'We the People' is theme behind winter holiday decor inside and outside White House

Christmas trees line the Cross Hall during the unveiling of holiday decor at the White House. EPA

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host many holiday receptions and events in the lead-up to Christmas. Reuters

The official White House Christmas tree is decorated to represent unity and hope with handmade renderings of the official birds from all 57 US territories, states and the District of Columbia. AP

Ornaments depicting self-portraits made by pupils of the recipients of the 2021 Teacher of the Year award decorate a Christmas tree in the State Dining Room. EPA

Christmas trees and winter scenes decorate the Cross Hall at the White House. EPA

Christmas trees line the Lower Cross Hall at the White House. EPA

The Red Room of the White House is always a showstopper. AP

Trees intended to portray a first woodland snowfall line the East Colonnade of the White House. Reuters

This year's theme is 'We the People'. Reuters

Gold Star trees honour fallen military servicemembers, including Air Force Sgt Marshal Roberts. Reuters

The Biden family dog Commander pops up in many different places around the White House. EPA

A gingerbread White House creation, including 20 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 30 sheets of gingerbread dough, 100 pounds of pastillage, 30 pounds of chocolate and 40 pounds of royal icing, decorates the State Dining Room. EPA

This display celebrates national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains. Reuters

The first lady oversaw the exhaustive decorating effort. Reuters

The 2022 White House holiday theme is 'We The People', with 77 Christmas trees, a gingerbread White House, 15 wreaths and more than 83,000 holiday lights decorating the building. EPA

It is estimated that more than 50,000 people will visit the White House in the lead-up to Christmas. Reuters

Ms Biden found inspiration from America’s founding documents to deck the White House halls and to remind Americans of what unites them. EPA

A small Christmas tree stands in the middle of the Green Room. AFP

The US Constitution opens with the phrase, 'We the People', the theme for this year's decorations. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to meet Mr Biden this week and will be honoured that evening at a White House state dinner, the first of the Biden administration. AFP

More than 150 volunteers began decorating the interior and the exterior of the White House last week and continued through the Thanksgiving holiday. AFP

Christmas trees in the China Room. AFP

Ms Biden and team began planning the decorations in the spring. AFP

Christmas decorations on display in the Grand Foyer of the White House. AFP

Christmas wreaths adorn the outside of the White House. Reuters

Former president Barack Obama's portrait is on display alongside decorations in the Grand Foyer. AP

The White House noted that the holiday guide book visitors will receive was designed this year by Las Vegas, Nevada's Daria Peoples. AP

Ms Peoples is a former elementary school teacher who has written and illustrated a series of picture books to support children of colour, including those who have experienced race-based trauma. AP

Depictions of Commander and Willow, the first family dog and cat, are part of decorations in the East Colonnade. AP

The decorations include more than 83,000 twinkling lights on trees, garlands, wreaths and other displays. AP

Commander guards the Biden family stockings in the State Dining Room. AFP

The Biden family stockings. AFP

Willow and Commander get frisky in the Vermeil Room of the White House. AP

A closeup of Willow and Commander. AP

An owl decoration perches in the East Colonnade. AP

A gingerbread White House in the State Dining room is displayed in front of a copy of the preamble of the US Constitution. AFP

A copy of the first lady's apple crisp recipe decorates a fireplace mantel in the China Room. AP

Members of the US Marine Band play holiday music in the Grand Foyer. AFP

Commander sports a red scarf while decorators decked out Willow the cat with a festive red bow. AFP

A menorah that was built by White House carpenters from wood that was removed during a Truman-era renovation is on display in the Cross Hall of the White House. AP

A depiction of Commander is on display in the State Dining Room. AP

US President Joe Biden's wife Jill on Monday welcomed visitors to see this year's White House Christmas decorations, with references to the nation's founding documents as inspiration.

“We the People” is the Biden holiday theme, with White House decorations designed for “the people” to see themselves in the tree ornaments, mantel displays and mirrors.

“The soul of our nation is, and has always been, ‘We the People,’” Ms Biden said at a White House event honouring the volunteers who decorated over Thanksgiving weekend.

“And that is what inspired this year’s White House holiday decorations.”

The East Colonnade depicts winter trees, woodland animals and glowing lanterns. EPA

More than 150 volunteers began decorating the interior and the exterior of the White House last week and continued through the Thanksgiving holiday.

“The values that unite us can be found all around you; a belief in possibility and optimism and unity,” Ms Biden said.

“Room by room, we represent what brings us together during the holidays and throughout the year.”

Public rooms are dedicated to unifying forces: honouring and remembering deceased loved ones, words and stories, kindness and gratitude, food and traditions, nature and recreation, songs and sounds, unity and hope, faith and light, and children.

US first lady Jill Biden hosts White House Christmas festivities - in pictures

US first lady Jill Biden stands with Daria Peoples, an elementary school art teacher and children's book author from Las Vegas, Nevada, who contributed to the decorations. EPA

Ms Biden thanks volunteers from across the country who helped decorate the White House for the holidays. Reuters

Ms Biden departs after speaking at the unveiling. AP

A guest wears decorative attire as the first lady unveils this year's White House holiday theme and seasonal decor in the East Room of the White House. AP

Ms Biden arrives for a roundtable discussion on education for military-connected children with National Guard families and state adjutants general in the Roosevelt Room at the White House after unveiling the Christmas decorations. AP

Ms Biden in the Roosevelt Room with children of military families. AP

The roundtable discussion took place in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. AP

The children had name placards like other visiting dignitaries. AP

Some of the children's parents serve in the US National Guard. Reuters

Ms Biden receives the official 2022 White House Christmas tree with her grandson Beau. Reuters

Ms Biden gave comments on the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado after receiving the tree. Reuters

Beau Biden, son of Hunter Biden, holds his grandmother's hand as she receives the tree. Reuters

The tree arrives at the White House. Reuters

Ms Biden greets volunteers who will decorate the White House for Christmas. AFP

The tree stands in the Blue Room after being decorated. AFP

The decorations include more than 83,000 twinkling lights on trees, garlands, wreaths and other displays, 77 Christmas trees and 25 wreaths on the exterior of the executive mansion. AFP

The decorations include more than 83,000 sparkling lights on trees, wreaths and other displays, 77 Christmas trees and 25 wreaths on the exterior.

The National Christmas Tree lighting will take place on Wednesday evening.

This holiday season the White House expects 50,000 visitors, including tourists and invited guests for different receptions.

Among them will be French President Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to meet Mr Biden on Thursday and be honoured that evening at a White House state dinner, the first of the Biden administration.

Likenesses of the Biden family pets — Commander the dog and Willow the cat — first appear at the end of the hallway before they are seen later in the Vermeil Room, which celebrates kindness and gratitude, and the State Dining Room, which highlights children.

The Biden family stockings hang from the State Dining Room fireplace mantel.

Aides say Ms Biden was inspired by people she met while travelling around the country and by the nation’s founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The gingerbread White House was made using 20 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 30 sheets of gingerbread dough, 45kg of pastillage, 14kg of chocolate and 18kg of icing.

The holiday guide book visitors will receive was designed this year by Las Vegas-based Daria Peoples.

Ms Peoples is a former elementary school teacher who has written and illustrated picture books to support children of colour, including those who have experienced race-based trauma.

Later in the day, Ms Biden hosted the children of the National Guard for a forum giving the kids the opportunity to tell their unique stories.

"Your parents have to be ready to support those missions at a moment’s notice," Ms Biden said.

"So, you know what it’s like to have your family’s life put on hold, every time they are called to duty. And you do it with humility and honour."

AP contributed to this report