As a tradition in the US, First Lady Jill Biden welcomed a full and very festive-looking Fraser fir tree as the official White House Christmas tree.
The 18.5 ft tree was presented to the First Lady of the US by Beau Estes of Peak Farm in Jefferson, North Carolina, and was brought into the North Portico in a horse-drawn carriage.
The Christmas tree will now stand in the Blue Room of the White House where it will be decorated with a theme chosen by the FLOTUS.
Unsurprisingly, the price of the White House Christmas tree is higher than the usual costs.
According to federal documents obtained by TMZ, it showed that the National Park Service paid $139,000 to have this tree located, transported, and transplanted.
Moreover, the documents also showed that the group spent a hefty $171,000 on ‘event support’ in preparation for the 2021 National Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities, given that celebrations slowly started to get back to normal.
The White House also spent $41,000 for Christmas decorations for the Eisenhower building and Jackson Place, the documents revealed.
“Every year one-of-a-kind ornaments are made by ordinary Americans, representing every US state, territory, and the District of Columbia,” the info on the National Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities website reads.
“These artists give their time and talents to design and create ornaments that symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of their homelands,” it continued. “The America Celebrates display, which surrounds the National Christmas Tree, is free and open to visitors throughout December.”
On December 2, LL Cool J will reportedly be hosting the event, which will feature festive music from Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, Kristin Chenoweth, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo, Maren Morris, and Patti LaBelle.
The last pre-pandemic National Tree was welcomed in 2019 by former First Lady Melania Trump and reportedly costs $160,000.