President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump held hands as they welcomed the White House Christmas tree that arrived Monday afternoon.
The first couple walked around the horse-drawn carriage to see the giant fir tree that will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House.
The president gave one of the Clydesdale horses a pat on the butt as they checked out the tree.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump held hands as they examined the White House Christmas tree
President Trump pats one of the Clydesdale horses on the butt
Melania Trump wore a $3,995 red plaid cape from Michael Kors
The giant fir tree that will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House
The first couple was dressed festively for the occasion: Trump wore a suit with a red tie while Melania Trump wore a $3,995 red plaid cape from Michael Kors over black pants and a top with her signature heels.
It was a beautiful, sunny day in Washington D.C. and there was a festive atmosphere in the air with the Marine band playing holiday music as the tree arrived and the horses wearing bells that jingled as they trotted up the driveway to the front door of the White House.
First son Barron Trump, who was present for last year’s tree arrival, was no where to be seen this year.
The Smith Family of Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm presented the tree to the first couple.
The tree was grown in North Carolina, which is the state that has provided the most White House Christmas trees at 13. Firs have also been the most popular trees with 51 having done Christmas duty.
Larry Smith told The Charlotte Observer that he had almost abandoned the 19 1/2-foot-tall Fraser fir that will decorate 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
‘It hadn’t been trimmed the last couple of years,’ he said. ‘I’d basically abandoned it.’
He recalled that when White House chief usher Timothy Harleth and superintendent of grounds Dale Haney visited his tree farm in September, that he thought they would choose another one.
But he said: ‘They just loved the natural look to it.’
Smith won the 2018 Grand Champion designation at the National Christmas Tree Association’s Christmas Tree Contest, which gave him the honor of providing the tree.
It was his fifth try.
There was a festive atmosphere in the air with the Marine band playing holiday music as the tree arrived
The first couple held hands as they welcomed the tree
The first Christmas tree in the White House was in 1889 during President Benjamin Harrison’s administration
The tree is the 19 1/2-foot-tall Fraser fir
The National Christmas Tree Association has held a national competition since 1966 to select the ‘official tree’ for the White House Blue Room. To qualify, growers must first win their state or regional competitions. Being named National Grand Champion is a major achievement, according to the White House Historical Association.
‘It’s like winning the Super Bowl,’ Smith told the Observer of having his tree selected.
The first Christmas tree in the White House was placed in the second floor Yellow Oval Room in 1889 during President Benjamin Harrison’s administration. It was decorated with candles, and toys for the Harrison grandchildren, according to the White House Historical Association.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted guests
The first couple came out of the front door of the White House to welcome the tree
Monday’s tree arrival kicks off the holiday season at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The White House will be decorated for Christmas over the Thanksgiving holidays. On Tuesday the president will pardon a turkey and next Monday Trump will light the National Christmas Tree that sits on the Ellipse of the National Mall.