It is the most wonderful time of the year – and it appears first lady Melania Trump is already full of the festive spirit.
The 46-year-old mother-of-one began preparations for Christmas at the White House this week, first receiving the official tree on Monday, along with her 11-year-old son Barron, and then beginning the all important task of decorating it – and the building itself.
Melania shared pictures of herself, taken across a couple of days, on Twitter in which she can be seen hanging ornaments on a tree, putting some finishing touches to a bow on a wreath, and admiring the traditional gingerbread White House along with the official pastry chefs who are responsible for preparing the tasty creation each year.
Christmas is coming! On Wednesday afternoon, Melania Trump tweeted images of herself decorating the White House in preparation for the holidays
The beginning touches: The pictures showed the 46-year-old decorating a small tree, putting a bow on a wreath, and generally just preparing for the festive season
Chilly? Interestingly, Melania was pictured wearing a coat in several of the snaps, despite being indoors, including this one where she was shown the official gingerbread White House
Tasty! She put a tiny wreath on the sweet creation, which is made every year by the White House pastry chefs in celebration of the holidays – and will receive many more decorations
Celebrating: Melania shared the images on her official Twitter account on Wednesday, presumably tweeting from Mar-a-Lago where she is spending the holidays with her family
Melania even managed to maintain a suitably-wintry outfit while decorating, opting to keep a warm coat on, despite being inside the White House.
Some of the pictures, which show Melania admiring the gingerbread house, and then decorating it with a tiny wreath made of icing, appear to have been taken shortly after she and son Barron oversaw the arrival of the official White House tree.
In them, Melania is wearing the same festive red turtle-neck sweater, black trousers, and knee-high leather boots she was pictured in when the tree was delivered to the White House – as well as the same warm red-and-blue plaid coat she had on to keep out the winter chill.
Others show FLOTUS in a chic beige dress as ties a bow on a wreath, and puts up official White House-themed decorations on a small tree – which she does while wearing a matching collared coat, again despite being indoors, with her hair left in loose waves around her shoulders.
Melania shared the images on her official Twitter account, along with the caption, ‘Preparations are underway to celebrate holidays at the @WhiteHouse.’
It has certainly been a festive week for the Trump family; on Tuesday, the president and his wife hosted the annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation during which he pardoned a turkey called Drumstick as is tradition in the White House.
While addressing the crowds at the event Trump, standing alongside Melania and Barron, pointed out that in his first ten months in office he’s worked to overturn the executive actions of his predecessor, President Obama.
Tradition: On Tuesday, and her 11-year-old son Barron, joined President Trump at the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, where he pardoned a turkey, Drumstick
Fall favorite: Melania donned autumnal colors and a leather skirt for the occasion
Ready to go! The family then headed to Mar-a-Lago where they will spend the holidays
‘However, I have been informed by the White House counsel’s office that Tater and Tot’s pardon cannot, under any circumstances, be revoked,’ the president joked, name-dropping the heir and the spare of last year’s turkey pardon.
For this event, Melania once again ensured her outfit matched the very fall-focused occasion, wearing a brown skirt and a rust-colored turtle neck, while donning a brown floral jacket around her shoulders for warmth.
The coat featured several large flower-shaped patterns in autumnal rusts, reds, and creams.
Shortly after the ceremony, the Trump family headed to celebrate the holidays at the president’s exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he traditionally hosts family, friends and close contacts for a lavish dinner in celebration of Thanksgiving.
But before that – and before the turkey pardoning fun – Melania and Barron had their own festive responsibility, welcoming this year’s official White House Christmas tree.
Barron, who is Trump’s youngest son, and his only child with Melania, hasn’t been spotted much since moving to Washington, though President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama often enlisted the help of daughters Sasha and Malia around the holidays.
Monday’s appearance by the two Trumps, however, was short and sweet.
First, a horse drawn carriage pulled up this year’s tree, which will eventually be situated in the Blue Room.
More festive fun! On Monday, Melania and Barron oversaw the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree
She’s a beauty! Barron, who has grown taller than his mother in heels, was seen surveying the Wisconsin-grown Christmas tree arriving at the White House Monday afternoon
Stylista: The first lady kept it casual with a red top, jeans, heeled boots and a plaid jacket, pulled over her shoulders – a style she seems to adore
Mother-son fun! Melania and Barron looked happy and relaxed in each other’s company as they enjoyed the festive tradition together
The White House’s giant Christmas trees almost always fill the entire room.
This year’s tree was provided by the Chapman family of Silent Night Evergreens, located in Endeavor, Wisconsin.
They were the winners of the National Christmas Tree Association national tree contest.
The winners of the contest have provided the official White House Christmas tree since 1966, the White House said.
Melania stepped onto the North Portico, sporting the same black slacks, heeled boots, red turtleneck sweater and plaid trench coat she wore in the images later shared on her Twitter account.
A dressed-up Barron was wearing a white button down shirt and a jacket and slacks with boots.
The two Trumps greeted the horse-drawn carriage and spent about a minute surveying the tree before going to meet and take pictures with the Chapman family.