- First Lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree on Monday
- The 18-foot-tall Fraser Fir came from Cline Church Nursery in Fleetwood, North Carolina and helps kick off Christmas at the White House
- Children from ‘militarily connected families’ accompanied Dr. Biden at the tree’s arrival
First Lady Jill Biden received the 2023 White House Christmas tree on Monday as she gathered around a horse-drawn carriage with children from military families to inspect the Fraser Fir.
Just hours after President Joe Biden pardoned Liberty and Bell turkeys on the South Lawn on the day of his 81st birthday, his wife headed to the other side of the building to participate in a new annual tradition kicking off the Christmas season ushered in the White House.
Members of the Marine Corps Band played Christmas carols as White House staff and guests gathered to watch Dr. Biden, 72, accepted the tree.
The first lady walked out the north lawn doors of the White House with a group of children ranging in age as the band played the classic holiday tune O Christmas Tree.
First Lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree on Monday
During the annual tradition, Dr. Biden the Fraser Fir with children from ‘militarily connected families’
The 180-foot-tall tree came from a nursery in Fleetwood, North Carolina and once decorated will “fill the Blue Room of the White House” from floor to ceiling.
“Each year, the room’s chandelier is removed to accommodate the tree at its full height,” the White House said in a statement about the tree’s arrival.
The tree was delivered in the usual manner by a carriage pulled by two Clydesdale horses with the inscription ‘White House Christmas Tree 2023.’
He was told to Dr. Presented to Biden by siblings Amber Scott and Alex Church, who provided the tree from Cline Church Nursery, which won the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual competition for the 2023 Grand Champion Grower.
“I just want to say, Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving,” first lady Biden told the press gathered for Monday’s festivities.
The 18-foot tree came from Cline Church Nursery in Fleetwood, North Carolina and was unrolled on a Clydesdale dawn carriage in front of the White House as the Marine Corps Band played Christmas carols.
The annual tradition kicks off the Christmas season at the White House
The annual White House Christmas tree arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on Monday. and was received by First Lady Jill Biden
“I hope you’ve seen all of our military families. It was so nice of them to be with us today – all the kids,” Biden said. “The tree, which is beautiful, comes from the Cline Church nursery. Some children said they had never seen such a big tree.’
Biden invited the press to join the first family for the holidays at the White House to “come and see the tree when it is decorated.”
The White House notes that those who joined the first lady in the tree’s arrival are “militarily connected families.”
On the same day the tree arrived, Biden also took part in the long-held Thanksgiving tradition of the Turkey Pardon.
The president said the birds had to “overcome an uphill battle and competition” to join him on the White House lawn on Monday.
The tree’s arrival came hours after President Joe Biden pardoned Liberty and Bell turkeys as part of a longstanding Thanksgiving tradition at the White House. Biden also celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday
By the grace of the turkey, which also happened to be the day of the president’s 81st birthday, Biden made fun of his age as voters continue to express concerns about his fitness for office.
“By the way, it’s my birthday today. I want you to know that turning 60 is hard,” he joked.
The president added: “This is the 76th anniversary of this event. I just want you to know that I wasn’t there…
When presented with one of the turkeys for pardon, he said, “That’s a big bird man. I’m impressed. I hereby forgive, Liberty and Bell. Congratulations birds.’