This photograph was taken by Tina Hager on June 17, 2003, during a reception hosted by President George W. Bush in the East Room honoring the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Winter Championship teams. Here, President Bush is presented with a jersey by guard Diana Taurasi of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team. Taurasi was a member of the team for three of its NCAA championship wins from 2002-2004.

In this photograph taken by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama greets members of the DePaul University women's basketball team. The team visited the White House on June 14, 2013 in celebration of their NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship. President Obama greeted the group in the Blue Room.

In this photograph by Lawrence Jackson, President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pat Summitt, legendary former coach of the University of Tennessee women's basketball team. The ceremony took place on May 29, 2012 in the East Room. Novelist Toni Morrison, seated at left, was also honored with the award in addition Madeline Albright, John Doar, Bob Dylan, William Foege, John Glenn, Gordon Hirabayashi, Dolores Huerta, Jan Karski, Juliette Gordon Low, Shimon Peres, and John Paul Stevens.

This photograph of First Lady Pat Nixon was taken on December 11, 1972. Mrs. Nixon is seen standing in the Cross Hall among holiday decorations, including a poinsettia tree, floral designs draped around the chandelier, and red cloth covered columns. The Cross Hall, which is located on the State Floor of the White House, runs the length of the Executive Mansion and offers views of the East, Red, Green, and Blue Rooms.

In this photograph, First Lady Pat Nixon gives a tour of holiday decorations to the White House Press Corps in the State Dining Room. On display nearby is a German A-frame gingerbread house, designed by assistant executive chef Hans Raffert. Raffert created his first A-frame gingerbread house for First Lady Pat Nixon in 1969, where they soon evolved into a beloved holiday tradition.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Multiple wreaths hang from the railings. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance

This close-up photograph of the crèche display in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the East Room honored the "Gift of Gratitude." The 18th-century crèche was donated to the White House Collection by Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard, Jr. of Far Hills, New Jersey in 1967. The donation included 39 hand-painted figurines.

In this photograph taken by Warren K. Leffler, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert view a gingerbread house in the State Dining Room of the White House on December 10, 1979. Chef Raffert created his first German A-frame gingerbread house for the Nixon White House holiday decorations in 1969, where they subsequently became an annual tradition. Even after the A-frame design was no longer used, Raffert's skills were often used to create the Official White House Gingerbread House until his retirement in 1992.

This photograph of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier with the White House gingerbread house was taken in December 1999. Chef Mesnier and his team created gingerbread versions of the White House, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and Mount Vernon. The scene also included the Potomac river winding through the display. The theme chosen for 1999 was "Saving America's Treasures," highlighting Mrs. Clinton's program to help preserve important landmarks and historic artifacts.

In this photograph by Eric Draper, President George W. Bush toasts Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain at a State dinner held in her honor on May 7, 2007. The toast followed President Bush's welcoming remarks at the dinner, which took place in the State Dining Room. The evening also included a performance by violinist Itzhak Perlman in the East Room.

In this photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush stand with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Grand Staircase in the Entrance Hall of the White House. President and Mrs. Bush welcomed Queen Elizabeth and her husband to the White House for a State dinner held in her honor on May 7, 2007. The State Dinner took place in the State Dining Room and the evening also included a performance by violinist Itzhak Perlman in the East Room.

This photograph of stockings hanging on the mantel in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the State Dining Room honored the "Gift of Family" and included family photographs, stockings by the mantel embroidered with the names of the Biden's grandchildren, and the traditional gingerbread display.

This photograph of the United States Marine Band performing in the Entrance Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Col. Jason K. Fettig, director of the Marine Band, conducts the performance. Members of the Marine Band wear face masks as a protective measure against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the Cross Hall and Entrance Hall honored the "Gift of Faith and Community," and featured suspended candles, projected snowflakes, alcove displays, and Christmas trees and garlands decorated with artificial snow and white lights.

This photograph of star projections on the ceiling of the Entrance Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the Cross Hall and Entrance Hall honored the "Gift of Faith and Community," and featured suspended candles, projected snowflakes, alcove displays, and Christmas trees and garlands decorated with artificial snow and white lights.

In this photograph taken by Susan Biddle, President Ronald Reagan meets with members of the 1988 United States Winter Olympic speed skating team in the East Room on March 8, 1988. Among the speed skaters to meet President Reagan for a photo opportunity were Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, Moira D'Andrea, Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jeff Klaiber, Mary Docter, David Cruikshank, and John Backfield. The Olympians met President Reagan at the White House following the culmination of the 1988 games in Calgary the previous month.

In this photograph taken by Susan Biddle, President Ronald Reagan meets with members of the 1988 United States Winter Olympic speed skating team in the East Room on March 8, 1988. Among the speed skaters to meet President Reagan for a photo opportunity were Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, Moira D'Andrea, Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jeff Klaiber, Mary Docter, David Cruikshank, and John Backfield. The Olympians met President Reagan at the White House following the culmination of the 1988 games in Calgary the previous month.

In this photograph taken by Susan Biddle, President Ronald Reagan meets with members of the 1988 United States Winter Olympic speed skating team in the East Room on March 8, 1988. Among the speed skaters to meet President Reagan for a photo opportunity were Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, Moira D'Andrea, Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jeff Klaiber, Mary Docter, David Cruikshank, and John Backfield. The Olympians met President Reagan at the White House following the culmination of the 1988 games in Calgary the previous month.

This close up photograph of the Blue Room Christmas tree was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. The 2021 tree was an 18 1/2 foot Fraser fir hailing from Jefferson, North Carolina. It was grown by Rusty and Beau Estes of Peak Farms. The tree was adorned with peace doves bearing a ribbon with the names of the 50 states and territories to symbolize "Peace and Unity."

This photograph of the Blue Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. The mantel and the Blue Room Christmas tree were adorned with peace doves to symbolize "Peace and Unity."

This photograph of a topiary display in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The topiary is displayed in a gilded bronze basket attributed to the French firm Denière et Matelin of Paris. It was purchased for the White House in 1817. The basket depicts the Three Graces, Greek goddesses of beauty and charm. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the State Dining Room honored the "Gift of Family" and included family photographs, stockings by the mantel embroidered with the names of the Biden's grandchildren, and the traditional gingerbread display.

This photograph of White House Executive Pastry Chef Susan "Susie" E. Morrison posing by the White House Gingerbread House in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Constructed by the White House pastry team from baked gingerbread, pastillage, chocolate, and royal icing, the display featured eight community buildings representing the essential workplaces of frontline employees. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance.

This photograph of holiday decorations in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the State Dining Room honored the "Gift of Family" and included family photographs, stockings by the mantel embroidered with the names of the Biden's grandchildren, and the traditional gingerbread display.

This photograph of holiday decorations in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the State Dining Room honored the "Gift of Family" and included family photographs, stockings by the mantel embroidered with the names of the Biden's grandchildren, and the traditional gingerbread display.

This photograph of holiday decorations in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the State Dining Room honored the "Gift of Family" and included family photographs, stockings by the mantel embroidered with the names of the Biden's grandchildren, and the traditional gingerbread display.

This photograph of holiday decorations in the State Dining Room Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the State Dining Room honored the "Gift of Family" and included family photographs, stockings by the mantel embroidered with the names of the Biden's grandchildren, and the traditional gingerbread display.