This photograph of the holiday decorations 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" and featured the East Room's traditional crèche display, oversized greeting cards, as well as thank you cards entwined among the branches of Christmas trees and on mantelpiece displays. Gilbert Stuart's 1797 official portrait of George Washington is prominently featured in this photograph.