With four years of mixed reviews on former First Lady Melania Trump's avant garde Christmas decor, Americans are looking forward to seeing First Lady Jill Biden's intepretation of Christmas decorations.
The tree was presented to Mrs. Biden on a horse drawn carriage on Nov. 22. Upon the arrival of the 181/2 foot Fraser fir from North Carolina, the FLOTUS sniffed the tree and said it was "marvelous." The official White House Christmas tree will be dressed for display as the centerpiece in the Blue Room of the White House.
Kicking off the Biden;s first White House holiday season and . Each year, the National Christmas Tree Association hosts the National Christmas Tree Contest and the winner earns the honor of presenting a Christmas tree to the White House. 2021 marks the 56th year of this tradition.
This year’s 18 ½ foot Fraser fir tree hails from Peak Farms of Jefferson, North Carolina. Rusty and Beau Estes, owners of Peak Farms, are two time National Christmas Tree Association Grand Champions. They previously won this award and provided Fraser fir trees for the White House Blue Room in 2008 and 2012. 2021 marks their third time winning this award.
Per the White House, in honor of all the National Guard families who are activated and spending these holidays apart, the First Lady invited the Harrell Family (Representing the DC Army National Guard) to join us.
The Estes and Harrell families, as well as the representatives of the National Christmas Tree Association, will receive a tour of the White House and end in the Cross Hall to be greeted by the First Lady. The First Lady and the families will proceed through the North Portico Doors and walk the drive to the carriage. The First Lady will inspect the tree and take photos with Harrell and Estes families.
Rusty Estes is the owner of Peak Farms in Jefferson, NC, and has been in the Christmas tree business since 1979. Rusty has provided Fraser fir Christmas trees for the White House in the past, and had the honor of presenting to First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush in 2008, and First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama in 2012. Beau is the son of Rusty Estes and co-owner of Peak Farms. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2002 with a degree in turf grass management and horticulture. He's married to Amanda Estes and they have two sons together, Colin and Riley.