Bidens open holiday season with Christmas tree and ‘friendsgiving’
WASHINGTON: Jill Biden opened the holiday season at the White House on Monday by breaking off a sprig from the official Blue Room tree and giving it — and a big smooch — to her toddler grandson.
The first lady later joined President Joe Biden for a visit to the Army’s Fort Bragg in North Carolina to celebrate “friendsgiving” with service members and military families. The two events set off a White House holiday season that is expected to be much more festive this year, as public health officials encourage those vaccinated against COVID-19 to get together in person, instead of begging Americans to stay home, as they’ve done for holidays past.
The holiday tree was presented by the father-and-son team of Rusty and Beau Estes of Peak Farms in Jefferson, North Carolina — a three-time winner of the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest. The winner gets to present its official tree to the White House. Son Hunter Biden, his wife, Melissa, and their toddler, Beau, were among a sizable group of White House aides, guests and others who braved crisp winds to watch the brief ceremony marking the start of the administration’s first Christmas in the White House.
The Fraser fir will be decorated in the coming days and displayed in the
Blue Room.
The White House Christmas decorations will be revealed on the Monday after Thanksgiving, the first lady said. Jill Biden was joined by a DC Army National Guard family to honour the National Guard’s role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, her office said. She has been using her new role to help highlight and rally support for military families from across the country through an initiative named Joining Forces.
At Fort Bragg, the meal was held in a large hanger replete with pumpkin and pine cone centrepieces for about 250 servicemembers and families.
Jill Biden talked about how proud she was of the troops before introducing the president, who echoed her praise.
“You do so much, your families do so much,” President Biden said. “You’re the finest military the world has ever seen … and I’m so damn proud to be associated with you.”