I had the pleasure of serving with 300 volunteer decorators from across the United States, a volunteer from every state and territory.
The volunteer decorators, divided into teams, worked on specific rooms or areas of the White House under the direction of select design houses or designers, and under the overall direction and in collaboration with Rafanelli Events and the First Lady’s Office.
I must begin by saying, I am not a ribbon tree expert.
I am not a fabric or textile artist.
I have come to understand that there is in fact, an entire industry devoted to textile and ribbon arts and artists
… and they might be rather shocked by
my tutorial…but, it’s the method we used.
Here’s the thing, when we were first tasked with this project, we were off-site in a secure location, with no phones and no way to research this project.
No images, no Pinterest, no patterns, no examples, just large boxes of gorgeous ribbons.
The ribbon in the boxes, one more beautiful than the next, in hues of pinks, lavenders, burgundy wine, peaches and reds.
Our design team leader explained we needed a 360 degree ribbon tree display (of varying heights) for and entryway table in the Vermeil room.
I asked, “What color should the trees be?”
“What style should these trees be?”
She replied, “It’s up to you.”
This was a magical reply for a creative person to hear…
We could choose.
We began looking through our supplies, the different ribbon patterns and colors. For the largest of the trees, I landed on a deep red, or more precisely, a wine colored velvet ribbon.
For the tall velvet tree,
I fashioned points of ribbon and shingled
the tree from bottom to top. (See photos)
Creating rows of points, and using each new row to
layer to cover the pins of the first row.
I continued to layer, and move up the tree.
The process is slow at first, but speeds up
greatly as the tree gets skinnier towards the top.
Next we used a different design to cover a medium tree, a velvet peach ribbon to make pleats, pinning each pleat into place.
For a third tree, we used a wide crushed lavender velvet ribbon and layered ruffles around the tree form. Adding more and more frills.
We experimented with design ideas, and when it looked beautiful we moved forward.
Some trees were topped with bows of ribbon; sometimes using a contrasting color, and sometimes we used a fancy rhinestone encrusted button, which added a touch more glamour and femininity.
I had not been inside the Vermeil room, before this experience, but from the descriptions, I knew whatever we created should be feminine, beautiful and timeless.
That’s not too lofty of a goal, is it?
Here, at the First Lady’s Reception, after all our many days of decorating, our collective efforts were finally on display. This is a great photo for understanding the scope and size of the entry table.
This is a lucky shot. We didn’t have any cameras, so only a very few images of our work (in process) exist. The video from the HGTV White House Holiday Special and a scant few photos from designers let me see the exact ribbon we used for the velvet tree. How lucky.
Not only did we create ribbon trees for the Vermeil room, but we were asked to make dozens more for other spaces throughout the White House.
This is team Blitzen, our team of volunteers that crafted so many ribbon trees along with the rest of the Vermeil room decor, outdoor wreaths and other projects.
This is an example of a pleated tree, the ribbon is pinned in pleated rows.
The second row of pleated ribbon is
affixed so that it covers the pins from the first row.
Topped with contrasting lavender and royal purple ribbon bows.
This is great example of a loop-style tree with a button topper.
We did attach felt bottoms onto every
tree to protect any surfaces of furniture
that the trees might rest on
throughout the holidays. For the felt,
we used a touch of hot-glue to affix the felt.
For the large velvet ribbon tree we used 1.5” width Morex ribbon #12 NYLValour 01204 Wine.
The trees were nestled all snug in (their beds) or rather a few horizontally placed wreath forms of mixed pine.
The wreaths were faux, not fresh,
unlike the fresh 83 Christmas
trees inside the White House.
The problem for our ribbon tree display,
was that the ribbon trees needed to be elevated to different heights, tall enough that they didn’t
get swallowed up by the pine wreath branches.
The solution: using leftover empty cardboard ribbon spools, I hot-glued the finished trees to the
empty spools to add the much needed
height, giving our pretty trees the lift they needed.
The ribbon spools were obscured by the pine branches and carefully wired in ornaments in the table display. Being resourceful is the name of the game, pretty much a good skill for life, baking, or any other worthwhile adventures.
The Tutorial
I recreated the tall 24” velvet ribbon tree to use at a public speaking engagement, sometimes seeing a little piece of history, even a replica, helps bring the story into focus.
I think everyone enjoyed seeing the tall ribbon tree replica.
For this tutorial, I used a small styrofoam tree form and skinnier velvet ribbon which wasn’t my first choice, but it’s all I had left in my supply. For the purposes of showing how the tree comes together—it gets the job done.
I recommend using 1” or larger width ribbon when possible.
(I found my supply on Amazon summer 2025)
The large 2’ tree took almost two-10 yard rolls to complete.
At the White House, we used ribbons of
both wide and narrow widths,
nothing smaller than 1 inch,
all different finishes and textures.
Tools and Supplies Needed:
Ribbon-more than you think you’ll need
(Large trees-about 20 yards depending on style.)
(Small trees 10-12 yards depending on style.)
Scissors-sharp for clean cuts
Straight pins-more than you expect to use.
Styrofoam Cone(s)
A ruler
Felt and hot-glue for adding a
protective layer on bottom-optional
Fancy button-optional
The pretty buttons are from the sewing notions section of most craft stores. These buttons were purchased on sale, less than $2 each.
Begin by placing a band of ribbon at the bottom. Secure with straight pins.
The band of ribbon on the bottom helps to hide the styrofoam tree form-especially that bottom row.
Create a topper to cover the point of the tree. Pin into place.
Create a second row. Pin each piece into place to cover the pin of the row below.
Use two pins at the corners of each point to hold the pieces in place.
Continue working your way up the tree.
For this example tree, I used a smaller ribbon, because it’s the only wine ribbon I had left… it’s much easier to use a wider ribbon.
The finished little tree with a bow topper.
The little tree is really tiny… 6”
The tall tree is really tall…24”
For the bows, we pinned them in place.
The morning after the 2024 White House holiday decorations were revealed to the media,
I woke up early to find this photo on my phone
from NBC News.
 |
| Photo courtesy of NBC NEWS |
It was a thrill to see our creative work on display!
We were so proud of the beautifully decorated White House. Every room was magical, drenched in hand-crafted garlands, original ornaments and curated decor; beautifully designed honoring the theme: “ Season of Peace and Light.” In every corner there was a touch of holiday cheer, truly a gorgeous sight.
 |
| Photo courtesy of the White House |
I was eager to read the reviews… because as we all know, the reviews of the White House decor can be overwhelmingly wonderful or unbelievably cruel.
Happy to report, our efforts were met
with joyful and appreciative reviews.
My favorite was watching videos posted to the internet of holiday party-goers filming inside the White House, I so enjoyed their oohs and ahhs as they entered each room—some audibly gasped at the beauty. It was wonderful to watch others enjoy
The People’s House… as we intended.
They say, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Although our efforts are now just a memory, my memory of this experience will be a joy—forever.
Xo, Karri
FAQ
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO MAKE THE TALL TREE?
At the White House, I stopped and started many times, because we were decorating other parts of the room, and focusing on other projects. It took 3 days in the White House-but my days were very divided.
The replica took about 6 hours to complete, or two evenings of crafting while watching a movie and the evening news. I wasn’t working nonstop, but at a casual pace.
CAN I USE WIRED RIBBON?
You can use wired ribbon, and some of our White House trees had wired ribbon.
The velvet trees are not made with wired ribbon.
CAN ANYONE BECOME A WHITE HOUSE VOLUNTEER DECORATOR?
Anyone can apply through the First Lady’s Office.
Applications are often requested in late summer.
Conditional invitations are offered in early October to approximately 100-300 selected individuals, of the thousands of overall applications received, and ultimately, volunteering is dependent upon a successful background check and screening.
(This was my experience, different administrations may operate differently.)
The White House
did not pay for volunteer decorators
travel, or accommodations.
The White House did provide
us with hotel recommendations
and breakfast and lunch during volunteering hours.
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART?
There were so many “best” parts of my overall experience—but the people I met from all over the USA, my fellow volunteers were the BEST part… the teamwork, friendships and unbelievable creativity and commitment was incredible to witness.
More of the Vermeil Room:
