As HGTV hosts with well-known access to their own inner children, brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott (Property Brothers: Forever Home and Celebrity IOU) leapt at the chance to create and experience holiday magic at the White House. “The 2023 White House holiday theme is inspired by how children experience this festive season,” the President and First Lady wrote in a welcome letter opening the 2023 White House Holiday Guide. “It’s that whimsy and that fun from when we were children around the holidays,” Drew said upon arrival at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. “I can feel it already!”

First-timer White House Christmas host Drew was hyperconscious of the time crunch: “We only have 72 hours to transform the White House[?!]” “We have lots of help,” Jonathan — who pitched in on decorating last year — assured his brother. “We have 300 volunteers!” An estimated 50,000 visitors toured the White House’s decorations in 2022, and twice that number are expected this year. Accordingly, its building, crafting and all-around merrymaking population doubled this year as well. Sure enough, that dedicated crew (and the White House staff, along with the Scott brothers) outdid themselves once again.

A total of 72 classic wreaths adorn the White House’s north and south façades this year, and 142,425 holiday lights decorate its trees, garlands, wreaths and displays. “I can give one embarrassing detail,” Jonathan said. “I have 208,000 lights at my house.” “If you happen to notice any empty spots on your trees here, it’s probably because he took things home,” Drew warned White House Designer Emily Barton.

Holiday visitors enter the White House through the East Portico, where volunteers staged an ingenious, one-of-a-kind “Magic Under the Tree” illusion to introduce 2023’s theme of “Magic, Wonder, and Joy.” As the First Family put it, “In this season of reflection and goodwill, we hope you will embrace your inner child and delight in simply being present with those you love.” That evocation of childhood is literal here, where the portico’s interior roof is decorated to create the impression of walking beneath larger-than-life boughs. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this — you have a tree growing through the roof of the White House!” Jonathan exclaimed. “Tell me you didn’t cut a hole in the roof of the East Portico.”

“I did not,” White House volunteer Marielle Shortell assured him. “There’s actually a tree on top and then this is a setup below!”