Deck the White House halls: Jill Biden wants holiday visitors to feel like kids again

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. stroll / stroʊl / (v.) – to walk somewhere in a relaxed manner, especially for leisure
    Example:

    Let’s stroll through the night market and check out the stalls.


  2. oversized / ˈoʊ·vərˌsɑɪzd / (adj.) – very large
    Example:

    The oversized sweater completely covered her hands.


  3. sleigh / sleɪ / (n.) – a big, open vehicle that is pulled by an animal, like a horse, over snow or ice
    Example:

    The family enjoys a ride in a sleigh pulled by horses during winter.


  4. awe / ɔ / (n.) – a strong feeling of respect and admiration for someone/something
    Example:

    The fans felt a deep sense of awe during the meet-and-greet with the celebrity.


  5. exterior / ɪkˈstɪər i ər / (n.) – the outer part of something, especially a building
    Example:

    They added some new lights to brighten up the exteriors of the building at night.


Article

Read the text below.

Step inside the White House during the holidays by walking beneath the branches of a Christmas tree. Stroll along a hallway decorated with oversized holiday candy and other sweets. See Santa’s sleigh and his eight reindeer suspended above the grand foyer in dramatic fashion.


Jill Biden wants everyone who visits the White House during the holidays to feel like a kid again.


“Each room is designed to capture this pure, unfiltered delight and imagination” so visitors “see this time of year through the wondrous, sparkling eyes of children,” the first lady said at the first of a month’s worth of holiday receptions. About 100,000 visitors are expected for the holidays.


“Magic, Wonder and Joy” is the theme this year, President Joe Biden’s third in the White House. 


The whimsical set of oversized decorations is meant to inspire the feelings of awe and wonder that put children on a joyful edge during the holidays, White House aides said.


The first lady unveiled a holiday ice rink on the White House lawn. The White House did not release information about how the rink will be used.


National Guard families, who joined the First Lady as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families, were among the first members of the public to see the decorations. Children of these and other military families were also treated to a performance by the cast of the North American tour of the Disney musical “Frozen.”


Ninety-eight Christmas trees, nearly 34,000 ornaments, over 22,000 bells, and more than 350 candles were used in the décor, according to the White House. Nearly 142,500 lights illuminate trees, garlands, wreaths, and other displays, and nearly 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) of ribbon are part of it all.


Seventy-two wreaths sporting red ribbons adorn the north and south exteriors of the building.


Some 300 volunteer decorators and designers spent a few days gathering decorations from a warehouse. They spent three days putting the decorations in their proper places.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Why do you think Jill Biden wants everyone who will visit the White House to feel like a kid again? Discuss.
  • Do you ever want to feel like a kid again? Why or why not? What thing or event do you think would make you feel like a kid again? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think this year’s White House holiday theme “Magic, Wonder, and Joy” would interest people to visit the White House? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What is the equivalent of the White House in your country? Do you think it would be a good idea to also decorate that place for the Christmas holidays? Why or why not? Discuss.