In a previous post, we shared a call from First Lady Michelle Obama, urging military children to “create a holiday card that represents your parent who is serving our nation.” The personal messages were to become part of this year’s holiday décor at the White House.

Holiday decorations at the White House has since been completed, and the First Lady invited military families to the first viewing of this year’s decorations, which had the theme “Shine, Give, Share.” The viewing was held on Wednesday.

Military families were honored through several decorations, including a Gold Star Families tree, which was adorned with ceramic gold ornaments that carry personalized messages by families. Tour visitors may also create handwritten notes for the troops.

The official White House Christmas tree, an 18½-feet tall balsam fir located in the Blue Room, is adorned with the holiday cards from military children, as well as medals, badges, and patches from the military branches.

Military children also created holiday ornaments and decorated cookies, with White House chefs Cristeta Comerford and William Yosses, as well as White House florist Laura Dowling, in the State Dining Room that day.