Christmas is officially on its way. And with that each year comes visions of snow, sleigh bells, shopping, the smell of oranges — and big design doings at America’s First Residence. For this First Family’s second holiday season at the White House, the designs once again are from First Lady Melania, with this year’s theme “American Treasures” drawing inspiration from the country’s unique heritage and highlighting a focus on patriotism.

Visual high points include the Blue Room with its official White House Christmas Tree (this year, an 18-foot Fraser Fir from Newland, North Carolina), the State Dining Room featuring 29 trees decked in more than 14,000 red ornaments and the First Lady’s signature touch of wreaths on exterior windows.

A Crimson Tide

Like last year, the section of the residence generating the biggest buzz (and more than a bit of controversy) is the East Colonnade which joins the east and west wings of the White House. For 2017 the lengthy walkway was lined with large white urns containing a forest of white winter branches, dramatically lit from below. That same hallway this year features 40 bright crimson topiary trees, each covered in red cranberries. Both bold visual statements to be sure.

Continuing holiday traditions include the Gold Star Family Tree, personally decorated by families who lost loved ones in military service; the White House creche, now in its fifty-first year on display, and a gingerbread scale replica of the White House – this year expanded to encompass the full National Mall including the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

As always, HGTV will be on hand for the festivities, presenting an hour-long TV special giving viewers a close-up look at the decorations as well as a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the holiday prep and activities.  For the second year, HGTV's Alison Victoria will be hosting the special and providing viewers with a guided room-by-room tour. The HGTV special White House Christmas 2018 premieres Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6pm ET/PT.