A ballerina is lifted during a performance from Tchaikovsky's “The Nutcracker” among the holiday decorations in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington on Monday.

WASHINGTON — Ballerinas leaping to the strains of Tchaikovsky's “The Nutcracker” helped to launch this year's Christmas at the White House, featuring a traditional decor that Melania Trump chose for her family's first holiday season in the White House.

The first lady's theme is “Time-Honored Traditions,” a nod to 200 years of holiday celebrations at the executive mansion.

“The decorations are up!” Mrs. Trump tweeted Monday morning. “#WhiteHouse is ready to celebrate! Wishing you a Merry Christmas & joyous holiday season!”

Among the new touches this year: On the outside, wreaths topped with red bows adorn every White House window. Inside, glistening wintry branches line an East Wing hallway that leads guests to a tree decorated with the Trump family's official Christmas ornament, a gold-toned bauble featuring the presidential coat of arms surrounded by a wreath of holly.

The first lady's office previewed the decorations for journalists on Monday before welcoming students from a nearby military base in Maryland to check out the decorations and try some holiday-themed arts and crafts, such as building gumdrop trees and decorating garland.

“Are you the first lady?” asked one boy who then moved in for a hug. Classmates quickly followed for hugs of their own.

Wearing a winter white dress with capelike sleeves and gold-toned heels, Mrs. Trump descended a staircase from the residence to the Grand Foyer and spent a few minutes taking in the ballerinas before she joined a group of children making paper wreaths and other decorations in the State Dining Room.

“Surprise,” the first lady said as she entered the Red Room, where handiwork with gumdrops was under way.“So you want to show me how to do it?” she asked after taking a seat at the table with four students. A boy showed her how to make them.The family Christmas card is framed and on display, along with cards from past presidents. “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” says the card signed by President Donald Trump, the first lady and Barron, their 11-year-old son.That's a change from the Obama years, when the annual cards offered more generic sentiments of “Season's Greetings” or wishes for happy holidays. Trump has vowed to put “Christmas” back at the center of the holidays. During the presidential campaign, he complained that saying “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” amounted to “chipping away at Christianity.”More than 150 volunteers from 29 states spent 1,600 hours over the holiday weekend decking the White House halls.

First Lady Melania Trump visits with children in the Red Room working on holiday treats.