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Every year, millions watch as the White House transforms into a winter wonderland. But few know the hands behind the magic. This season, one of those hands belonged to Arkansas florist Zach Jones, owner of Bearded Bouquet in Jonesboro.
Zach spent Thanksgiving week in Washington, D.C., volunteering with the official White House Holiday Decorating Team. For a florist who loves watching the HGTV Christmas special, it was a dream come true, wrapped in Burgundy velvet ribbon and antique gold finishes.
Getting to the White House
For Zach, the journey started years ago at the Biltmore Estate, where he first learned that talented and willing florists could volunteer to decorate the White House.
A friend from North Carolina sent him the application link last summer. “Somehow I always seemed to miss the announcement window, but I’ve wanted to apply for so many years!” The application window is famously tiny, and this was his first attempt.
This year’s selected volunteers came from a pool of 12,000 applicants and represented all 50 states and U.S. territories. Their ages ranged from 18 to 76, and their backgrounds include teachers, Gold Star families, retired military personnel, professional decorators, event planners, florists and business owners.
White House staff manually review every application. Volunteers undergo a complete security screening and background check, and are checked in daily before starting their work.
Decorating “The People’s House”
Zach arrived in Washington on Nov. 24 and spent his first two days in the White House warehouse, where all décor is stored and prepared before installation. Think thousands of ornaments, floral picks, garlands, ribbons, and trees waiting to be fluffed, repaired, sorted or assembled.
Volunteers are organized into teams, each led by a captain who works directly with the First Lady’s staff to develop the vision for their designated area. Every room features a loose concept and sketch that aligns with the year’s theme. The 2025 season’s theme, “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” draws on warm, nostalgic imagery: butterflies symbolizing hope, vintage toys and elements honoring America 250.
Zach’s team was assigned to one of the most photographed areas in the entire White House: the Grand Foyer and Cross Hall. Visitors pass through this space as they arrive at the North Portico, during tours, and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.
Their palette? Burgundy, crimson velvet and metallic antique gold.
“It felt very traditional but rich, elegant and warm,” he said.
One of Zach’s primary responsibilities was preparing the amaryllis and paperwhite planters, which were showcased throughout the foyer. “I collaborated with others on most of the projects, but when I see those in pictures, I feel really proud because that was my thing.”
Inside the White House, workdays began early each morning. Music played in every room as teams decorated trees, added ornaments, styled mantelpieces and arranged floral displays. With 28 live trees in the entrance alone, lighting was a busy operation.
“We spent two days lighting trees,” Zach said, laughing. “And a group started there a day before us. It’s meticulous work.” But so worth it. Zach mentioned a moment at breakfast, sitting in the State Dining Room, with President Lincoln’s portrait hanging on the wall and you’re sitting and eating in the place you’ve seen in history books and you realize… “Oh, I’m actually here!”
Throughout the week, he met volunteers from Guam, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Ohio, and other parts of the country. They shared techniques, exchanged stories, and even created group chants to boost energy. Phones were not allowed inside, which, refreshingly, meant everyone talked, collaborated, and solved problems face to face.
Tips of the Trade
Zach returned to Arkansas with a notebook full of professional tricks and reinforced some of his best techniques. Here are a few things anyone can use at home:
- Light the tree “inside out.” If you are decorating live or unlit trees, run the extension cord to the middle of the trunk. Then wrap lights up and down each branch before returning to the trunk. This creates depth and the coveted warm glow from within. Never string lights from branch to branch.
- Place heavy ornaments deep inside the tree. They’re better supported and help fill gaps, creating a lush, layered look.
- Wrap the ornament’s string around the branch. Don’t let ornaments dangle on the tip of a limb; secure them close to the branch for a designer look.
- Start big, then go small. Begin with oversized ornaments and florals inside the tree and finish with smaller items.
- Step back often to see the whole design. Teams frequently pause to view the tree from a distance. Decoration is all about shifting perspective (and you must do it often).
- Use floral picks to add fullness. From roses to dahlias, dried hydrangeas to juniper sticks and magnolia leaves, floral stems instantly bring dimension and elegance.
Trends for the Season
According to Zach, this year’s Christmas decorations have shifted from highly specific themes to focus more on color palettes, a change that makes it easier to mix, match and update décor over time.
Instead of purchasing themed collections, more people are investing in timeless colors and high-quality materials they can reuse year after year. “It may cost more upfront, but you’ll keep using them for a decade.”
Here are a few palettes trending now:
- Champagne + Neutrals – Softer than gold, champagne blends beautifully with almost anything and creates an elegant, airy glow.
- Velvet + Deep Jewel Tones – Think Burgundy, forest green and oxblood, paired with velvet bows and ribbon for a rich, classic look.
- Old-World “Town & Country” – A cozy blend of plaid, fruit, pinecones, and vintage glass ornaments. Perfect for those who adore vintage charm.
- Saturated Naturals – Browns, deep greens, and earthy reds bring a grounded, warm feeling to both modern and traditional homes.
For Zach, the experience was exactly what he hoped for: creative, challenging, humbling and joy-filled.
“I definitely want to do it again. You learn so much from people all over the country,” he said.
As Arkansas prepares for its holiday decorating season, Zach and his team at Bearded Bouquet continue to create European-inspired garden-style arrangements and seasonal displays for homes and events across Jonesboro.
To explore Zach’s work or follow behind-the-scenes design moments, find him online:
Bearded Bouquet
3410 E Johnson Ave., Suite P
Jonesboro, AR
870-333-1661
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