Kate Ruge, an interior designer from Mason, Ohio, achieved the opportunity of a lifetime when she was selected as one of 145 volunteer decorators to help transform the White House for the 2025 holiday season. Out of approximately 12,000 applicants nationwide, Ruge was chosen as the sole representative from the Cincinnati area and one of only three decorators selected from Ohio.
Ruge, who owns and operates Kate Ruby Interiors, described the experience as surreal and historically significant. "You just have to sort of pinch yourself, right? You're looking around like, oh my gosh, you know, this is the history of it all," she explained. The wife and mother of two has been a longtime fan of HGTV's annual "Christmas at the White House" special, which inspired her to apply for the volunteer position through the official White House website.
The selection process culminated in October when Ruge received notification of her acceptance. Once chosen, she joined volunteers representing all states, various cities, and U.S. territories in bringing the First Lady's holiday vision to life. This year's theme, "Home is Where the Heart Is," guided the decorative approach throughout the nation's most historic residence.
Ruge was particularly struck by the intricate attention to detail throughout the White House during her visit. "I really found myself gravitating towards all the little details that are in the White House and the history of it all, and the decor, the wallpaper. I mean, everything is so intricate and intentional," she noted. The experience allowed her to appreciate the careful curation that goes into every aspect of the building's aesthetic.
The decorating process began at a warehouse facility in Washington, D.C., where volunteers spent time sorting through stored decorations, checking lighting systems, and crafting ornamental pieces. From there, the team moved to the White House itself, where they worked intensive 10 to 12-hour days to execute the holiday transformation. Ruge had the privilege of selecting ribbons, ornaments, and decorations specifically for high-profile spaces including the Oval Office and the Grand Foyer.
"I got to pull the ribbons and the ornaments and some of the decorations for the Oval Office and the Grand Foyer, and just some of these rooms that you only see on TV," Ruge shared, emphasizing the unique access she gained to spaces typically viewed only through media coverage. The First Lady played an active role throughout the process, personally overseeing the thematic development and providing hands-on guidance for the decorative vision.
The completed holiday display features dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of ornaments, and numerous wreaths adorning the halls and walls of what volunteers consistently referred to as "the People's House." Ruge took particular pride in ensuring the decorations met the highest standards for the American public. "The broader story of this is the People's House, and it needed to be perfect for America," she emphasized.
As a special recognition of their service, all 145 volunteers were invited back to the White House on Monday for an exclusive reception hosted by the First Lady. This event allowed the decorators to experience their handiwork from a guest's perspective, providing a fitting conclusion to their extraordinary volunteer experience at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
