Kim Maddox could be considered a Christmasaholic if there was such a word in the English language. Her love of decorating for the Christmas season has landed her what some consider a dream gig.
Maddox has been selected to help decorate The White House in Washington D.C. which is no small feat. Three thousand applications were received in August 2025 and only 300 applicants were selected.
“I was so excited that they picked a girl from Magee MS. I mean you have all of these different florists and people who own their businesses and own shops and they picked someone who doesn’t even have a shop to be able to do that and to do the installation part,” Maddox said.
The process to apply is quite extensive, time consuming, and requires a great deal of patience especially waiting for an answer. Maddox says her interest sparked in April when she went to the White House historical website. “I saw that there was an opportunity to decorate for the White House. I had watched it. They send out application openings in August. I had to set my calendar for August. They do not give you an exact date.”
Maddox continued, “I wanted to do this. I don’t know how I can do this. I don’t know if I can do this but I’m going to try. So I watched it. I waited for Melania to post that the application season was opening so I did apply. During the application process you have to submit your website. You have to submit pictures. You have to submit your inspiration. You have to tell about yourself. If you are chosen on contingency which we all are chosen on contingency, you have to pass a background check as well. It’s a pretty lengthy process.” Decorators are notified the second week in October.
In August Maddox completed her application but did not submit it immediately. It took a coworker to push her to hit send. “I was very nervous. It was very intimidating. You think about everybody who can possibly do this job and my qualifications compared to most are very new. I was very apprehensive about submitting. Once I submitted it I was fine. I’m not going to lie. I was constantly checking my email, hoping and waiting to see if I would receive any news. On October 7 I was notified.”
Maddox had a mild heart attack she says after she received the confirmation email and her reaction was to call her family. “I called my husband; he didn’t answer. I called my mom; she didn’t answer. Nobody answered! So I called my best friend and she was in a meeting. I definitely ugly cried. I’m not a crier at all but that moment I ugly cried. I’m very honored to say the least. It’s a big deal! I’m just going to smile the whole time!”
Maddox will have the opportunity to decorate inside The White House but she is unaware if that means decorating trees or hanging lights. “I did not give them a certain time; I was open to whatever they decided. I am excited to say that I got picked for the installation part which is the decorating part which is exactly what I wanted. I wanted to be able to be in there to decorate!”
To say Maddox is over the moon is an understatement. Her excitement is palpable and fills every room she enters. It is all completely voluntary however The White House does provide breakfast and lunch on the days she will be working – Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving week. She added, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How can you pass that up?”
Maddox continued, “What I’m really excited about is on Monday December 1 they invite all of the decorators who have completed their tasks to The White House Holiday Party. So I will be there for that!” She does not know at this point if President Donald Trump will be there but she believes and hopes First Lady Melania Trump will be to thank the volunteers. “That would be amazing!”
The White House decorations take the week of Thanksgiving minus Thanksgiving Day. Maddox is traveling a few days early to play tourist. “I’m just excited! Everything about this trip – I have been told where to eat; I have been told what to see – I am EXCITED! I pinch myself but I’m running out of skin on my arms so I’m going to move to my legs I guess. I am very thankful that God gave me this opportunity. It’s all Him.”
