Outgoing US first lady Jill Biden has gone all out with the decorations for her last Christmas in the White House – but not everyone is happy.

The decorations – on the theme of “a season of peace and light” – were officially unveiled on Monday (US time).

They feature Christmas trees decorated with nearly 28,000 colourful ornaments in each historic room, with room also showcasing animals aboard a brightly lit carousel.

“As we celebrate our final holiday season here in the White House, we are guided by the values we hold sacred: Faith, family, service to our country, kindness towards our neighbours, and the power of community and connection,” Jill and husband Joe Biden wrote.

“It has been the honour of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady. Our hope is for the nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season. We wish you a merry Christmas and happy holidays.”

The carousel in the Blue Room came in for particular criticism. Photo: AAP

Source: White House

Perhaps somewhat predictably, though, there has been criticism from some Republicans – now counting the days until Donald Trump and wife Melania are reinstalled in the White House – about the bright “clownish” decorations.

Trump campaign staffer Greg Price was scathing.

“Jill Biden’s Christmas decorations look like what would happen if a group of circus clowns projectile-vomited all over the White House, which I guess is the perfect metaphor to sum up the last four years,” he said.

Another Trump staffer, Jacob Schneider, also didn’t hold back.

“What has Nurse Jill done with our White House? My God,” he posted.

Elsewhere, Abigail Jackson, the communications director for a Republican senator, said: “White House Christmas decorations are circus-themed. How fitting.”

In fact, along with turkey and candied yams, criticising White House decorations appears to have become something of an American festive tradition.

Melania Trump has also borne the brunt of it – particularly for her effort in 2017.

The design aesthetic of the Trump women is “the rotting void inside of us” pic.twitter.com/1Py9GgLfYf

— Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) November 28, 2017

In 2018, Trump lined the East Wing hallway with a phalanx of undecorated red trees. The 40 topiary-style trees captivated people online with their colour and general air of menace.

The crimson theme continued elsewhere, with 14,000 red ornaments hanging on 29 trees in the Cross Hall and Grand Foyer.

“So Melania decorated the White House for Christmas – with blood red trees right out of The Shining: Holiday Version,” noted one Twitter user. A second said she was subtly sending out a “Code red”.

Others compared Mrs Trump’s expensive vision to the cloaks in The Handmaid’s Tale and it was noted the “Hell on Earth Christmas tree aren’t very subtle.”

So it looks like @FLOTUS has chosen “dystopian nightmare” as her Xmas theme for the 2nd year in a row #MerryChristmas

2018 & 2017 pictured pic.twitter.com/4uRKZik8o7

— Mary-Catherine 💚 (@MaryCat1719) November 26, 2018

What Christmas 2025 will bring is, of course, yet to be seen.