Denise Layman Helped Craft the ‘Magic, Wonder and Joy’ at the White House

This Ohio woman shares her story of transforming the ground floor into a holiday marvel.

Denise Layman of Ohio helped turn military kids’ pictures into ornaments on the Christmas trees in the Red Room of the White House. (Credit: Denise Layman)

Ohio mother of four Denise Layman wears a lot of hats — educator, crafter and professional knitter. Last month, to her elation, she added another: Official White House holiday volunteer decorator.

For the better part of a week over the Thanksgiving holiday, Layman joined about 300 volunteers from around the country led by a team of professional designers who cut, paste and hand-assembled ornate decorations for the White House. This year’s theme — ‘Magic, Wonder and Joy’ of the holidays — was unveiled earlier this season by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who thanked volunteers, like Layman, for their efforts in a reception at the White House.

The experience, for Layman, was more than she ever imagined. But, it was her handiwork on the military kids’ ornaments that she says she’ll never forget. Children from military families made pictures …