Melania Trump is once again gearing up to fulfill the duties associated with being the first lady for another four years. This includes the task of decorating the White House for Christmas, a responsibility that has often made headlines in the past.

Unraveling Melania Trump's Christmas Decorating Style

Personal Touch vs. Duty

Melania Trump, at 54 years old, is known for her exquisite taste. As the ex-model wife of President-elect Donald Trump, she has previously made waves during the holiday season. In a leaked audio recording from 2018, she was heard expressing her mixed feelings about the Christmas decorating task. "I’m working … my a– off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f— about the Christmas stuff and decorations?" she said. But despite her initial reservations, friends and sources suggest that she will step up and carry on with White House traditions. A social source in Palm Beach tells PEOPLE, "Melania will do what she is asked as first lady but under her own terms, and that includes decorating the White House for the Christmas holidays. She will set her own schedule, make her own rules, and use her own taste. She will do what she wants with Barron’s needs coming first above everything."Another social source thinks that Melania may prefer spending time at Mar-a-Lago or Trump Tower where her son Barron is living while attending New York University. But duty will call during certain times of the year. "Seasonal fun in the sun is more her style, but like any other first lady she will have duties and [decorating] is one that is palatable to her," the source says. "This term, without her [late mother Amalija Knavs], she will seek to make her own traditions, and we may all be surprised. She has Barron with her and since he is closer to Washington than if she were hiding out in Palm Beach, she may likely spend more time and devote more honest interest in decorating for Christmas in the White House."

Balancing Act with Barron's Needs

Businesswoman Robin Bernstein, a friend of Melania's, agrees that Barron's needs will determine the amount of time she devotes to decorating. "Melania has exquisite taste and will make the White House beautiful and magical," she says. "But she has Barron to look after, and that time will factor into how long she spends on various parts of the project." Another political source also believes that Melania is clever and creative and can put together a great holiday scene. "She is talented and can do a beautiful holiday scene in the White House even if she tackles it as just another duty," the source tells PEOPLE. "She will have more time this next year. She has an older son, she has to make her own life without her mother, and she could be a lot closer to the White House this term because Baron is in New York during those weeks leading up to the holiday season."Still, the source predicts that while Melania has taste, she may rely on her staff to "implement" the ideas. "Don't forget Melania is her own person, and she will give it the time she thinks it needs. No more or less."As for whether Melania will spend the actual holiday season at the White House hosting receptions and parties, that remains to be seen. A social source previously told PEOPLE, "She will have her private living apartment there, and she has her home in New York, and her home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. She will spend time in all of these places."