Christmas At The White House

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

01 Dec 2006 07:00 AM

On the 24th day before Christmas my true love gave to me 4,638 red ornament balls, 17 Christmas trees, 269 wreaths, 1,089 feet of garland... and a partridge in a pear tree. Quite a gift, wouldn't you say? And one that is currently on display at the White House for all of us to enjoy.

"This is a beautiful old house to decorate for Christmas," First Lady Laura Bush told news reporters yesterday as she unveiled this year's "Deck the Halls and Welcome All"-themed dressing up of the executive mansion.

Joining the thousands of ornaments, dozens of trees and hundreds of wreaths is my favorite holiday decoration--an elaborate edible masterpiece--a gingerbread White House-complete with miniature recreations of family pets Barney and Miss Beazley and 800 hand-piped icing snowflakes.

The executive mansion's Blue Room is decked out with the White House's official Christmas tree-an 18.5-ft. Douglas fir. In the East Room, a buffet table is decorated with faux firs and polished silver tureens waiting to welcome the first round of holiday guests Thursday evening.

Believe it or not, President and Mrs. Bush will be greeting 10,000 guests during 24 parties spread over 20 days. (I haven't received an invitation to any of them, have you?) Which means all the hard work that goes into creating the festive surroundings is done for good reason. What you may not know is that while White House staffers tend to the eggnog, wreaths, and the 1,089 feet of garland, the first family quietly sets up their own tree in their private quarters. Mrs. Bush told reporters that she decorates the tree with ornaments she's had since twins Jenna and Barbara were babies. Other Christmas decorations festooning the President's private living area include a nativity set and a host of other Christmas decorations the first couple has picked up during their world travels.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Eliza Ferree (725) 01 Dec 2006 06:08 AM

hehe, Oh but I think it would be a neat thing to go. A girl can dream can't she? The White House sounds lovely and very festive. Are there any pictures?

Michele Cheplic (37339) 01 Dec 2006 10:34 AM

Eliza--I'm with you! I'd love to take a tour. I'm not sure what it takes to score an invite--probably have to be a celebrity or have saved a life or two. You can see the pictures at the TODAY show website: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15973032/

thanks for the comment!