The White House Christmas decorating theme for 2008 is “A Red, White and Blue Christmas.” Current First Lady Laura Bush suggested this year’s theme because of letters from Americans that began arriving after September 11th suggesting the White House have a red, white and blue Christmas.
According to a statement by Mrs. Bush’s press secretary Sally McDonough, “…the holiday decorations include two 13-foot tall statues of Uncle Sam welcoming visitors to the East Foyer; an antique sleigh carrying a patriotic Santa, toys, and red, white, and blue wrapped packages; and the Gingerbread White House…”
The 2008 Holiday theme permitted using red ornaments and themed decorations from previous Bush years on various White House trees. In the Cross Hall – a broad hallway on the first floor that runs east to west connecting the State Dining Room with the East Room – are trees featuring the 2001 “Home for the Holidays” Christmas theme. (Photo #2) And on the President’s Oval Office tree are the national parks ornaments from the 2007 Blue Room Christmas Tree.
The LED (light-emitting diode) lights on the Christmas trees are new this year. In her remarks to the Press, Mrs. Bush encouraged Americans to consider using LED Christmas lights, when their old lights wear out, because of their low energy use.
A horse-drawn carriage delivered the official White House Christmas tree Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, to the North Portico of the White House. (Photo #3) The official 2008 White House Christmas Tree placed and decorated in the Blue Room is an 18 ½-foot tall Fraser fir (Abies fraser).
Russell Estes and Jessie Davis of River Ridge Tree Farms in Crumpler, North Carolina presented the tree to Mrs. Bush. Mr. Estes and Mr. Davis won the honor of having their tree displayed in the White House by becoming the 2008 National Grand Champion Growers of the National Christmas Tree Association. NCTA members have shared the honor of presenting the official White House Christmas Tree since 1966.
The White House Floral Department staff and some 92 White House volunteers decorated this year’s tree in keeping with the theme of “A Red, White and Blue Christmas.” Tree decorations are 369 spherical ornaments, designed by artists from around the country selected by their Congress members. Mrs. Bush invited all Senators and Representatives to participate by selecting an artist. Each hand-painted ornament characterizes the uniqueness of the artist’s state, district, or territory. (Photos # 4 & 5)
Tours of the Holiday White House
More than 60,000 visitors are anticipated for White House holiday tours this year. Tour requests must be submitted through Members of Congress. Guests visiting the White House will each receive the Holiday Tour Booklet illustrated by Peter Catalanotto of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Replica White House decorations will be on display at the Visitor Center during the holiday season. The Center is located inside the north end of the Department of Commerce building, between 14th and 15th Streets at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Here are also interesting exhibits, tourist information and helpful staff to answer questions.
Learn more about the National Christmas Tree and enjoy a virtual White House holiday tour by accessing online videos and photo essays at Mrs. Bush’s official White House website.
Home and Garden TV ( HGTV) steps inside the White House to find out just what it takes to decorate the home of the President and the First Lady for the 2008 holidays. Here is the HGTV schedule:
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