There will always be a fascination about seeing how decorating and entertaining is done on a large scale. Want to know how many trees are flown in? How about how many poinsettias are used? Click through the jump to find out!
East Wing:
Two 13-foot tall statues of Uncle Sam greet guests at entrance to the East Wing
East Colonnade windows are adorned with snow-covered wreaths, some hanging from eagles' talons
Antique sleigh carries a patriotic Santa, toys and red, white and blue wrapped packages
A display of Christmas cards from 10 Presidential administrations
Original artwork of the 2008 White House Christmas Card, Holiday Tour Booklet, and Holiday Reception Invitation
Ground Floor:
Ground Floor Corridor and Palm Room:
Eight tall red poinsettia arrangements in red drums
Six miniature reproductions of Presidents' homes (first displayed Christmas 2001)
250 poinsettias in Palm Room are tiered in alternating rings of red and white to form two large "trees"
Vermeil Room:
Mantel adorned with green garland and miniature gold drums
Library:
Mantel adorned with green garland accented with red balls
Wooden figure of Uncle Sam
State Floor:
Cross Hall and Grand Foyer:
Trees glistening with snow, icicles, tinsel, and lights
Stairway, mirror, and arches adorned with green garland featuring patriotic ribbon, snow, and red beads
East Room:
The traditional crèche, made in Italy in the 18th century, has been displayed in the East Room since 1967
Two 14-foot snow-covered Christmas trees trimmed with red and blue decorations and silver balls and stars
Mirrors and windows decorated with wreaths hung by red bows
Mantels adorned with green garland with red and blue beads and silver stars
Green Room:
Mantel draped in green garland laden with silver eagles and stars
Side tables arranged with silver ball topiaries
Blue Room:
The official White House Christmas Tree is an 18 ½-foot tall Fraser fir presented to Mrs. Bush by Jessie Davis and Russell Estes of River Ridge Tree Farms in Crumpler, North Carolina
The tree is decorated with 369 ornaments hand-decorated by artists from around the country, who were selected by their members of Congress. Each ornament was specially designed to characterize the unique, patriotic spirit of the artist’s state, district, or territory. All Senators and Representatives were invited by Mrs. Bush to participate.
Red Room:
Mantel adorned with green garland filled with patriotic star ornaments, and red, blue, and silver bells
Side table decorated with a cranberry tree, a White House tradition dating back to 1975
State Dining Room:
Sconces adorned with mixed greenery, miniature drums and flutes, and red balls
Mantel framed by green garland with miniature drums and flutes, and beads
Gingerbread White House
Replicates the White House's North Portico
40¾ inches east to west; 29 inches north to south
Took more than two months to create
All-gingerbread foundation covered by a white chocolate exterior
Created with more than 350 pounds of white chocolate and 125 pounds of gingerbread
Features replicas of the Bush family pets in a sleigh on the roof and cookies fashioned after the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
Fun Facts On The 2008 Holiday Season At The White House:
Volunteers helping decorate the White House: 92
Guests touring the White House during the Holiday: 60,000
Number of Holiday Receptions: 21
Number of Holiday Dinners: 4
Number of Christmas Cards from President and Mrs. Bush: 1,250,000
Christmas Trees from North Carolina: 27
Hand-Decorated Ornaments on Blue Room Christmas Tree: 369
Feet of Garland: 780
Wreaths: 232
Poinsettias: 412
Holiday Cookies: 22,000
Coconut Cakes: 250
Grapefruits: 3,000
Pounds of Asparagus: 600
Pounds of Cheesy Stone-Ground Grits: 300
Gallons of Eggnog: 700
You can read the full White House Christmas Fact Sheet for more on their holiday season!
All photos are featured courtesy of Luigi Crespo. Thanks Luigi!
—sarahrae
I hope President Bush has a very merry Christmas as he reflects on not being prepared for war, the growing world-wide economic crisis, and the gratitude of the Iraqi people.
view AustinSarah2's profile
I wonder how much of that food could have been spared for families who are going to be hungry next Thursday. Merry Christmas!
view aladywhoknows's profile
Austin Sarah, congratulations on being the first one to mention Bush. How boring!
view chicity1126's profile
I've always loved the giant Uncle Sam Nutcrackers. Very whimsical and fun.
view Seaside's profile
Where's the tree decorated with shoes, lovingly donated by the Iraqi people?
view sunspot42's profile