So far pretty recesionnary.

ya it would have been nice to see something a bit more modern

not as nice as I had expected, quite conservative...maybe the private quarters will be a bit more creative!?

Yeah, they might need a little help. Simon, where are you?

The New York Times Style section ran a piece about how the Obamas are keeping religion out of the holiday decorations to keep it more inclusive. I'm glad to see that in these decorations. The American flag ornament is a bit much, though.

Wow, this is pretty ugly... I agree, they could modernize a bit.

I agree with you all (especially coming from me, who made a door wreath out of barbed wire, broken glass and razor blades) but both the venue and the position have to be considered. This isn't an art gallery, design house or edgy lifestyle retail space. Its the White House. Viewed by everyone, representative of our country.

He is taking his client into consideration. I'd love to see something a little more contemporary, but there is a possibility he might have had instructions to the contrary.

Modernizing would cost money, and if the Obamas spent a mint on up-to-date giftmas decor, there would be howls from the right wing about it. It's an old house, so traditional decorations are entirely appropriate.

I do like the idea of sending out the ornaments to have them decorated with local landmarks. But agree with everyone here that I would like to see something more modern and pulled together.

Boring. It fits the style of the room, which I also think is boring. But I do like the sentiment of sending the decorations out and having them personalized. That's at least less boring.

It totally lacks their personal style (although I'm wondering if they even have one). They kept a lot the same, the Oval Office hasn't changed, and now the Christmas decor lacks luster. I went there during the Christmas season during the Clinton administration and it had so much character!!! So disappointed in the First Lady.

Sorry, but those Christmas trees are ugly. Are those plaster cherubs on top?! On my monitor, the dominant colour seems to be brown; maybe it looks richer in real life, but these displays should be designed with photography in mind. Sheesh.

Umm... Leen?? what does the First Lady have to do with this?? They are decorating the White House, not THEIR house.

This administration also want to remove any trace of religion from Christmas forgetting the Reason for the Season.

The Reason for the Season? You mean Winter Solstice, right? Or did you mean Hanukkah?

Jezebella, it's called CHRISTMAS because of CHRIST. Otherwise it would just be winter solstice or whatever.

Not everybody in America celebrates Christmas, have you heard? It's true. I read it on the internet.

So i've heard, but i'm talking about the reason it's called CHRISTMAS. I know not everyone celebrates it. But it's called Christmas for a Reason.

"But it's called Christmas for a Reason."

You mean because the Catholic Church of Rome in the 4th century wanted to make Saturnalia/Winter Solstice it's own holiday to bring more Pagans into the church?

I think a modern take on the Christmas Tree (there are so many alternatives out there) could have been nice to see? I do look the berries over the fireplace though...

@befsf - great response, so true.

I bet if someone had used a proper camera without a flash, we'd see a lot of beauty here.

Oy, I'd love just ONE Christmas post this (or any) year without "pagan" popping up in the comments.

And I find it just sad that a supposedly visual crowd can't see past a particular style and just find the beauty, joy or inspiration.

I'm no Federalist, but that first shot is gorgeous (albeit not THE best shot), and the brown and gold is an interesting holiday palette, regardless of stylistic leanings.

And as much as I love Simian Doonan, I think he is an odd choice for this gig.

Kinda like appointing Richard Simmons as Chair of the President's Council of Physical Fitness.

@Haunted_Studio, turn off Fox News and back away from the television slowly. No conspiracy here; move along and happy holidays.

Perhaps the intention was to remove evidence of both religion and style. Oh, well. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.