In a press conference, First Lady Michelle Obama annouced that this year’s White House Christmas theme is “reflect, rejoice and renew.” “For the Obama family, Christmas and the new year has always been a time to reflect on our many blessings, to rejoice in the pleasure of spending time with our family and our friends, and to renew our commitment to one another and to the causes that we believe in. And I wanted to continue that part of the tradition during our first holiday season here at the White House,” she explained.
Photo: Newscom/Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT
Oh Christmas Tree!
Delivered from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, this year’s White House Christmas tree arrived via horse and carriage on November 27. It now adorns the Blue Room of the White House.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
In light of the ‘renew’ theme, each of the 800 ornaments throughout the White House and on the Christmas tree have been repurposed from past administrations. Community groups personalized each ornament with their favorite local landmarks.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
It took Chef Bill Yosses six weeks to design and craft the traditional White House gingerbread house, a masterpiece he describes as a “pet project of the whole house.”
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
A new addition to the traditional gingerbread house is a Bo Obama figure made out of marzipan.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
Another new addition is the White House kitchen garden on the South Lawn, with soil made from chocolate cake and the vegetables — crafted with the help of local schoolchildren — made out of marzipan.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
A scene from the East Room.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
The red room of the White House has become ablaze with festive Christmas trees and decor.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
The state dining room.
Photo by Christina Bellantoni
