A 2012 WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanEach year the First Family celebrates Christmas with a specific theme. They open their doors to share the festivities with one and all. The theme is a custom started by Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy for her daughter, Caroline, as she created ‘The Nutcracker Theme’. Others over the years have been ‘Winter Wonderland‘, ‘Old Fashioned Christmas‘, ‘ Red, White and Blue Christmas‘ and these are just a few.
This Christmas for 2012, the theme will be ‘Joy To All‘. It is time to celebrate, fill our hearts with warmth and cheer, the joy of giving and service to others, the joy of sharing our blessings and the joy of welcoming guests to our homes.
Every room at the White House plays a role by highlighting one of the countless joys that we all experience at this time of the year. The decor within the White House includes a multitude of handmade decorations crafted from simple materials and accompanied by lush wreaths, candles, bows, topiaries, stars, lights and garland. Little more than yarn, recycled paper products and greenery were used.
As guests arrive to the East Wing, wreaths covered with glistening snowflakes line the walkway and old-fashioned lanterns and flickering candles light the way to the threshold of the residence.
The East Landing pays tribute to our Armed Forces and their families. The walls are filled with wreaths of red, white and blue yarn. Gold star ornaments decorated by Gold Star Family Members honor the fallen soldiers and complete the Christmas tree on the East Landing. Operation Honor Cards are displayed and guests are invited to fill out a card pledging community service in honor of the military families, service members and veterans. If they choose to customize the cards with notes of thanks, that will certainly brighten the spirits of those who sacrifice so much for our country.
For the young at heart, a visit to the East Garden Room is a must. As you enter, you are surrounded by vibrant colors and gingerbread wreaths. A life-size replica of Bo, the First Family’s Portuguese Water Dog, is the room’s centerpiece and handmade ‘BoFlakes’ hang off the trees.
Past First Ladies are felt in the Vermeil Room with an air of timeless elegance. Presents abound everywhere that you turn as a constant reminder of the fulfillment we experience when we give of ourselves to those around us. Given to the White House by philanthropist Margaret Thompson Biddle in 1958, the 1575 piece vermeil silver collection represents the spirit of generosity.
The Library opens up to all with holiday cards and notes from past administration. The cards are a sort of tradition.
In the China Room, the Truman China illustrates the joy of the family sitting down to a holiday dinner. This set was first selected by First Lady Bess Truman in 1951.
Visitors that come through the Entrance Hall and Cross Hall will be filled with good cheer and tidings as garland cascades down the Grand Staircase, greenery wraps the columns and wreaths adorn the windows overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue.
You will find a huge 300-pound gingerbread house in the State Dining Room and brightly colored stained glass covers the bay windows and seasonal garland frames George P.A. Healy’s famous portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.
A cranberry, pepperberry and billy ball flower-covered vase hold a festive floral arrangement in the Red Room. Lemon topiaries can be viewed around the room. The mantel is given an additional touch with a colorful garland of crimson cranberries and sunny lemons.
The Blue Room pays tribute to the courageous service of our armed forces as they continue to protect our nation. The official White House Christmas Tree – an enchanting 18′ 6″ Fraser Fir from Jefferson, North Carolina is trimmed with ornaments decorated by children living on U.S. Military bases around the world.
We reminisce about the chilly outdoors in The Green Room.
Our country’s proud artistic heritage is evoked in the East Room as American folk art is represented in every corner of the historic space from the handcrafted wooded ornaments on each of the trees to antique paintings and needlework on display.
Each and every room of the White House has its own holiday personality.
Over 85 volunteers from 39 states across the U.S. helped with the White House decorations. There are 54 live Christmas trees located on the visitor tour route. More than 175 pounds of gingerbread along with over 50 pounds of chocolate make up the enchanting gingerbread house. More than 40 “BoFlakes” ornaments can be spotted throughout the White House. Over 90,000 visitors will tour the White House during the 2012 holiday season. The snowflakes at the East Entrance are made out of lightweight laminate board. Volunteers clipped and wired small boxwood bundles, dipped them in floor wax to preserve the freshness and hot glued them to the frame. This took 25 volunteers 100 hours to complete. The East Entrance column is made up of 60,000 berries, 15,000 gold pinecone scales and 15,000 pieces of lemon leaf. The giant Bo topiary in Booksellers is made of 18,000 1″ black pom-poms and 2,000 white pom-poms. They are assembled to resemble Bo’s fur and this took one volunteer 85 hours to finish.
If you are looking for a new holiday baking idea here is one to try:
Holiday Crafts
? 1 cup turbinado sugar
? 6 tbsp White House honey (or any local honey)
? 3 tbsp light corn syrup
? 1 cup brewed strongly green tea (or any of your favorites)
? 2 tangerines, zest
? 1 tbsp peppermint flavor
? Cooking Spray
? Assorted Lollipop Mold Shapes (Snowflakes, Christmas Tree etc…)
? Lillipop Sticks
Method:
Combine the turbinado sugar, honey, corn syrup and steeped tea in a small saucepan. Fit a candy thermometer on the side. Cook on high heat. While cooking down the syrup, occasionally brush the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water. This helps prevent crystallization. Cook the mixture down until the temperature reaches 310 degrees.
For molding, spray the molds with a nonstick spray. Place the lollipop sticks into the mold. Remove the pot from the heat and cool down in an ice bath for a few seconds to stop cooking. Pour the syrup into the molds and cool for at least half an hour. Carefully unmold and set on a tray for decorating.
For the Candied Vegetables:
Using a mandolin, thinly slice carrots, beets, celery, fennel or any root vegetables.
Dip in a hot simple syrup for a few seconds and lay out singly on a parchment lined baking tray. Bake at 200 degrees for about an hour or until the vegetables are dry.
To assemble:
Using any frosting or a royal icing, stick these crisp candied vegetables into the honey pops to create a holiday treat.
?
Tired of the same old tree ornaments? Here is a fun idea:
Pomegranate Tree Ornaments Supplies:
? 1 pomegranate
? Glitter glue
? Holiday ribbon
Method:
1. Place pomegranate on a baking sheet and dry in the oven for 15 minutes at 190° F.
2. Remove pomegranate from oven and let cool.
3. Decorate pomegranate with glitter glue polka dots.
4. Tie a ribbon around the pomegranate and leave some long ends to tie a loop to hang on
the tree.
5. Pin a holiday decoration on top of the fruit – for example, a snowman, star, or dove.
The winter wonderland of the White House should put everyone in the holly jolly old St. Nick spirit of the holidays!
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images and Rachel Cooper of About.com
INFORMATION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS
Comments are closed.