For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
December 3, 2008

Fact Sheet: White House Holiday Decorations
"A Red, White and Blue Christmas"

This year's theme celebrates the patriotic spirit that unites us as Americans. During this hopeful season we are reminded of the blessings of the freedom that we enjoy, and we renew our sense of what is important in our lives.

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 CORRIDOR

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

CHRISTMAS CARD, HOLIDAY TOUR BOOKLET, AND HOLIDAY RECEPTION INVITATION ARTISTS

• Christmas Card Artist, T. Allen Lawson
• Holiday Tour Booklet Illustrator, Peter Catalanotto
• Holiday Reception Invitation Artist, Bagram Ibatoulline

FUN FACTS ON THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON AT THE WHITE HOUSE

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