White House Christmas Joy to All

The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 is Joy to All celebrating the many joys of the holiday season. This years theme is a celebration of the traditional holiday festivities that 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. Joy to All Dcor Each room at the White House plays a role by highlighting one of the countless joys brought to all during the holidays. This years dcor includes a plethora of handmade decorations crafted from simple materials, as well as the staples: lush wreaths, candles, bows, topiaries, stars, lights, and garland. Many of the projects can be done at home using readily available materials such as yarn, recycled paper products, and greenery. East Visitor Entrance The entrance to the East Wing of the White House celebrates the joy of welcoming guests to the home. Wreaths covered with festive snowflakes line the walkway to the visitors entrance, while old-fashioned lanterns and flickering candles light the way to the threshold of the Residence. East Landing The East Landing pays tribute to our Armed Forces and their families. Wreaths crafted with red, white, and blue yarn adorn the walls. Gold Star ornaments decorated by Gold Star family members honor our fallen soldiers and complete the Christmas tree on the East Landing. Operation Honor Cards are displayed and guests are invited to take the time to fill out a card pledging community service in honor of our military families, service members, and veterans. Guests can also write a note of thanks to the brave men and women serving in our military, and are welcomed to send the spirit and joy of the holidays to those who sacrifice so much for our country. East Garden Room The East Garden Room is a childrens wonderland. The room is filled with vibrant colors and wreaths made of gingerbread. A life-size replica of Bo, the First Familys Portuguese Water Dog, is the centerpiece of the room, and handmade Boflakes hang from the trees. Vermeil Room The timeless elegance and grace of our Nations past First Ladies can be felt in the Vermeil Room, where we pause to celebrate the joy of giving. Lovely presents, large and small, wrapped with care, remind us 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 1,575-piece vermeil silver collection represents the spirit of generosity. Library The Library is decorated in classic red and green tones. On display are replicas of holiday cards and notes from past administrations. Sending warm tidings in the form of holiday cards is a long-standing American traditionone past Presidents and First Families have carried forward with their own distinct touches. China Room In the China Room, the Truman China is set to illustrate the joy of families sitting down to enjoy a holiday dinner. This set was selected by First Lady Bess Truman in 1951,

and is the first state china service to feature the Presidential Coat of Arms as redesigned by President Harry Truman in 1945. Entrance Hall and Cross Hall The North Entrance and Cross Hall create a warm atmosphere for White House visitors. Garland cascades down the Grand Staircase, greenery wraps the columns, and festive wreaths cover the windows overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue. This space is designed to celebrate and pay tribute to past White House holidays and the rich heritage of celebrations, traditions, and styles that have evolved over the years. The custom of selecting an official holiday theme began in the 1960s, when Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy created a Nutcrackerthemed Christmas for her daughter, Caroline. The tradition has been honored for over 50 years with such themes as Mrs. Lady Bird Johnsons Early America, Mrs. Patricia Nixons Season of Gold, Mrs. Betty Fords Homespun Christmas, Mrs. Rosalynn Carters Classic American Christmas, Mrs. Nancy Reagans Old Fashioned Christmas, Mrs. Barbara Bushs Christmas in Storyland, Mrs. Hillary Clintons Winter Wonderland, and Mrs. Laura Bushs Red, White, and Blue Christmas. This year, four trees are decorated with a collection of iconic ornaments that best represent the holiday legacies of these former First Ladies. State Dining Room The State Dining Room, a site for official dinners and diplomatic receptions, is filled with vibrant holiday tones. The nearly 300-pound gingerbread house on display is a favorite for children and parents alike, and has been a popular holiday tradition at the White House since the 1960s. Brightly colored stained glass covers the bay windows, and seasonal garland frames George P.A. Healys famous portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. Red Room In the early 19th century, First Lady Dolley Madison used this room to receive visitors during her famous Wednesday-evening receptions. In honor of its current red hue, the room is customarily decorated with cranberriesand the tradition continues this year with a cranberry, pepperberry, and billy ball flower-covered vase holding a festive floral arrangement. As a tribute to Mrs. Dolley Madison and the rooms former golden shade, lemon topiaries are on display to provide cheerful pops of yellow throughout the room. Christmas trees frame the space, and a colorful garland of crimson cranberries and sunny lemons adorns the mantel. Blue Room The history of our Nation has been shaped by the brave men and women who have devoted themselves to protecting our country. The troops, veterans, and military families who serve our country with pride represent what is best about America, and this holiday season, the Blue Room pays tribute to their courageous service. The official White House Christmas tree an enchanting 18-foot-6-inch Fraser Fir from Jefferson, North Carolinais trimmed with ornaments decorated by children living on U.S. Military bases all over the world. These one-ofa-kind ornaments honor their parents commitment to service. Green Room In the Green Room, wintertimes serene splendor surrounds us as we reflect on the joy of the winter garden. Miniature terrariums dangle from the trees and remind us of the beauty of the outdoors.

East Room Decorations evoking our countrys proud artistic heritage festoon the East Room, where we take time to marvel in the joy of American folk art. Over the course of our history, folk artisans have delighted Americans young and old with the scenes and stories depicted in their work. This year, creative traditions central to our cultural identity are represented in every corner of this historic spacefrom the handcrafted wooded ornaments on each of the trees to antique paintings and needlework on display.

Jennifer Cole, Holiday Volunteer and Military Spouse, will introduce Mrs. Obama at the Press Preview Jennifer was born in Hampton, Virginia to Maryann Smith Heck and Rhomie L. Heck, Jr. Her father was an Army Buck Sergeant in the transportation division during WWII. He served in the Philippines. Jennifers mother was a college administrator at Hampton University; she passed away in January 2002. Jennifer has 22 years of health care administration experience with leadership expertise in managed care, business development and client relationship management. She currently works as a Program Director at WellPoint. Jennifer is married to Don Cole, a retired Air Force colonel and medical service corps officer. Don and Jennifer have lived in seven locations during their 15-year marriage. Jennifer remained stateside during two of Dons overseas assignments: Yokota Air Base in Japan and Aviano Air Base in Italy. Jennifer served on the home front supporting many morale and welfare events for Dons unit, including childrens holiday parties; gathering items for care packages for his deployed troops; and having scrapbooking events for spouses she served alongside. Don retired from the Air Force in April, 2012 after 30 years of service. This is Jennifers first year volunteering at the White House this holiday season. She helped decorate the East Portico, the East Landing, and the North Portico. She also made ornaments for the military tree in the East Landing.

Joy to All by the Numbers Number of Holiday Volunteers from each state:

Arizona 1 California 6 Colorado 1 Connecticut 1 Delaware 1 DC 1 Florida 4 Georgia 2 Illinois 5 Indiana 1 Iowa 1 Kansas 1 Kentucky 2 Louisiana 1 Maine 1 Maryland 2 Massachusetts 2 Michigan 1 Minnesota 5 Missouri 1 Total 85

Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

1 1 1 1 1 6 2 2 4 1 2 1 1 2 11 1 1 5 1

The official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room is an 18-foot-6-inch Fraser fir from the Estes Familys Peak Farms in Jefferson, North Carolina, the winning tree farm of the National Christmas Tree Associations National Christmas Tree Contest. This year, 54 live Christmas trees are located along the visitor tour route. More than 175 pounds of gingerbread and modified gingerbread make up the White House Gingerbread House. With over 50 pounds of chocolate, the house weighs about 300 pounds. The combination of wheat, rye, and white-flour gingerbread mimics the color of the sandstone house prior to 1798, when the house was first painted white. There are more than 40 Bo-flake ornaments throughout the White House. 90,000 visitors are expected to 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. The project took approximately 25 volunteers a total of 100 hours to make. The berry, pinecone, and leaf designs of the East Entrance column covers took a team of 40+ volunteers over two months to make. The column covers were constructed over a plywood base using 60,000 berries, 15,000 gold pinecone scales, and 15,000 pieces of lemon leaf. The pattern forms a three-dimensional geometric motif of illusion cubes. The giant Bo topiary in Booksellers is made out of 18,000 one-inch black pom-poms and 2,000 white pom-poms. The pom-poms were strung on a single strand of yarn and then applied in an overlapping technique to resemble Bos fur. The Bo topiary took one volunteer approximately 85 hours to complete. The colorful iron arches in the Lower Cross Hall are covered with over 6,000 repurposed White House ornaments. The arches took a team of 12 volunteers a total of 350 hours to make.

Holiday Crafts White House Honey Tea Lollipops Makes 6 large lollipops or 12 small ones Ingredients: 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.

Pomegranate Tree Ornaments Supplies: 1 pomegranate Glitter glue Holiday ribbon

Method: 1. 2. 3. 4. Place pomegranate on a baking sheet and dry in the oven for 15 minutes at 190 F. Remove pomegranate from oven and let cool. Decorate pomegranate with glitter glue polka dots. 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.