Christmas Porch Black and White Decor
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Dreaming of a White (House) Christmas
No, that's not the White House. But it is the White House Gingerbread House—which lives inside the White House. And when WomansDay.com was invited to take a tour of the presidential home for the holidays, we couldn't refuse!
Pastry chefs and even electricians work tirelessly on this mini house in the days leading up to the holiday season each year. The 2012 version incorporates more than 175 pounds of gingerbread and modified gingerbread and more than 50 pounds of chocolate. And thanks to a mix of wheat, rye and white-flour gingerbread (and the White House pastry chef comparing pieces of bread to an unpainted part of the White House), the creation's color matches the original sandstone of the residence before it was painted white in 1798. For even more accuracy, there's a gum paste and marzipan version of the First Lady's garden and a Bo figure, to represent the Obama's beloved dog, made out of chocolate. Click through to see the other awe-inspiring Christmas decorations inside the White House.
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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Before we got a break from the chilly Washington, DC, weather, we marveled at the Christmas scene outside the entrance to the East Wing. Besides a decked-out bush and a requisite Christmas tree (one of many, many more), there were these impressive snowflakes, which took 100 hours for 25 volunteers to create!
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O Tannenbaum
Think it's tough to decorate the one Christmas tree in your home? The White House has 54 of them! And they're all a little different from each other, some with sparkly netting, others with pastel-colored ornaments. There are also four trees (one pictured here) that are tributes to the former First Ladies with original ornaments from their husbands' administrations.
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Bo-tiful Ornaments
The furriest member of the First Family, a Portugese water dog named Bo, is immortalized in many of the White House decorations. He has 40 ornaments dedicated to him, including the two you see here (can you spot the pooches?). But the most astounding tribute to Bo is in the East Garden Room. The fuzzy figure is made of 20,000 pom-poms and took 85 hours to create.
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The Official White House Tree
Move over, Rockefeller Center. This Frasier fir from Jefferson, NC, may not be as tall (though it's still towering at 18 feet, 6 inches), but it just may be more special. It's decorated to honor the service of military men and women—and the sacrifices their families make too. The tree, itself, beat out many others in a contest for the privilege of becoming the official White House Christmas Tree. It now stands in the Blue Room.
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Mail Call
What's a US mailbox doing in the middle of the White House? The administration is encouraging the 90,000 visitors that are coming during the holiday season to pledge their service to the troops and their families. For instance, guests who happen to be accountants can drop in a card saying they'll do a military family's taxes for free. As for the red bow, that's just to make it look festive.
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What a Natural
With so many decorations, it's important to the First Family to keep things as green as possible (especially in the Green Room!). That's why lots of spots are covered in earth-friendly items—some of which come directly from nature. The wood-paneled East Entrance columns, for example, use 60,000 berries, 15,000 gilded pinecone scales and 15,000 lemon-leaf pieces.
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The State Dining Room
This space is often used for formal seated dinners, but during the holidays, it's merry and bright. President Lincoln looks out onto the pink, green and gold ornaments around the fireplace and all over the room's two trees. Floral arrangements perk up the round tables where dignitaries the world over have been seated.
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The Red Room
Teeming with tradition, decorations in this crimson-colored space center around cranberries (the fruit's color is similar to the walls' hue) and lemons (the room was yellow before it was painted in 1845). Former First Lady Dolley Madison used to welcome visitors in the cheery sunflower-colored room. Now, there are lemon topiaries and a vase covered with cranberries in addition to the Christmas tree and mantel garland that incorporate the fruits. What a sweet change from typical holiday embellishments!
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The China Room
Although this gorgeous table is all set up for enjoying a meal, it's purely for decoration. The First Family never actually sits down for a holiday dinner in this festive space. But there's plenty that's presidential about the tableware. The dinner plates are from the Truman administration (it was the first state china to feature the 1945 redesign of the Presidential Coat of Arms). The glassware is from the Kennedy era. Many of the candlesticks are from the Eisenhower administration, and one is from 1791!
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Purple Power
Nearly every inch of the White House is festooned for the holidays, and each archway is decorated to reflect the décor of the room to which it leads. This spectacular purple-themed archway frames the East Garden Room. With lush, green lawns off to the left, the purple bows and ribbons really pop.
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The East Room Fireplace
This intricately decorated hearth is in a room that's usually used for parties and other large gatherings. In fact, five presidential daughters have been married there! President Obama also signed the Affordable Care Act in this space. The mantel of the room's fireplace features dozens of gilded pinecones, a rustic yet glamorous touch. The metallic deer add to the woodsy-turned-glitzy feel.
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The Nativity Scene
Across from the glittering fireplace is the true centerpiece of the East Room: the nativity scene. It's guarded by garland strung from poles so visitors don't disturb the sacred display. In other parts of the year, the gold-colored curtains remain closed.
Christmas Porch Black and White Decor
Source: https://www.womansday.com/home/decorating/g1013/white-house-christmas-decorations/