One of the trees at the White House doors reflects off an Eat Room door while a servicemember watches visitors at the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
One of the trees at the White House doors reflects off an Eat Room door while a servicemember watches visitors at the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A re-purposed book hangs as an ornament in the East Room of the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Volunteers stand ready to welcome guests at the East Visitor Entrance of the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A Christmas tree near the entrance of the East Visitor Entrance of the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. The U.S. Dept. of The Treasury is reflected in the window. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A gold star hangs from the Gold Star Tree in an area of the White House dedicated to servicemembers and their families. The ceramic star ornament is signed by Gold Star families. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A gold star hangs from the Gold Star Tree in an area of the White House dedicated to servicemembers and their families. The ceramic star ornament is signed by Gold Star families. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
An oversized gift wrapped present sits in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Animated Sunny and Bo replica's are part of an interactive installation in the East Garden Room. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
One of two mannequins in the Vermeil Room of the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Hand-painted globes sit on a table at the center of the library at the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Maj. Stephanie Myers awaits guests during the press preview of the White House holiday decorations on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Maj. Stephanie Myers awaits guests during the press preview of the White House holiday decorations on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
The official White House Christmas tree stands at 18 feet inside the Blue Room. The theme of the tree is "America the Brave" and pays tribute to servicemembers. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Lt. Commander Kate Higgins-Bloom with the Coast Guard shows off a Navy ornament hanging on the official White House Christmas Tree on Dec. 3, 2014. Her husband, Lt. Commander Zach Bloom, is in the Navy. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Lt. John Thomas, right, and Capt. Adam Maddock, at the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A hallway in the White House is lightly decorated on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A close-up of a tree inside the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A close-up of a tree inside the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A clock mantel is seen in detail as a Christmas tree is reflected in the mirror at the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
The Red Room in the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Inside the White House on Dec. 3, 2014. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — ’Tis the season to be jolly, and the Obamas have decked the halls of the White House in celebration.
The garland and wreaths that adorn the White House are part of the theme, “A Children's Winter Wonderland.” But there is a wider theme, as well: military families. The Gold Star Tree at the East Entrance is dedicated to military members that have been killed in action. Ceramic star ornaments are signed by Gold Star families. A mailbox is located next to it for visitors to send greeting cards to servicemembers overseas.
Even the official White House tree in The Blue Room has drawings from children around the country with their support of the military.
More facts about the decorations at the White House:
Official White House Christmas Tree is 18 feet high, 12 feet wide There are 26 Christmas trees on the public tour route Approx. 250 pounds of Pastillage (a sugar-based dough), 40 pounds of Marzipan, 25 pounds of Gum paste, 80 pounds of gingerbread dough and 25 pounds of sugar where used in the gingerbread house in the State Dining Room More than one mile of knotted black and white ribbon were used to make the animated First Dogs Bo and Sunny Twenty of the 106 volunteers have connections to the militarytibbetts.meredith@stripes.com
