{christmas at the white house}

While Nashville is the place that my husband and I have chosen to build and raise our family, a part of my will always call Washington D.C. home. Having been born and raised in the greater D.C. area, touring the city decked out in holiday cheer, was always a part of our Christmas traditions. While we don't always make it "home" for Christmas, this year we will be celebrating just outside the nation's capital.

There is so much to see in Washington at Christmastime, but the White House decor is the talk of the town. I recently came across a new book "Christmas at the White House"by Jennifer Pickens which beautifully documents Christmas celebrations, decorations and traditions at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue through the years. This book is a must read for anyone who loves the White House or Christmas decor.

Christmas at the White House has been an extravagant affair for quite some time. First lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of a theme for White House decor in 1961 when she trimmed the Blue Room Tree in a "Nutcracker Suite" theme.

{Caroline Kennedy checking out the tree's decor before a party at the White House}

{an illustration of the blue room at Christmas by Jacqueline Kennedy}

The Blue Room Christmas tree is always a delivered ceremoniously by horse and cart and presented to the first lady in a ceremony on the North Portico.

This year, the Obama's tree, is lit with environmentally friendly LED lights and decorated with "recycled" ornaments from presidents past.

Interior illustrations of the White House decked out in holiday finery has been a popular theme for Presidential holiday cards throughout the years. Legendary designer Mark Hampton created this lovely illustration of the Green Room for the Ronald and Nancy Reagan's Christmas card in 1983.

{illustrated holiday card from the Johnson Administration, 1967}

{Reagan Administration Christmas Card 1985}

{images - 1,2,4 via christmas at the white house; 3- via jfk library; 5 & 8 - via stylecourt; all others via white house association}