On Tuesday, the White House welcomed military service members, their families, and media for an early look at this year’s holiday decorations.
Volunteers from 33 states, the District, and Puerto Rico worked over the Thanksgiving holiday to put up more than 70,000 ornaments. There are trees made out of pencils on a pedestal that reads “Let girls learn” in the library, garlands bedecked with faux fruits in the Green and Red rooms to celebrate the gift of fresh produce from the White House garden, Lego “gingerbread” houses representing every state and territory in the State Dining Room, and yarn models of the Obamas’ dogs that are taller than most people. After First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the military guests and encouraged tourists to “Come to the White House—it’s really cool!” she and the real First Dogs, Sunny and Bo, mingled with the guests while the kids decorated cookies and made other holiday crafts. Scroll down for more highlights.
Sydney is an editorial fellow at Washingtonian Magazine, where she writes about history, news, food, and events. A recent graduate of the College of William & Mary, she is interested in writing and videography. You can follow her on Twitter @sydneykmahan
Andrea is a fall 2016 editorial fellow at Washingtonian. She graduated from Columbia Journalism School in May and has written for Eater, Outside, and Vice. She lives in Bloomingdale.
