White House 2005 Holiday Theme Is "All Things Bright and Beautful"

White House ^ | November 30, 2005 | White Hosue

[ejdrapes]

White House 2005 Holiday Theme Is "All Things Bright and Beautful"

Mrs. Laura Bush announced "All Things Bright and Beautiful" as the theme for the 2005 holiday season at the White House today. This year's holiday decorations bring nature's beauty to the White House.

Simple, yet elegant, decorations highlight creations from the natural world. Fresh greens, fruit and flowers awaken the senses of smell, taste and sight. The color schemes of tangerine, lime green and hot pink boldly accent the traditional touches of the holiday decorations.

The official White House Christmas tree occupies most of the Blue Room. The 18 foot Fraser fir was grown by Earl and Betsy Deal and their children, Meg and Buddy, of Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Fresh white lilies, crystal garland and white lights adorn the White House Christmas Tree.

Each guest visiting the White House will receive a tour book illustrated by Donna Green from Cohasset Village, Massachusetts. The illustrations capture this year's theme by highlighting the colors and natural elements of this year's decorations.

The words of "All Things Bright and Beautiful" were adapted from Ce cil F. Al ex an der 's Hymns for Little Children.

Fact Sheet: White House Holiday Decorations

"All Things Bright and Beautiful"

Volunteers                                                                                      63
Garland                                                                                          580 feet
Christmas Trees                                                                             18 trees
Wreaths                                                                                          204
Christmas Cookies                                                                          30,000
Petit fors                                                                                         10,000
Truffles                                                                                            1,100
Sweet Potatoes                                                                               2,100 pounds
Guests touring the White House during the Holidays                      45,000
Guests attending receptions during the Holidays                            9,500
Countries receiving a Christmas Card from the White House          200

Christmas Card Artist Jamie Wyeth
Holiday Booklet Artist Donna Green

EAST WING

• Boxwood wreaths with lime and gold ribbons
• Myrtle topiary trees in the Colonnade with fragrant paperwhite narcissus planted at the base
• Large bay topiary tree with white lights, rich green pears and a partridge perched at the top

Lower Cross Hall:

• Paperwhites
• Animal-shaped, myrtle topiary trees on the pier tables are made of moss and ivy

Library:

• Traditional holiday greens garland with green pears
• A large container filled with orange-sherbet hued Rilona amaryllis on the center table

Vermeil Room:

• Garland of lemon greenery and lemons
• The center arrangement is of white tulips in a magnificent vermeil bowl.

STATE FLOOR

East Room:

• Boxwood window wreaths and doorway garlands with gold and lime ribbon.
• Hot pink rose topiaries in vermeil cache-pots, with ball topiaries and crystal candelabra.
• Lime green tablecloth with a matching overlay lined in hot pink tops the buffet table.
• Hot pink French tulips fill silver pedestals with collars of green pears
• The traditional crèche (circa 18th century Italy)
• Two trees with hot pink roses and white lights flank the cr che

Green Room:

• Garlands of greenery and limes drape the mantel
• Urns filled with greenery, limes and pineapples
• Peach tulips and amaryllis

Blue Room:

• The official White House Christmas Tree, an 18 foot Fraser fir from the Smokey Holler Tree Farm owned by Betsy and Earl Deal of Laurel Springs, North Carolina. The tree is decorated with fresh white lilies, crystal garland and white lights.

Red Room:

• Boxwood garland
• Cranberry tree
• White tulips and red berries

State Dining Room:

• Lime green tablecloth with an orange overlay and floral centerpiece on the buffet table.
• Topiaries in silver punch bowls, each five feet tall, made of alternating layers of lemon leaves and tangerines.
• Silver pedestal bowl with greens and pears
• Vermeil containers, echoing the vermeil sconces and chandelier, filled with orange French tulips.
• Boxwood garland intertwined with amber crystals, amber glass balls, and lights.

  Gingerbread White House

  • View of the North Portico

  • 100 pounds (34 sheets) of gingerbread

  • 150 pounds of white and dark chocolate

  • Clear, poured sugar windows

  • One strand of white lights inside the Gingerbread White House make it glow

Grand Foyer:

• Trees of white azaleas contrast with the hot pink and orange French tulips on the Cross Hall pier tables
• Boxwood garland with silver and gold crystals and amber glass balls drape the doorways.
• Silk garland tied with lime and gold ribbon drapes the Grand Staircase.
• Hot pink and orange French tulips in vermeil containers
• Garland of boxwood, apples, pomegranates and pears.

[elc]

Because they want to inlude hanukkah, also?

[Wolfstar]

Why is the White House joining the ATTACK ON CHRISTMAS???

Oh, puhleeese. You're comment is an example of over-the-top, hyper demagoguery we see far too often on FR these days.

"Holiday" is a perfectly legitimate term for the season and always has been. When it is used specifically as a substitute for Christmas, as in Holiday Tree vs. Christmas Tree, then it is stupid and destructive. However, when it is used in its traditional way to describe the season between Thanksgiving and New Year, then it is perfectly appropriate.

[churchillbuff]

when it is used in its traditional way to describe the season between Thanksgiving and New Year, then it is perfectly appropriate.""

But that's not how it is used. It's used as a PC substitute for "Christmas." Nobody says "Happy Holidays" after December 25 -- even though other "holidays" like Hanukka and "Kwanza" often are after Dec. 25 (as they will be this year.) "Holidays" is being foisted on us by liberals who want to censor the word Christmas out of our vocabulary.

[Antonello]

But that's not how it is used. It's used as a PC substitute for "Christmas."

I guess they missed the other 7 times they used the word 'Christmas' in this release.

[Siena Dreaming]

hyper demagoguery we see far too often on FR these days.

That's for sure. I am getting sick of it.

I have said "Happy Holidays" along with "Merry Christmas" my whole life. I like to say "Happy Holidays" once in awhile, especially because the season encompasses Thanksgiving and New Years as well.

I can't believe 91% of FR believes "Happy Holidays" should NEVER be used. I agree that the word "Christmas" is falling out of fashion in commerical circles and should be restored but "Happy Holiday" never used? Give me a break!

[ninergold3]

10,000 Petit Fors? That's about right for me, what are the rest of you going to eat???

*Just trying to lighten things up a bit. :)

[Wolfstar]

I'm glad someone agrees. FR, while still the best forum on the web in some ways, sure isn't as worthwhile as it used to be.

[jude24]

Why is the White House joining the ATTACK ON CHRISTMAS???

Because Christmas is not celebrated by several sizable minorities which have their own December holidays, such as Haunakah. The President is the President of the non-Christians too.

Which is easier? "Merry Christmas, Happy Haunakah, a Blessed Eid al-Adha" and whatever other December holidays the Bhuddists, Hindus and other groups have? Or is "Happy Holidays" easier, recognizing that Christians take that to mean Merry Christmas, Jews a HAppy Haunakah, and so forth.

For the love of all things sacred. The frantic persection rhetoric that Christians have is getting old. No one is attacking Christianity or Christmas - except the Grinch, and that's on TV.

[Wolfstar]

But that's not how it is used.

But that's not how it is used SOMETIMES, by SOME people. To say in a blanket statement that "holiday" is now used solely to censor "Christmas" is wrong and demagogic.

It is true that the Left wishes to censor everything to do with religion, and that they particuarly target Christianity in this country. However, it is also true that not everything has to do with politics. "Holiday," as in "holiday theme," "holiday spirit," "holiday season," etc., refers, as it always has, to the period between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

I wonder if many who inhabit FR these days are capable of holding both concepts in their heads at the same time, and reacting appropriately to both.

[churchillbuff]

To say in a blanket statement that "holiday" is now used solely to censor "Christmas" is wrong and demagogic. """

Sorry, but it's accurate. Does anyone say "Happy Holidays" after Dec. 25? I've never heard it. Starting on Dec 26, they say "Happy New Year". By the way, if "holidays" is meant as an all-inclusive term, and not as an exercise in PC censorship, to blot out the word "Christmas," why do people still say "Happy New Year"? New Year is a holiday too.

You're denying the obvious, and calling me a "demagogue," for pointing out the obvious. (You also don't know what the word demagogue means. I'm not a politician or someone trying to get the backing of crowds in order to gain power, so it doesn't apply to me; look the word up).

[retrokitten]

I'll fight ya for 'em.




Or I guess we could just split them. I'm sure around 1500 I'd pass out.

[retrokitten]

HGTV usually has a special about the making of the White House Christmas that is very good.

It's really neat to see how everything is made. I'm always shocked they get the gingerbread house and the chocolate sculpture in place without breaking.

[lugsoul]

"The President is the President of the non-Christians too."

Why? They ain't really 'muricans.

[KevinDavis]

I hope that was sarcasm..

[Corin Stormhands]

I can't believe 91% of FR believes "Happy Holidays" should NEVER be used. I agree that the word "Christmas" is falling out of fashion in commerical circles and should be restored but "Happy Holiday" never used? Give me a break!

FWIW, I think the poll is poorly worded. I don't have a problem with people saying "Happy Holidays" but I prefer and use "Merry Christmas." The poll doesn't really give an option for that.

[Corin Stormhands]

24 days until the airing of grievances ping...

[jude24]

A guy whose profile cites Bertrand Russell in his profile is probably sarcastic in saying that.

[ninergold3]

Well. . .OK, I'll share. But only because it's Christmas!