The Blue Room has long been the location of the official White House Christmas Tree. Ed and Cindy Hedlund and their son Thomas, of Hedlund Christmas Farm in Elma, Washington, presented this year's 18-foot noble fir to President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush
On the southeast mantel are three sheep brought to the White House by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I to keep the lawn of the White House neat and trim. President Wilson served from 1913 to 1921.
Entrances to both the East Room and the State Dining Room from the Cross Hall are surrounded by garlands full of large pine cones, red glass balls, red icicles and red pepper berries
2003 Holiday Theme was "A Season of Stories" unfortunately I cannot find any photos from that year.
I did find the following information though
WHITE HOUSE Holiday 2003 Statistics
Volunteers 45
Garland 660 feet
Christmas Trees 19 trees
Poinsettia Trees 5 trees
Wreaths 245
Bows 251
Lights 70,000 total throughout complex
Blue Room Tree
Lights 13,500
Balls 675
Literary ornaments 80
Letters 62
Books under tree 350
Nutcrackers 4 (12' tall)
Antique Sleighs 2
Mache Storybook Figures 43 (see below for placement detail)
GROUND FLOOR Lower Cross Hall (under Mrs. Barbara Bush's portrait) Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Suit
Lower Cross Hall (under Mrs. Carter's portrait) Clifford The Big Red Dog
Lower Cross Hall (under Mrs. Ford's portrait) Tikki Tikki Tembo
Lower Cross Hall (under Mrs. Wilson's portrait) Make Way for Ducklings
Lower Cross Hall (under Mrs. Eisenhower's portrait) Little House in the Big Woods
EAST ROOM Northwest Mantel Little Women
Northeast Mantel Frog & Toad
Southeast Mantel Harry Potter
Southwest Mantel Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew
Buffet Table Centerpiece Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (80 pounds of chocolate)
CROSS HALLS Pier Table outside of Usher's Office (under the portrait of FDR) The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Pier Table outside of East Room (under President Ford's portrait) The Cat in the Hat
FOYER Pier table beneath mirror The Polar Express
STATE DINING ROOM Buffet Table Alice in Wonderland
Eagle Table Gingerbread White House (80 pounds of gingerbread, 45 pounds of chocolate, 30 pounds of marzipan)
VISITOR CENTER Stuart Little Goodnight Moon Bunny
There are however several video links
Here is one featuring story readers from Barbra Bush to Karl Rove Click here
This link is a panoramic view of the decorations
Click here
The one photo I did find was the official White House Holiday Photo
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush pose for their official Christmas portrait in front of the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room, Dec. 7, 2003. This year's holiday theme at the White House celebrates children's storybook characters with, "A Season of Stories." More information about the theme and decorations can be viewed at www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/. White House photo by Eric Draper