thing im wondering about..

[bambii]

watching the white house christmas and wondering do you think they bring there own tree and decorated it with hallmark type decorations? wondering can they go raid the ref.. at night like the rest of us

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm sure they've brought their own Christmas traditions, especially since they have young children.

They have a complete kitchen that's theirs up in the apartment, so if they want to raid something at night they can use that.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

While Christmas in Washington aired, HGTV had a Christmas at the White House special, which showed how this year's theme (reflect, rejoice, renew) was chosen my Mrs Obama and how all of the trees' and rooms' decorations were selected. I was flipping back and forth and mostly missed the special concert (in Washington telecast).

 

[apirateslifeforme]

A florist here in CT does their decorations...she did the flowers for my wedding back in 1998:

http://www.courant.com/features/home-garden/hc-holiday-flowers-1218.artdec18,0,4641805.story

 

[disney1990]

I am quite sure that the Presidential families have a "personal" Christmas tree upstairs in the private quarters. Everything downstairs is for show.

 

[ekball]

You know what I was thinking as I was watching that HGTV special?! I was thinking about how much money they must have spent on all of those unbelievable trees, garlands, floral arrangements, etc. And more importantly, how that money could have gone to something much more important than decking the halls of the White House. I don't understand the opulance of such decorations while our country is in the state it is in. Gorgeous as they were, I thought the decorations were somewhat shameful.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

You know what I was thinking as I was watching that HGTV special?! I was thinking about how much money they must have spent on all of those unbelievable trees, garlands, floral arrangements, etc. And more importantly, how that money could have gone to something much more important than decking the halls of the White House. I don't understand the opulance of such decorations while our country is in the state it is in. Gorgeous as they were, I thought the decorations were somewhat shameful.

I think the tree in the green room(?), the room where the First Ladies' portraits are hung, has ornaments that have been passed on to each presidency.

Also, the the one tree has recycled ornaments. They were distributed to folks around the country to be redecorated for this year's tree.

Aren't the trees donated by the tree farms?

 

[akhenaten]

You know what I was thinking as I was watching that HGTV special?! I was thinking about how much money they must have spent on all of those unbelievable trees, garlands, floral arrangements, etc. And more importantly, how that money could have gone to something much more important than decking the halls of the White House. I don't understand the opulance of such decorations while our country is in the state it is in. Gorgeous as they were, I thought the decorations were somewhat shameful.

I think they are beautiful and appropriate!

It is our nations capital and represents all of us... it needs to be a thing of beauty.

If humankind waited for perfection(peace and plenty for all) before we created beautiful things... there would be no beauty or art in the world!

 

[wdwfan16]

I expect the tree in their private residence is their tree with their ornaments. I would suspect the tree to be a donation.

 

[BelleWDW]

A florist here in CT does their decorations...she did the flowers for my wedding back in 1998:

http://www.courant.com/features/home-garden/hc-holiday-flowers-1218.artdec18,0,4641805.story

Ive seen this special every year. The White House has a complete Floral staff-that is who does ALL the decorations there.

 

[ekball]

I think they are beautiful and appropriate!

It is our nations capital and represents all of us... it needs to be a thing of beauty.

If humankind waited for perfection(peace and plenty for all) before we created beautiful things... there would be no beauty or art in the world!

I'm all for beauty, and I'm happy they recycle the ornaments, and I totally get that it needs to be a thing of beauty, a symbol of our great and prosperous (?) nation. That said, the opulence of the sheer volume of the floral arrangements was ridiculous. I'm not saying that they should find the saddest little Charlie Brown tree, but seriously - perhaps the floral arrangements could be toned down just a wee bit in light of our current economic conditions. The beauty and history of the building and decor alone are grand, gorgeous and special. JMHO of course.

 

[tar heel]

The tree farm next door to my parents' house has done the official White House tree. They also took a smaller tree for the Presidents' residence. I assume that is the way it is typically done.

 

[Acklander]

I'm all for beauty, and I'm happy they recycle the ornaments, and I totally get that it needs to be a thing of beauty, a symbol of our great and prosperous (?) nation. That said, the opulence of the sheer volume of the floral arrangements was ridiculous. I'm not saying that they should find the saddest little Charlie Brown tree, but seriously - perhaps the floral arrangements could be toned down just a wee bit in light of our current economic conditions. The beauty and history of the building and decor alone are grand, gorgeous and special. JMHO of course.

The stuff that's all for show for the public comes out of the budget for maintaining the white house and all the traditions that go along with it.... I'm sure, in these economic times it would be cheaper to serve PBJ's and twinkies when dignitaries from other countries visit, but protocol dictates something a little more formal. Same on the holiday decorations.
The stuff in the private quarters for the president and his family is paid for out of their personal funds down to the TP in the bathrooms. (I learned this when reading the book on Nancy Reagan. From what I understand she was quite upset that stuff wasn't provided from the White House budget, but it always has been and always will be considered personal expenses to be paid for by the President).