The "A Christmas Trip To The White House" Story

This booklet was given to all guests and tells you what
the decorations mean in each room of the White House.

It was an ordinary day.  Talking to my daughter Brynn about her recent trip to the White House to walk through the White House to see all the Christmas decorations.  Always wished I would have had a chance to see the White House at Christmas, but I guess hearing about it first-hand is the closest I will get to it.  One of Brynn's best friends and neighbors, Terri, lives a few doors from her in the Village of Urbana, Maryland.  Terri is the Assistant Director of Operations at the independent St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland where President Trump's youngest child, Barron, is a 6th grade student at the school which has 580 students in preschool through twelfth grade and was founded in 1978.  

Arriving at the White House in Wahington, D.C.

Barron's mother Melania invited all the teachers, adminis- trators and students to visit the White House and see the Christmas decora- tions.  Terri was able to invite a few friends to go with her so Brynn was off to the White House.  Before she could get into the place she had to provide them with her Social Security number and driver's license ahead of time.  On the date of arrival she had to go through a metal detector and once again show an identification.  Surprisingly she was able to take photographs of just about anything in the rooms she visited.  She emailed me the following photographs that I will in turn show you so you too can see how lavishly the decorations at the White House might be for Christmas.  Remember to click on the images to enlarge them.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Souvenir from the visit to the White House.

The Washington Monument can be seen through one of the windows of the Blue Room in the White House.

One of the decorated Christmas trees in the State Dining Room. 

Chandelier projected on the ceiling in the Grand Foyer.

Red berry trees in the East Colonnade. 

The Vermeil Room.

Decorations in the Library.

The East Room.  Notice the skyline reflected in the mirror from the other side of the room.

Green Room tree with pears, figs, artichokes, tomatoes and wheat.

Regionally themed ornaments in the East Room.

The Gold Star Tree which is the first tree you see in the East Wing when you enter.  It is for service members who have died at home and abroad.  There are iPads on stands where you could leave a message of joy, peace and inspiration for our troops.

Photo of my daughter Brynn as she entered the display.

The White House orchestra.

Greeting cards sent from the White House during Eisenhower's Administration.  Cards from all administrations were also shown. 

One of the state banners on the theme tree.

Looking through a window my daughter could see the soccer net set up for Barron on the White House grounds.

This is the White House and surrounding area done in gingerbread.  It is 225 pounds of gingerbread dough, 110 pounds of pistillate dough, 25 pounds of chocolate and 20 pounds of royal icing.  It is in the State Dining Room and made by the White House pastry team. 

From the left: Brynn, Terri and Shannon.