Page 32 - AT

A32 FEATURE
Wednesday 4 december 2019
Patriotism is the theme of Christmas

at the White House

The gingerbread White State Floor of the White
House, built from 200 House to put finishing touch-
pounds (90 kilograms) of es on the displays.
gingerbread and slathered More than 225 volunteers
in 25 pounds (11 kilograms) flew in from around the
of royal icing and 35 pounds country to help decorate
(16 kilograms) of chocolate, the White House during
showcases the South Por- Thanksgiving weekend.
tico, including a staircase Decorations in the public
made using angel hair, fet- areas of the White House
tucine and spaghetti. include 58 Christmas trees,
The popular display also more than 2,500 strands of
features models of some of light, more than 800 feet
the nation's most famous (244 meters) of garland and
landmarks, including Mount more than 15,000 bows.
The White House made of gingerbread also features landmarks Rushmore, St. Louis' Gate- At the Naval Observatory,
from around the country in the State Dinning Room during the 2019 way Arch, the Alamo, the more than 40 volunteers
Christmas preview at the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Liberty Bell and the Statue decorated Pence's resi-
Washington. of Liberty, along with the dence using 2,100 feet (640
Associated Press
Golden Gate Bridge and meters) of garland and
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE sake. "We hope you enjoy the Space Needle. white lights, more than 160
Associated Press our tribute to the traditions,
WASHINGTON (AP) — Me- customs and history that
lania Trump is celebrating make our nation great."
American patriotism at the The White House previewed
White House this Christmas, the decorations for jour-
incorporating red and blue nalists on Monday before
into the traditional holiday Trump and the first lady de-
green, adding a timeline of parted for London. Journal-
American design, innova- ists were also admitted to
tion and architecture and the grounds of the Naval
studding a Christmas tree Observatory, the official
with her family's annual or- residence for Vice President
nament, the American flag. Mike Pence and his wife,
The traditional gingerbread Karen, to see the Christmas The East Colonnade is decorated with a timeline of American design,
White House shares its stage decorations there. innovation and architecture during the 2019 Christmas preview at the
with American landmarks in- The East Colonnade of the White House, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington. This year's theme is,
cluding the Statue of Liberty White House is lined with "The Spirit of America." Associated Press
and Golden Gate Bridge. double rows of see-through
"It is with great joy that our panels etched with more
family welcomes you to the than 60 examples of Ameri- The Blue Room is again com- red velvet bows and seven
White House this holiday can design, innovation and manded by a towering tree, trees from a farm in Belvi-
season as we celebrate the architecture, ranging from a 18 ½-foot Douglas fir from dere, New Jersey, to create
the Woolworth Building in a Pennsylvania farm, deco- a Victorian-themed Christ-
New York City to the Space rated with flowers represent- mas. Eleven white stockings
Needle in Seattle. ing every state and territory. with red cuffs hang from
A tree dedicated to Gold The Red Room is decorated the fireplace mantle in the
Star families that lost an im- with games, including trees dining room: one each for
mediate relative during made of White House play- Pence and his wife, their
military service stands at the ing cards bearing the presi- three children, their daugh-
beginning of the hallway dent and first lady's signa- ter-in-law, two soon-to-be
while a tree decorated with tures. It's meant to highlight sons-in-law and pets Harley
the Trump family ornament her "Be Best" youth initiative (a dog), Hazel (a cat) and

The official White House Christmas tree is — an American flag this and serve as a reminder of Marlon Bundo (a rabbit).
decorated in the Blue Room seen through year — glistens at the end the kindness, respect and The Pences also have a
the Cross Hall, during the 2019 Christmas of the colonnade. teamwork needed to play 70-pound (32 kilogram)
preview at the White House, Monday, East Room decorations are together. gingerbread replica of
Dec. 2, 2019, in Washington. inspired by the U.S. flag and Mrs. Trump continued her their government-provided
Associated Press feature gilded eagle Christ- tradition of hanging wreaths home on display.
mas tree toppers, mirrored on the mansion's exterior Mrs. Pence, a watercolor
Spirit of America," President stars and red and blue rib- windows, 106 in all. artist, designed the family
Donald Trump, the first lady bons. In the State Dining Late Sunday, she teased her Christmas card showing the
and their son, Barron, say in Room, at the opposite end Twitter followers with a min- entrance to the house dec-
the signed introduction to of the hallway, the decor ute-long video sneak peek orated with garland and a
a souvenir book visitors will continues to showcase of some of the decorations red bow, and a wreath on
receive as a holiday keep- American design. as she walked through the the white front door.q