The White House decorated for the holidays (White House)
No home in America celebrates the holidays quite like the White House, and behind each annual celebration is a first lady who lends her own distinctive style to the festivities. Coleen Christian Burke, a professional decorator who was a 2014 White House design partner, surveys the signature holiday decorating approaches of modern residents from Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump.
Drawing from her own experience and her book Christmas with the First Ladies, Christian Burke reveals how White House decorating themes are developed, how the White House functions during the holidays as both a private home and public space, and shares favorite first-family memories of Christmas in America's most famous home.
Learn how the annual gingerbread house grew into the imposing confection it is today; how pets from Socks and Buddy Clinton to Barney Bush and Bo and Sunny Obama influenced holiday decor; and what it takes to plan and implement a White House holiday theme, such as A Children’s Winter Wonderland in 2014. Christian Burke offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the evolution of that project, which included 57 trees, multiple 20-foot arches, and a specially designed floor treatment in the State Dining Room.
Finally, she demonstrates how to make candy-cane centerpieces favored by Laura Bush, followed by a discussion of the role crafts have played in the White House seasonal décor. See samples of hand-made decorations including Lady Bird Johnson's wildflower ornaments, Rosalynn Carter's birthday-hat ornaments, and Michelle Obama's gingerbread figures.
Delicious treats add to the holiday atmosphere.
