
I recently watched White House Christmas 2012 on HGTV. The special highlights the transformation the White House goes through in just a few short days as hundreds of volunteers decorate each room top to bottom with carefully planned out Christmas decorations. The special also highlights the Vice President’s residence as it undergoes a “Christmas transformation”.
The theme this year is “Joy To All”.
As each room was shown there were two trees that especially caught my eye, the Joining Forces Tree and the Gold Star Family Tree.
According to the White House blog, “The very first tree visitors see as they enter the White House is the Gold Star Family tree. Standing in the East Landing, the tree is brightly decorated with special Gold Star ornaments bearing the names of some of America’s greatest heroes—those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
Any Gold Star family who visits the White House is invited to decorate their own ornament to honor their loved one.
All visitors at the White House this holiday season will have the opportunity to fill out Operation Honor Cards, pledging to serve their community in honor of our military families, service members, and veterans. In addition, the Blue Room has a very special “Joining Forces” tree covered with hand-decorated ornaments made by military children living on U.S. bases around the world as a way to honor their parents’ commitment to serve. The Ornament can be downloaded here. The HGTV special did a great job highlighting some of the ornaments sent in by these military children.
Have you ever visited the White House during Christmas?
I have never visited, but have added this to my bucket list!
Related links:
Holidays at the White House 2012: The Gold Star Family Tree
White House Christmas – HGTV – Photo Gallery
