Accessibility links

Breaking News
USA

Obamas Welcome White House Christmas Tree


U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia welcome official White House Christmas tree, Washington, Nov. 29, 2013.
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia welcome official White House Christmas tree, Washington, Nov. 29, 2013.
First lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters welcomed the official White House Christmas tree on Friday — an 18.5-foot Douglas Fir donated by a Pennsylvania farmer.

The tree, which arrived on White House grounds by horse-drawn carriage, will be decorated and displayed in the Blue Room of the executive mansion.

"We are honored to have it. This is the best part of the holiday season, when our tree comes," the first lady said in a video posted on the White House website.

The family was accompanied by their two Portuguese water dogs — Bo and Sunny. Obama told Ladies' Home Journal they planned to dedicate this year's tree to military families.

"This year, we're going to decorate it with photos of military homecomings," she was quoted as saying. "We're also asking military families to share their traditions, and those will be reflected in the ornaments as well."

The tree was donated by Chris Botek, a second generation Christmas Tree Farmer from Lehighton, Pennsylvania.​
  • 16x9 Image

    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

XS
SM
MD
LG