Majestic poinsettia trees graced the Cross Hall.  The White House’s 18th century nativity scene, a Christmas tradition since 1967, became the centerpiece of the East Room’s decorations.

Although public tours had been suspended in the months following 9/11 and were still restricted in 2002, Mrs. Bush ensured that citizens could still experience the holiday beauty of “The People’s Home” by creating a video of the decorations to be shown at the White House Visitors Center and inviting the press to tour the public areas.

For many Americans, the holiday season is filled with celebratory events – receptions, pageants, banquets, and parties – and holidays at the White House are no different (except they include a 150 pound gingerbread White House!)...

…with tiny marzipan presidential pets!

Between December 1 and December 31, 2002 the White House hosted almost 100 open houses and receptions, and three dinners.  Guests enjoyed the beautiful Christmas decorations, listened to holiday music performed by the Marine Band or guest choral groups, and perhaps ate a cookie baked in the White House kitchen.

Several classes of third graders even received a special reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by President and Mrs. Bush!

In 2002, the White House Christmas tree was an 18-foot tall Noble Fir from the Hedlund Christmas Farm in Elma, Washington.

Why an 18-foot tree?  The Blue Room tree is always between 18 and 18 ½ feet tall because the lights are powered by a cord that comes from the chandelier opening in the ceiling.  The tree has to reach the ceiling, but can be no higher!

The tree was decorated with red and gold balls, gold bead garland, and gold icicles.

Representing the “All Creatures Great and Small” theme, the tree also included over 300 native bird ornaments, handcrafted by artists and artisans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

Throughout their time in the White House, President and Mrs. Bush honored the diversity of cultures and the different faiths practiced in America.  In 2001, for the first time, the White House held a menorah lighting ceremony in the residence.

President and Mrs. Bush continued that tradition in 2002, inviting Jewish leaders along with White House staff members and their children to light the sixth candle of a brass menorah borrowed from the Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia.

In addition to sending many Christmas and Hanukkah greetings, President Bush also recognized Kwanzaa holiday traditions and delivered Eid Al Fitr holiday messages to the Islamic community.

As part of the “All Creatures Great and Small” theme of 2002, White House staffers painstakingly built and painted 25 papier-mâché sculptures of pets of America’s Presidents.

On the southeast mantel are three sheep brought to the White House by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I to keep the lawn of the White House neat and trim. President Wilson served from 1913 to 1921.

The animals included raccoons that were walked on leashes, sheep that grazed the White House lawn, and even an alligator that was kept in a White House bathtub!

These animals decorated mantels and tables throughout the White House.

The alligator, given to President John Quincy Adams by the Marquis de Lafayette, resided in a bathroom in the East Room for a time. President Adams served from 1825 to 1829.

Nelson, the steed that George Washington rode during the Revolutionary War, nobly wears the status of first horse. President Washington was our first president and served from 1789 to 1797.

The calico pony and bright blue and gold macaw are part of the menagerie belonging to the family of President Theodore Roosevelt. Algonquin, the pony, rode the White House elevator to visit the Roosevelt's son, Archie, while he was sick. The macaw, named Eli Yale, was one of the pets kept by the Roosevelt family. President Roosevelt served from 1901 to 1909.

Caroline Kennedy's dog, Pushinka ("fluffy" in Russian), a gift from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, is making friends with Laddie Boy, President Warren Harding's Airedale terrier. Laddie Boy sat in his own chair during cabinet meetings and once invited all the neighborhood dogs to his birthday party. President Harding served from 1921 to 1923.

Rob Roy is one of the white collies that belonged to our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace. Rob Roy came from a long line of sheep herding dogs and it took quite a bit of coaxing to get him to take his first ride up the elevator to the family floor of the White House. President Coolidge served from 1923 to 1929.

Rebecca and Reuben were pet racoons of President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace. Rebecca, who joined the family before Rueben, was a favorite. The racoons spent their evenings in an outdoor shed and occasionally roamed the White House during the day. President Coolidge served from 1923 to 1929.

President Lyndon Johnson's two famous beagles, Him and Her, loved to chase balls and race down the halls of the White House. President Johnson also had another dog named Yuki, who liked to perform in the Oval Office. Johnson's daughter Luci found Yuki at a Texas gas station. President Johnson served from 1963 to 1969.

Adorning the Entry Hall mantel are the pets of President George W. Bush and Laura Bush. The Bushes' cat, India "Willie" Bush, and Spot, their English Springer Spaniel, were part of the Bush pet clan for more than a decade. Barney Bush, a Scottish terrier, was a birthday gift from the President to Mrs. Bush in 2000.

Did you know . . . 
In 2002, Barney and Spot starred in Barney Cam, a Christmas tour of the White House from Barney’s perspective.  Barney Cam was an instant hit, getting 24 million hits the day it was launched, and became an annual holiday tradition. Check Out Barney Cam!