Christmas with the First Ladies: the White House Decorating Tradition

If the Obama White House had only a few Christmas decorations, we would never hear the end of it from the nutcases who think the First Family hates God and America all that is good and decent in this world.


But right-wing pundit Andrew Malcolm, who spends most of his waking hours thinking of things he doesn’t like about the president, is out with a unique complaint. He says the White House is decked out with too much Christmas stuff.


One can sense the sneer with which Malcolm writes that Michelle Obama “said the massive holiday displays in her White House are designed to make others feel better, especially military families.


Coleen Christian Burke, author of Christmas with the First Ladies, will join us for alook at the holiday magic that happens at the White House.


Christmas with the First Ladiescaptures the Christmas decorating history and techniques from Jackie Kennedy through Michelle Obama. Each first lady’s design aesthetic is profiled, such as Lady Bird Johnson’s themes of home and family to help heal the nation after John F. Kennedy’s death; Nancy Reagan’s interest in renewing a child-like sense of wonder; and Laura Bush’s “Red, White, and Blue “ Christmas for a nation banding together.
The book also features anecdotes and intimate photos of the presidential families during the holiday season, as well as personal crafts and recipes used by the first ladies.