White House Christmas Starts in July

First ladies get a bit of a throbbing lump in the stomach around this time of year. The rest of the East Wing Staff in the first year look at each other askance as they discuss Holiday Greeting Card themes, who gets a card, then start looking at the Holiday Party Schedule on top of their day to day activities. A theme ties all of the decor together and it has to be chosen early. President & Rosalynn Carter sent out over 60,000 cards and the numbers have only increased since the 1970's.The Obamas choice is a closely guarded secret. For Laura Bush's last year she chose a Red, White & Blue holiday theme. Sometimes events inspire the cards, as the tragic circumstances of 9/11 had Laura Bush select a scene for her first card featuring a Psalm and the hall from the residence in the White House. Laura Bush's choice of a deeply Christian message in the 2007 card caused some controversy. (2001 Christmas Card from the George & Laura Bush)

Many of the most magical scenes and beautiful times at America's First House begin right after the president pardons a huge turkey in the Rose Garden. The first lady dresses up, not too much, after our national day of giving thanks and stands in the driveway to receive a Christmas or Holiday tree that goes into the Blue Room because its the official one. Next, the family scampers off for a couple of days while hordes of pre-screened festive volunteers turn into White House elves with direction from the Ushers office and decorate more than a dozen trees, the State Rooms, the Truman Balcony placing garland, ribbons and bells everywhere. Pat Nixon resuscitated the use of wreaths as decorations for the Holidays.

Bo's curiosity is going to be quite hard to control. It's almost a sure bet that when President Obama lights the National Christmas tree, which is seen from The Washington Monument and the Truman Balcony, that it will be Sasha pushing the button.

(The stately tree arrives trussed up on a holiday style sleigh ususally led by horses, I think Clydesdales.)

The selection of the tree is political. From which state does it originate (can't have one state furnish the tree year after year complete with much care to ensure it is not an old-growth tree. Like a sports team, the trees are scouted for height (usually 20 feet tall), color suitability and the density of its branches to take the weight of lights and many handcrafted and heirloom ornaments sent to the White House for just this holiday. Mamie Eisenhower decorated 27 trees in 1958. Jackie Kennedy introduced the idea of theming the decorations. For the Carters last year in 1980, it was a Victorian Christmas. In 1994, Hillary Clinton had great fun with the Twelve Days of Christmas. A catalog of each of the ornaments must be made. But the incredible dinners, bountiful buffets and cookies need planning as well. The tremendous amount of floral work need careful scheduling as the refrigerated room to keep blooms fresh is rather small. Add to the fact that the Chief Floral Designer, Nancy Clarke, retired her pruning shears in May, brings more tension to this first Holiday. If asked, many retirees with special skills return to help out during this time.

The Cross Hall glammed up for the 2008 Red White & Blue theme. The door with the seal above it is the blue room where the majesty of the official tree reigns. Photo courtesy the White House

For under $17, excluding shipping, the official 2009 ornament will be sold exclusively via the White House Historical Association. Grover Cleveland is the object of this years version. President & Mrs. Frances Cleveland had toddlers in the White House for his second term. Snow capped rolling lawn with frosted trees gazing at the majestic South portico is the view on the ornament from an eastern angle. Margaret Huddy is the watercolor painter chosen to render the images. This is the second ornament to feature the nineteenth century during the Clevelands terms in office. President & Mrs. Reagan did a modest engraved gold angel blowing a trumpet in 1981. That marked the first time ornaments were offered to support the WHHA. The ornament selected is always featured on the tree in the Blue Room.

Christmas parties are traditional for staff, Congress, the press and family among meeting diplomats and other soirées. Tours go up as the rooms are filled with elaborate gingerbread houses and holiday treats. As this year will be the first for the Obamas in the grand old house, planning the first one is a full time event. There is no question that it will get lavish press attention and television time as well. Sasha & Malia have already put sleds to good use on the South Lawn, but this year will see their imprint on the decorating. It's all in the planning and the volunteer elf army.

Update: Michelle's First White House Christmas Tree - it explains the selection process and shows other First Lady's Christmas trees.

Ohana Luau at The White House, Aloha!

Barack Obama & daughters enjoying shave ice in 2008 on vacation with friends in Hawaii

Ohana is famous to most people from Disney's Lilo & Stitch. The word means family. The families of the Obama Administration along with Congressional pals, partners and little people are invited to enjoy a pre-Independence day celebration with the Obama Family.

Update here is stage being set photo courtesy CBS.  Everyone will get a lei and there is a dunk tank for Charity too.

UPdate 2:  from the actual event

Bo got to come with his sporty leash sans lei - he already had one at his first visit to meet the folks.

Presidential Dad & Sasha delivered a dunking to the White House Chief of Staff as well.

Hawaii is the fiftieth state, coming to the stars and stripes officially in August of 1959. On August 4th, 1961, a bi-racial baby was born on the island of Oahu, in Honolulu, that would grown up to be the president of the United States. Hawai'i's traditions of shave ice, body surfing, calmness and tropical "cool" with the shaka are part of the heritage. For the first president ever from the pineapple state, a luau is landing on the South Lawn. Historically there is nothing to compare it to for other first families. With abundant joy, the Reagans vacationed in Hawaii. Most presidents venture to the state to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial or as a pit stop on the way to Japan. (Photo of President & Nancy Reagan's enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific in Hawaii)

Thursday night is the big draw for the lu'au. Tihati Productions will provide some of the festive flaming entertainment in DC that they do in Hawaii for tourists anxious for poi, pineapple and a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth alongside the hula and the flames. For me its more a Euro style luau rather than the ones I have participated in with the cooking of the pig in a pit with my native Hawaiian neighbors. My youngest was born at the same hospital as the president, albeit quite a few years later. Now I see luau's again through the eyes of a mainlander as will the guests of the White House. (Tihati Productions Luau performance photo courtesy of Jay Metzger)

"The White House specifically wanted a Samoan knife twirler," she said. "Well, we will bring six fire-knife dancers, who will do a pyramid formation."

Tihati performances draw on the traditions of Hawai'i, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Maori New Zealand. To fill out the cast for this special performance, the Thompsons raided Tihati productions at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Hyatt Regency Maui, the Hyatt Regency Kaua'i and the Waikoloa Marriott.

Congressional picnics are an annual event meant to bring together a couple thousand people on the lawn right before the Fourth of July holiday. Food, music, and the ubiquitous red checkered tablecloth are the usual accoutrements. This is going to be quite different though familiar for those who on the Hawaii tourist circuit. Alan Wong is the Hawaii celebrity chef following last week's celebrity chef for the Father's Day Event, Bobby Flay, by providing meals with the foods and fusion arising from the islands. Macadamia nuts and corn on the cob will be side by side at the buffet picnic. Some of the ingredients will no doubt come from Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden as well. Yep, that means spam, in flagrante, too. (President Bush & Speaker Pelosi in 2007 at Congressional Picnic, photo courtesy AP)

(Mardi Gras was theme of the 2007 Congressional Picnic with formal hayrides offered to the guests by Harmon's Hayrides.)

In 210 years, the stately mansion at 1600 has witnessed many a new idea brought about by a toughtful first lady and her staff.

Note: Maureen's eyes have been particularly bad lately. We apologize for the lack of posts. She thinks she's on the mend finally and thanks everyone for their forbearance while health problems took precedence. She's working to gain a few pounds too!

Mahalo & Aloha!

Love in the East Wing & Paris

Amor. Je te adore. Je t'aime. In the City of Lights & Love - Paris no less. Who has time for romance working in a frenetic White House. The answer is tons of people both fictional and in real life across two centuries of time. Even presidents have found time to date and marry while in office in movies and most definitely in real life. The youngest first lady, Frances Folsom, was 21 years old when she married Grover Cleveland. The West Wing featured the rocky love affair between the chief of staffs of the president and the first lady finally resolving at the end of the West Wing television drama. Donna & Josh mixed roughhouse politics and being anxiety-ridden paramours.

Love in the White House an example from the latest lovebirds.

Congratulations to the White House's newest engaged press couple - the First lady's press secretary, Katie McCormick-Lelyveld and long time aide, Tommy Vietor, the President's assistant press secretary.

The first lady's press secretary received a jaw-dropping, bended-knee surprise wed-me please proposal at the Élysée American Embassy in France from the president's assistant press secretary. A confederacy of conspirators in both the East and West Wings made it happen using Malia & Sasha as the bait to get Katie McCormick-Lelyveld to get cracking on Friday as the message said they were ready to go to the Eiffel Tower now and she was not there. He better check that answer she gave when it quiets down as she was in a state of shock when she said YES. They will always have Paris! Meanwhile, the Obama Girls did actually make it to the Eiffel Tower.

All of the Obama ladies made the Eiffel Tower tour including Michelle's 13 year old niece and daughter of brother Craig, Leslie, and her mother Marian Robinson.

The City of Lights, one of my most favorite. Courtesy of National Geographic

The White House is the scene for many romances in real life, many casual acquaintances become life partners in the crucible that is a glammed-up government office building set amidst a rose-filled presidential park. With a broken engagement behind her and a love affair with George Hamilton, presidential daughter, Lynda Bird Johnson met a Marine captain, Charles Robb, and married him in the East Room at the White House. A beautiful June ceremony for another presidential daughter, Tricia Nixon, as she wed Ed Cox June 12, 1971 in a beautiful Rose Garden ceremony. Few remember, Doro Bush, the daughter of a president and sister of a future president married at a first-ever wedding ceremony at Camp David. For staff members there is the political odd couple of Clinton strategist James Carville managing a competing campaign and a love-war-love affair with George H.W. Bush's senior aide, Mary Matalin in the early 1990s. Another Obama deputy press secretary, Jen Psaki, was in her jammies when her fiancé proposed wedded bliss this year after setting the scene by whipping up dinner. (Engagement picture of Ed Cox & Tricia Nixon 1971)

A First Lady's Political Combat Unit

An East Wing's organizational structure tells much about the First Lady's operation, but not everything. Lucy Mercer was Eleanor Roosevelt's choice as a personal Social Secretary in 1913. It was Miss Mercer's ongoing intimate relationship FDR that makes the factual history books. In the 21st century, the media climate is a mite overheated in their obsession over celebrity infotainment news or anything that may remotely affect the president in order to make their deadlines and meet profit hopes. It is no surprise that the current East Wing Team, with one notable exception, prefers to do their work as mysterious and powerful Elves skilled at knife fighting behind the scenes. Mixing in photogenic Obamas with an engaged republic makes for hiring the best experienced staff with great political chops an imperative for a Harvard educated lawyer, Michelle Obama. One recent precedent is the straight up firing of Hillary's Clinton's choice as Executive Chef, Walter Scheib, by Mrs. Bush when she switched out Social Secretaries in preparation for a second term. It is definitely not all lace doilies and cut flowers in the East Wing - thank goodness. (Lucy Mercer circa 1915)

A year ago, Michelle Obama had a serious image problem. The Obama brain trust brought in hired guns to do jujitsu by placing her in situations that showcased her as feminine, not hard charging. The obvious subtlety became commonplace when the mainstream press finally noticed America's hearting of her following an appearance on ABC's The View in a dress that set off a shopping frenzy just as Italian Vogue launched its first ever edition featuring models only of African descent with that causing an American Conde Nast publishing train wreck as demand crushed supply. A perfect beautiful storm in the worlds of fashion and politics at the same time evoked more Camelot comparisons as it became quite noticeable a mystique was forming around the future First Family, especially after the first night of the August DNC convention with a great speech and two little girls charming an American audience of tens of millions.

The best first ladies are able to meet the demands of the volunteer role while aligning with the times and circumstances in which they live. Powerful folks behind the scenes in the East Wing make magical things happen. Letitia Baldridge as Social Secretary for the Kennedy's helped define a political and cultural brand that endures almost fifty years later. Mrs. Baldridge was in the midst of the Camelot Court, but not a central focus with klieg lights turned on her.

Mrs. Obama has yet to give an official press conference. She retains control of every aspect of the Obama Family brand. Undeterred, The Washington Post brought back their style reporter, Robin Givhan, to cover the blooming first lady beat in the midst of cutbacks at the media conglomerate. Handling the questions about Mrs. Obama is Press Secretary Katie McCormick Lelyveld (in car) with strategic advice from Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady, Camile Johnston (2nd from left). Chicagoan Katie has two years under her belt handling tough questions about Michelle Obama. She was a former Hillary Clinton intern working for Stephanie Cutter during senator Kerry's 2004 run. Californian Camille worked for Tipper Gore with a quick stint at WBBM in Chicago as a Communications Director and on to the LA Dodgers as a Senior Vice president before landing at 1600. Camille works alongside a deputy, Semonti Mustaphi.

Samantha Tubman at campaign event 2008, left - Melissa Winter, right

Not yet 30 years old, Samantha Tubman is the Assistant Social Secretary after serving on the much lauded Obama campaign advance team. Jackie Norris shared a van and conversation with Michelle Obama many times on lonely stretches of highways crisscrossing her adopted home state of Iowa throughout 2007. The former teacher is Mrs. Obama's Chief of Staff and has presidential political experience rooted in Al Gore's run at the White House. Melissa Winter, Ms. Norris's Deputy Chief of Staff presidential experience arises from being Joe Lieberman's 2004 Director of Scheduling before spending almost two years on the campaign trail with Michelle Obama. She is highly skilled in the ways and means of Washington DC and was Michelle Obama's first official hire. (Jackie Norris pictured, right)

Many of this First Lady's power brokers attend policy meetings and other discussions in the West Wing ensuring synergy and message control. A few report in a matrix fashion to the president and the first lady. These are just a few of the power brokers on the East Wing, with more to be named later, to put a name on the work product coming from the individuals making it the People's House.

However, the real power in the East Wing is neither a volunteer first lady nor its dedicated staff for this group. It's the grand lady who lives on the third floor of the White House residence that cares for her grandchildren who live downstairs.

Take Kid to Work Day: The Obama White House

Coming to work at the White House while a guest of your Mom or Dad is an interesting exercise.  Inside the Calligraphy Office, ensconced in the East Wing sits a young man, Rick (Richard) Muffler who visited with his father, John Muffler, the joyful guy who wound all the WH clocks for more than fifty years.  Even more amazing is that John Muffler's father was President Harding's chauffeur.  Third generation White House worker Rick was made an intern after visiting many years ago for two calligraphers who showed him the ropes - except he's left handed.  Left handed, indelible inks with no mistakes allowed is a scary proposition for somebody tasked with presidential invites, military commissions, state dinners and official proclamations or certificates.   He became quite good at it as the the only southpaw in the Calligraphy Office where everything is done by hand.   (photo courtesy Clinton Presidential Library)

(Photo courtesy Alex Wong/Getty)

First Lady Michelle Obama took questions from enterprising students today that commuted alongside their parents into work at the White House. The children of the First Family's secret service detail - uniformed plus the guys and gals with the ear plugs, the entire East Wing staff of engineers, butlers, housekeepers and florists with the entire executive office's staffers were encouraged to bring their children to attend the day and spend time with FLOTUS in the East Room. 

Her endearing remarks referred to Bo waking the president and her up playing with a ball in the wee hours and nibbling on feet by day as "kind of crazy".   Michelle Obama sneaks out of the White house sans nosy reporters to have lunch with staffers at well known places where no one recognizes her.  Bo was spotted yesterday with the First Lady as she walked him in the chilly weather on the South Lawn.  The children attending the White House event ranged from 7 to 14 years of age.  One participant at the Take Your Child to Work Day at the White House was eight year old Maisy, the Bidens grandaughter. Michelle mentioned being very concerned about work life balance. She admitted the kids asked tough questions which she characterized as her very first official press conference.  (Photo Uniformed Secret Service at White House)

(Photo by Bill O'Leary/Post)

Her remarks were kind of fitting that she also stopped by the anachronistically entitled Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for John Berry's official swearing in as Personnel Wizard as part of the day's events while her husband was at the Holocaust Remembrance celebration in the Rotunda at the Capitol.  Sasha and Malia live over the entire workplace for both parents so they trudged off to Sidwell Friends leaving Mom to walk Bo yet again.

Michelle's Tab on the Entourage of Style

FLOTUS Michelle & FLOF Carla Bruni in the Rohan Palais in Strasbourg, France

A First Lady of the United States earns the same amount as a candy striper at a hospital - nothing. Not a hair out of place Upkeep and eyebrow Maintenance is quite expensive, borne straight from the presidential family's coffers. Just like each of their private meals; clothing, hair, make up and the rest of the daily living needs are purchased by the White House staff for the first family. The White House makes little bills that itemize all the stuff consumed in the private dining room of the residence or what was fixed for their guests as well as laundry services. It was well into the nineteenth century before laws were passed making the state occasions an expense of state. Presidents, Jefferson and Monroe had it rough. They lost their financial founding father shirts trying to entertain in Head of State style set by George W, the First President.

One of the funniest stories is of a son of President Ford's told a whopper about where he was going as his parents left for an official engagement. Instead, he brought the fellas over to the White House where pizzas with divine everything appeared with all manner of beverages. Next morning, Dad sees son and asked how was his evening out. Son: It was great. President: I know, I have the bill for it right here. Busted.

The White House does not hoard the bills, but ensures they are distributed in a timely manner. There are clear lines of legalese written in the Presidential Gifts Act, among others. That's why it was very carefully done how Bo Obama became the newest resident of the White House. All of his puppy paraphernalia is a direct expense. Clothing given to the first lady is very carefully accounted for as well. Just ask former First lady Nancy Reagan how much she still smarts over the questioning of how her gowns were purchased. Mrs. Obama has publicly stated she is picking up the purchase prices while telling her husband to stay out of her closet.

Clothing is one aspect that needs a full style framework. As a volunteer, Mrs. Obama does get professional staff for the management of the East Wing. Even with a full on cosmetics/beauty salon in the White House residence anybody doing the honors is paid by the family. Knowing that, it was the first time a First Lady picked up the airfare for both her man with the magical comb, Johnny Wright and a lady cosmetics guru, Ingrid grimes-Miles from Chicago station WGN to accompany her for a smashing European debut. They were part of her traveling entourage and just as important as the protocol official who gave her briefings aboard Air Force One. One little item Mrs. O is going to learn NOT to do while looking so fabulous is cross her legs. It hikes up her skirts, but more importantly both feet on the floor with knees and ankles together is old school classic. All in good time. She's got a terrific elegance with her hands. (Photo Grimes-Miles, traveling Make-up Aid)

Hair issues, especially for us ladies of color, rank at the top of being well dressed and making a statement. Her former Chicago stylist, Rhanni, had coiffed Michelle Obama since she was eighteen years old. Her new hair stylist just broke the thirty years on earth barrier not to long ago. Her hair will garner the same level of scrutiny that Hillary Clinton's did every time she changed the style, let alone when she finally had a three hanky burial for her headband. On the makeup or aesthetic side of things, Michelle had been accused of an angry countenance because of the sharp triangles of her plucked brows. On the campaign trail, there were days when Michelle gladly forwent makeup. During the summer of 2008, an Ebony stylist and her current hairstylist softened her appearance by rounding the edges. These things are expensive for a lady who is the Mom in Chief with a modern lifestyle. But goodness, First Lady upkeep is expensive.

First Lady Needs New Chief Florist

Beautiful flowers unfurl visual music all their own. Nancy Clarke, White House Chief Florist, has let her tremendous talent with flora and fauna sing to White House guests for the last six presidencies. Just in her early sixties after 31 years at the White House, one really important event she is looking forward to is the birth of her first grandchild. In May, she will officially retire, leaving the new First Lady and her staff to interview replacements. There are no shortage of high end DC floral designers eager to take up the challenge and try to fill the chic ceramic pots of their predecessor. (Nancy Clarke)

(Photo of President & Mrs.Carter at State Dinner for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.)
The Social Secretary is ultimately accountable for ensuring the mix of arrangements allows for a modern culture while honoring historic moments that blend contemporary and classical. One item noticed by the First Lady as she toured European palaces and historic residences last week were the floral arrangements and the bouquets she received. When Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II greeted President & Mrs. Obama in her private parlor, there was a simple and stunning spring arrangement of pink and white posies full to the brim on the side table beneath a master artwork. The First Family sees the little touches and warmth that floral arrangements make in the residence's formal and informal rooms. They have yet to experience the floral center pieces that burst forth augmenting the rare Monroe candelabras at State Dinners with a Head of State present. The Obamas had their first run through for a state dining occasion in February with US governors invited for the full treatment and dancing afterwards in the East Room with Earth, Wind & Fire. (Michelle Obama's first trip to the Residence are on November 10, 2008)

Chief florist is no small job as new arrangements need to daily freshen the entire White House and that includes all of the guest bathrooms as well as the Oval Office. In the background of many official White House photographs are testaments to Nancy Clarke's floral design experience from the Carters to the Obamas. The White House Christmas and Holiday decorations are spectacular. Thanks in no small ferns, due to the planning and resource management of the Chief Florist. The Florist Shop has huge needs with very little space, especially refrigeration capacity, as the displays are seen by all of the guests being entertained during high traffic times.(Bush 2007 State Dinner as selected by the First Lady)

Yes, with every new administration there is always turnover. First Lady Hillary Clinton sought a new White House Chef not long after coming to the White House. Laura Bush did not make wholesale changes to the East Wing until after her husband won a second term, then replacing the Executive Chef Hillary had selected, the talented Walter Scheib with a promotion to the current incumbent. Nancy Clarke has been there through it all and is ready to watch another do magic with the gossamer petals while paying close attention to the details of protocol and customs.

The State Dining Room during the Clinton Presidency

Job Well Done