It’s A Red White House

ABC News’ Erica Anderson Reports: Seventeen trees, 25 parties, 269 wreaths, 4,638 red ornament balls, 15,000 chocolate truffles, 20,000 Christmas cookies, and 45,000 guests…and that’s just a cursory glance at the trappings of the White House’s 2006 holiday season.

The planning that started last March has finally ended as the White House hosted its first round of holiday parties today. This year’s theme, following in tradition started by First Lady Jackie Kennedy in 1961 when she insisted that each holiday tree have a theme, is "Deck the Halls and Welcome All" and is largely based on the White House’s Red Room.

In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts this morning, First Lady Laura Bush recalled the history of celebrating the holiday’s in the White House’s Christmas Eve fire during the Hoover administration, "one man had to rush over and save a puppy that he was hiding there to give his son for Christmas," Mrs. Bush said in the dining room. The Bush’s enjoy some non-traditional dishes on Christmas; the First Lady says that tamales are a Christmas staple on their holiday menu. We certainly hope that such tradition isn’t repeated this year in the midst of cream gravy, chicken fried steak and chief chef Cris Comerford’s legendary sweet potato soufflé. When asked if diet and calories were considered in planning the holiday menu, Mrs. Bush responded with a chuckle: "Not at all. Not for the holiday season."

And on to the White House gingerbread house where former pastry chef, Roland Mesnier, was convinced to come back to build the lavish house for this season. With 800 snowflakes and White House pets, Barney and Miss Beazley, driving Santa’s sleigh it’s a charming holiday classic. Mrs. Bush admitted to even sneaking a taste of the delicious house: "It’s all real. It’s all edible. I actually had a piece of it."

While continuous public parties pose a potential cause of stress for the First Family, they still manage to personalize Christmas in the White House by decorating their own tree with personal ornaments dating back to the birth of their twin daughters and Southwestern fare on the holiday menu. On when the family opens their presents Mrs. Bush responded, "George’s family has a very strict rule that it’s Christmas Day. My family always opened on Christmas Eve. But he’s the president, so he gets his way on Christmas Day." It’s good to know the president gets his way at least one day a year.

As for your White House Christmas card…It’s in the mail.