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White House Holiday Details — 2000
TASTY FACTS:
- The White House pastry chefs will use approximately 500 pounds of
sugar, and 300 pounds of chocolate in their sweet creations throughout
the holidays.
- The gingerbread creation contains over 150 pounds of gingerbread;
over 25 pounds of marzipan; over 60 pounds of chocolate; and 15 pounds
of sugar.
- Approximately 12,000 pieces of shrimp and 285 gallons of eggnog
will be served at White House receptions during the holiday season.
VOLUNTEERS:
Eighty-one volunteers from across the nation donated their time and
talents to decorate the White House this holiday season. For many of
these volunteers, helping the White House prepare for Christmas has
become an annual tradition. More than 600 volunteers will assist with
tours and musical groups performing at the White House during the
holiday season.
NUMBER OF CHRISTMAS TREES:
| Inside the White House |
34 |
| Grounds |
10 |
| Total |
44 |
LENGTHS OF GARLAND:
Garland on grounds and in the White House: 1120 feet
NUMBER OF WREATHS:
324 including 1 large 20' wreath
NUMBER OF LIGHTS:
50,000 (including Blue Room Tree)
NUMBER OF BOWS: 1,071
NUMBER OF POINSETTIAS: 220 plants
ENTERTAINERS:
2,000 musicians from all over the country performing in the White
House during tours and receptions.
ORNAMENTS:
Ornaments were used from the past seven years.
BLUE ROOM TREE:
| Assorted Ornament |
900 |
| Light |
11,250 |
| State Balls (plus District of Columbia) |
51 |
| Glass Balls |
550 |
| TOTAL |
12,751 |
White House Display Information — 2000
Crèche
The beautiful antique crèche showcased in the East Room was a gift to
the White House by Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard of Nantucket,
Massachusetts in 1967 and has been displayed every year since its
presentation. This beautiful crèche was made in Naples, Italy in
the late 18th century. The original 47 baroque figures are carved
of wood and terra cotta. To ensure that future generations enjoy
this exquisite gift, a new setting inspired by the Neapolitan displays
in the Baroque period was created in 1999.
Blue Room Tree Skirt
This skirt was made by representatives from each of the 50 states,
occupied territories and possessions. An individual artisan designed
and made by hand a piece of the green velvet skirt, which drapes the
base of the tree. Symbolizing the state in which each artist lives,
there are apple blossoms from Arkansas, buckeyes from Ohio and marine
life from Florida, to name a few.
Kissing Balls in the Grand Foyer
Each holiday season since 1995, master needlepoint artist, Hyla Hurley
of Washington, D.C., has created a needlepoint kissing ball to hang in
the Grand Foyer. This year's large kissing ball, by Hyla Hurley and
Gail Hendrix, encompasses all seven past themes. The previous "kissing
balls" can be seen on board Santa's sleigh in the East Entrance of the
White House.
Oval Office
The Oval Office contains a tree decorated with ornaments made by 140
students from Project Northstar, an organization of young multi-racial
community leaders who work with Washington's homeless and formerly
homeless children in one-on-one tutoring sessions, designed to promote
literacy and strengthen basic academic skills to children. Volunteers
from the White House serve as tutors.
West Wing Lobby
Two Menorahs from 1997 and 1999 are highlighted in the West Wing
Lobby. Displayed in the West Wing Lobby are the menorah presented by
metal sculptor Mayrim Baram in 1997, and the historic Breed Street
Shul menorah designed and crafted by Marlene Zimmerman in 1999. The
menorahs will be lit each night of the eight-day celebration of
Hanukah.
Monroe Plateau
One of the most significant pieces in the White House collection, on
display in the State Dining Room, is a gilded bronze plateau purchased
from France in 1817 by President Monroe. Although pieces of it have
been proudly displayed on holiday tables ever since, this is the first
time in 100 years that the plateau has been displayed in its entirety.
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