White House Christmases through the years

The official White House Christmas tree, the centerpiece of the Blue Room, is on display during the first viewing of the 2011 White House Christmas decorations Nov. 30, 2011, in Washington. Honoring Blue Star families, the 18-foot 6-inch balsam fir tree was decorated with framed military medals and handmade holiday cards created by military children living on installations around the world. The theme, "Shine Give, Share," ran throughout the White House with a 400-pound White House Gingerbread House and 37 Christmas trees.

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