President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush stand on stage with various performers following the 2005 Christmas Pageant of Peace, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, on the Ellipse in Washington. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce with more than 25,000 sparkling clear lights and 105 custom-made snowflake ornaments, marks the official beginning of the holiday season.
Merlin Olsen, dressed as Santa Claus, arrives on stage to participate in the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington.
President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, along with, right to left, sisters Jenna, 8, Melissa, 11, and Jackie Kantor, 14, participate in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree during the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington, D.C.
The National Christmas Tree is lit during the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington, D.C.
The National Christmas Tree is seen in front of the White House following its lighting during the 2005 Christmas Pageant of Peace, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce with more than 25,000 sparkling clear lights and 105 custom-made snowflake ornaments, marks the official beginning of the holiday season.
First lady Laura Bush, standing at far right, is on hand to take delivery of the official White House Christmas tree from North Carolina family tree growers, from left, Buddy, Margaret, Earl and Betsy Deal, on Nov. 28, 2005.
First lady Laura Bush shows CBS News White House correspondent Bill Plante the fully decorated tree, which is festooned with real red roses, on Nov. 30, 2005.
Mrs. Bush explained that the theme for the White House decorations this year is "All Things Bright and Beautiful," and the goal was to use fresh and natural decorations with simplicity.
Mrs. Bush also showed this year's White House Christmas card, featuring an illustration by Jamie Wyeth depicting the presidential pets (Barney, Beasley and Kitty) outside the southern wing of the White House.
Here's a closer look at the Christmas brochure that is given to all White House visitors during the holiday season. Mrs. Bush told CBS' Bill Plante, "We expect about 45,000 people on White House tours over the Christmas holidays." The brochure is illustrated by Donna Green, who draws for children's books.
The official White House Christmas tree arrives Nov. 28, 2005, at the North Portico of the White House. The 18 1/2-foot-tall Fraser Fir tree was to be placed in the Blue Room as the centerpiece of the White House Christmas decorations.
The official White House Christmas tree arrives bound in red twine Nov. 28, 2005 at the North Portico of the White House.
North Carolina tree growers Margaret Deal and her parents, Earl and Betsy Deal, present first lady Laura Bush with the official White House Christmas tree Nov. 28, 2005 at the North Portico of the White House.
First lady Laura Bush waits outside the White House to receive the official White House Christmas tree Nov. 28, 2005.
First lady Laura Bush receives the official White House Christmas tree from North Carolina tree growers Betsy and Earl Deal Nov. 28, 2005.
Two horses wearing Santa caps stand outside the North Portico of the White House after drawing the 2005 White House Christmas tree on a cart at the North Portico of the White House Nov. 28, 2005.
The official White House 2005 James A. Garfield Ornament hangs from a branch on the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005. With table centerpieces of fresh tangerines and lemon leaves, and Christmas trees decorated with real roses and lilacs, the White House is taking a fresh and natural approach to the 2005 holiday season.
First lady Laura Bush points out a centerpiece made of fresh tangerines and lemon leaves in the East Room of the White House Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005 during a tour of the holiday decorations.
First lady Laura Bush stands between paintings used for this year's Christmas card, at left, and the White House holiday program "All Things Bright and Beautiful," right, in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005. Mrs. Bush said a simpler approach to the decorations, holiday cuisine and the official Christmas card is meant to highlight the elegance of the official residence.
First lady Laura Bush, wearing a Carolina Herrera suit that she called "her new red suit" presents the White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005.