First lady Melania Trump welcomed children to the White House on Nov. 27, and was mobbed with hugs from one group. A display of candy in the White House Red Room. (Scalzo/Epa-Efe/Rex/Shutterstock/Scalzo/European Pressphoto Agency-Efe/Rex/Shutterstock)In other ways, the White House celebration of the season is a continuation of age-old traditions. Beginning in the 20th century, Americans began to focus on the White House during the holidays, said Evan Phifer, a research historian at the White House Historical Association. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)“Things kept getting more and more elaborate with the pets,” said Laura Dowling, who served as the White House chief floral designer for six years and recently published “A White House Christmas.” For her last Christmas at the White House there were robotic versions of Bo and Sunny.

Source: Washington Post November 27, 2017 22:52 UTC