White House Christmas Tree Arrives by Wagon

An 18 1/2 -foot Christmas tree, pulled by a horse-drawn wagon, arrived at the north portico of the White House, marking the official start of holiday decorating at the executive mansion.

“They’ve already removed the chandelier, so this 18-foot tree will fit into the Blue Room,” First Lady Laura Bush said in receiving the noble fir tree from Washington state.

“Decorators are inside decorating right now as fast as they can,” she said. “They’ll continue to decorate, and they’ll be finished by Wednesday, which is the first party.”