Behind the scenes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...The members of the media on hand to cover First Lady Michelle Obama's holiday decorations preview event on Wednesday were stepping over boxes of un-used ribbons and ornaments, which were dropped off outside the James Brady press briefing room. Above: These boxes had decorations for the Blue Room, which holds the Official White House Christmas Tree, and for the Cross Hall, the long hallway that runs along the State Floor.
About 100 volunteers from every state in the US worked to make the White House an elegant holiday showcase for Mrs. Obama's "Shine, Give, Share" theme, which honors military families.
Like most Americans, the White House recycles its ornaments and decor elements from year to year and from event to event, and while the stuff was carefully labeled, it was in all kinds of odd boxes, including a box that read "apples" and one that read "granola." Above, a box of ribbons for the Yellow Oval Room.*Photo by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama