Our journey begins at the East Entrance,
where Santa's bag is nestled aboard an antique sleigh, laden
with ornaments from the decorative themes of each delightful year.
Handcrafted angels, a partridge in a pear tree and historical dolls
spill from Santa's sleigh, while nutcrackers and snowmen stand guard.
Branches of a festive Christmas tree are trimmed with needlepoint
ornaments that have been carefully stitched with interpretations of
our past holiday themes. Some of the wonderful “kissing balls
” that have graced the Grand Foyer over the years — created
for the White House by master needlepoint artist Hyla Hurley and
painter Gail Hendrix — complete the bundle of treasures aboard
the sleigh.
 Continuing down the East Colonnade,
you will see holiday wreaths in the windows laced with white birch
branches, icicles and holly. In the center of each wreath hangs a
handcrafted ornament representing one of our holiday themes. Just
outside the colonnade windows is the Sculpture Garden, with features
a magnificent, one-of-a-kind glass sculpture that Seattle glass artist
Dale Chihuly created for the White House in commemoration of the new
millennium.
 The tree in the East Foyer boasts
miniature Santa suits tailored by well-known fashion designers and
toys handcrafted by wood artists from across our Nation. These clever
ornaments helped bring to life Santa's Workshop, which was our
holiday theme in 1997. Next to the tree is an exhibit of official
White House Christmas cards dating back to the Eisenhower
Administration. The display highlights Ray Ellis' original
watercolor, The Yellow Oval Room, First Family Residence, The White
House, 2000, which he created for our official holiday card. We
are pleaded to share with you a personal view of the President's
Residence, the last in a series of holiday renderings created by
American Artists: Neal Slavin, Thomas McKnight, Kay Jackson and Ray
Ellis.
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