Christmas Countdown: Dec 10: Ornament Collection

I do have one ornament collection and ironically it is one that I have never displayed. In 2005 when I went to Washington D.C. for President Bush's inauguration (in January), I discovered that the White House had its own ornament tradition and every year they released an official white house ornament hrough the White House Historical Association. Because of my interest in politics and the beauty of the ornaments, I started getting one each year (and even got past years through 2000). I love that each one is specially chosen and has a unique history to it. My idea is that one day when I have a bunch of them (maybe when I am Senator?) that I will have a White House themed tree and hang all the ornaments on it for display. In the meantime, each year I get my new ornament and add it to my collection and pull out the previous year's ornaments to admire in their velvet lined boxes...here are a few photos of what some of them look like.

2009 OrnamentDescription: The only president of the only president of the United States elected to two non-consecutive terms, GROVER CLEVELAND, served as the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and as the 2rth from 1893 to 1897. The 2009 White House Ornament commemorates the 24th presidency and it is the second of two produced in Cleveland's honor by the White House Historical Association. This second ornament illustrates the special place of the Christmas tree in the holiday celebrations of President Cleveland's young family. The central hologram depicts the south facade of the White House after an evening snowfall. The warm glow of the first Christmas tree to be illuminated by electric lights is seen through the tall windows of the second floor Oval Room beyond the center of the columned portico. This softly colored view is based on a modern watercolor rendition by Margaret Huddy, a Washington, D.C. based painter. The reverse side of the ornament recreates a scene from the tree-trimming parties of President and Mrs. Cleveland, which were held annually for their children and those of cabinet members. The words of a period newspaper report help to describe the president's delight in preparing Christmas day for his young family.

2004 Ornament (My first one)

Description: The 2004 WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT honors President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881) and recreates a snowy scene of a sleigh in winter on the North Lawn of the White House. President Hayes loved the season, and wintry weather invigorated him. He enjoyed taking his family and guests out on sleigh rides in the hills around Washington. Laughter, mingled with the jingling of sleigh bells, filled the crisp air of the White House grounds. The oval 3-dimensional ornament sets a nostalgic holiday mood within a 24-carat, gold-finished brass frame.

2000 OrnamentDescription: This special edition memento is made from stone from the same Aquia quarry used to construct the White House. The White House Historical Association brings this same stone to you in the form of intricately detailed reproductions of the White House's north and south facades, beautifully displayed in a stunning 24kt-gold-plated frame. The White House 200th anniversary ornament honors the past and welcomes America's future in the new century.