The White House is, of course, home to the President as well as his family. They are part of a season-long whirlwind of events that bring Christmas to life. One of the most exciting events that kicks off the holiday season in Washington, D.C. is the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

The tradition of illuminating a tree at the White House began in 1923 with President Calvin Coolidge. It is tradition that a tree of great splendor be lit to begin the Christmas festivities not only in Washington, but around the country as well. Once the National tree has been lit, Americans feel that the Christmas season has really gotten started.

In 1978, the tree that is currently lit was brought in from York, Pennsylvania. It is a towering blue spruce that stands 40 feet tall. This tree stands on what is called the Ellipse, the grounds south of the White House. Along with the tree, the “Pathway to Peace” is also lit on the same night. This is a walkway lined with 56 smaller trees. The trees represent the 50 states, D.C. and the five U.S. territories. Although the location of the tree has been moved on and off the Ellipse, that is where the first tree stood and it is where it stands today. The national tree is for everyone in the nation, and this holiday gift towers over the area.

The ceremony, which is now called the Christmas Pageant of Peace is held in early December. The tree remains lit until January 1st. The ceremony is very popular and tickets to see it live are offered via lottery early in November. Famous names come to perform at the stage at the Ellipse. Volunteer acts perform every night through the season. So there’s always something to see.

The only years that did not see a lit tree were from 1942-1944. During World War II, the tree remained dark in observance of the war effort. In 1945, the tradition resumed to great fanfare. The darkness of the war was then over.

Different entities have been asked to provide decorations for the tree each year. Groups from each state contribute ornaments which are then encased in plastic globes to withstand the weather.

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has become an event that is much anticipated by everyone including school children. President Reagan was the first to invite a child to light the tree along with him and his wife. The child was a terminally ill child who had made a wish through the Make-a-Wish Foundation to be allowed to help light the tree. Every year since, children have been helping the President light the very special tree. The honor is only given to children who have proven their dedication to volunteering for their country in their local neighborhoods. Previous children who have been chosen have worked in their free time to feed and clothe the hungry and homeless.

General Electric has provided the lights for the national tree since 1968. The lights, once screw-in bulbs that had to be replaced manually if they blew out, are now long-lasting LED bulbs. The lights are now more energy efficient and comply with the White House’s request that a more green solution be used for this magnificent tree.

Printed on glossy cardstock at the highest level of quality, Zazzle’s photo cards are a great way to send this year’s family portraits to friends and relatives around the world. Perfect for newlyweds, new parents, or families with kids, Zazzle’s Christmas photo cards are a wonderful way to wish “Happy Holidays” while also sharing your favorite photos from the past year. Add your family pictures to an existing photo card template, or create your very own design using uploaded images and text. While Zazzle’s photo cards come with complimentary white envelopes, you can also create your own envelopes, labels and postage to go along with your one-of-a-kind card design.

When it comes to Christmas card options, Zazzle also has photo postcards. A lovely alternative to the slightly larger photo card, photo postcards can be easily stamped, addressed, and sent without the hassle of stuffing envelopes. Unlike photo cards, which can only be printed on the front, postcards are printable on both sides. Add your photo to the front of the postcard and your special message on the back, and your loved ones will have a delightful photo keepsake to stick on the fridge or into a picture frame. Combined with flat-rate shipping and amazing volume discounts up to 35% off, your Zazzle photo cards and Christmas postcards will be made in just 24 hours and will be a hit anywhere you send them. Design your Christmas cards online at Zazzle and receive your unique order with 100% satisfaction guaranteed! Visit Zazzle.com today!

Shortly after Thanksgiving, everyone begins to expect to see houses completely bedecked in colored lights, twinkling strands of ‘icicle lights’, resin statues of reindeer & Santa in the front lawn and all sorts of other Christmas decorations. It’s not too long after the pumpkins are thrown away that we invite into our home another element of nature, another representative of the natural world: our Christmas trees! Every house and family does it different, but most every American family has some tradition of putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it with Christmas ornaments. The trouble starts when you reach into your box to discover that your moldy old Christmas lights are wrapped around eachother so much you can’t make out cord from light and with the wiring showing through the rubber, you’re wondering if you’ll just turn your entire house into a Yule-tide blaze.

ChristmasGifts.com has the solution! ChristmasGifts.com has searched (and continues to search) for the best retailers and providers of Christmas ornaments and Christmas decorations and put them all into one easy-to-use website. If you’re looking for Christmas decorations in a hurry and for cheap, all you have to do is hurry over to their Christmas decorations tab, look through the options and choose the one for you. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’ll get you some of the best Christmas ornaments and decorations you can find! This year, replace the old decorations with some new ones from ChristmasGifts.com.

Don’t worry, ChristmasGifts.com is good for way more than just Christmas decorations. Even though Christmas decorations can make pretty darn good Christmas gifts (try a cool personalized Christmas ornament or special Christmas picture frames!), ChristmasGifts.com goes way beyond that. Just a few clicks on the website and you will see that they have got the biggest selection of Christmas gifts and Christmas gift ideas that you have ever seen! ChristmasGifts.com has Christmas gifts for babies, Christmas gift certificates, last minute Christmas gifts, electronics gifts, Christmas music, entertainment gifts, clothing, religious Christmas gifts… pretty much anything you can think of when thinking of awesome Christmas gifts! They even have stuff you can’t think of! ChristmasGifts.com brings you a gigantic selection of great gift ideas, from unique gift ideas to personalized Christmas gifts. You can’t go wrong with ChristmasGifts.com!

From rare Christmas ornaments to beautiful handmade rugs to Christmas gifts for the wine enthusiast… ChristmasGifts.com will help you find a great Christmas gift for even your pickiest recipient! Your fancy friends will love the Christmas presents you find on ChristmasGifts.com! While your other friends and family members pull out their hair trying to find a super Christmas gift for the dynamic duo, you will be relaxing at your desk or on your couch, easily surfing through ChristmasGifts.com’s huge database of Christmas gifts, getting unique gift ideas, honest customer ratings and sometimes even a free gift with your purchase! Talk about stress free! ChristmasGifts.com is your answer the question, “How can I actually enjoy Christmas shopping?” Just take a few moments to browse through ChristmasGifts.com and you will see what I mean. There are thousands of amazing gift ideas, great links to cool websites and Christmas Clearances that will have you looking forward to Christmas shopping.

On the Ornaments.com directory, you will find hood ornaments, wearable ornaments, and lawn ornaments as well as what we traditionally think of as ornaments.

The Ornaments.com staff searches for unique ornaments and ornament artists and shares the results with ornament collectors and gift buyers on the Ornaments Directory.  They display over 500 different ornament stores and websites, presenting a great stage for “showing off” the beautiful ornaments.

Ornament collectors and gift buyers refer to the growing Ornaments Directory at Ornaments.com year round for Christmas ornaments as well as for other holiday ornaments.

Please visit Ornaments.com often and watch us add new ornaments and ornament vendors daily.