WHITE HOUSE Christmas 2005

[pk305]

Just watched HGTV's 2005 special showing all the behind the scenes with decorators, staff, and volunteers to get the White House CHRISTMAS ready!!
It will air a number of times between now and Christmas & is a WONDERFUL way to spend an hour!!! Amazing!!! Check out the schedule at www.hgtv.com

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

 

[DD]

Missed it tonite, but plan to watch. Looks like it's amazing. I noticed Good Morning America this morning was going to have the "Barney Cam" (?) with the White House Dogs. Missed it too though!

 

[BeachDreamer]

We did see the big gingerbread house competition, and that was fantastic. I was disappointed that the winner of the childrens' division was a toddler whose mother actually carried her up to receive the prize. It was obvious who had done all the work. So many kids slaved for weeks over their gingerbread creations, to have someone's mother steal the winning spot. But other than that (yeah, I stewed over it for a day and a half, lol) it was awesome.

 

[Sheila]

We did see the big gingerbread house competition, and that was fantastic. I was disappointed that the winner of the childrens' division was a toddler whose mother actually carried her up to receive the prize. It was obvious who had done all the work. So many kids slaved for weeks over their gingerbread creations, to have someone's mother steal the winning spot. But other than that (yeah, I stewed over it for a day and a half, lol) it was awesome.

I agree. She was a cute child but I doubt she could say, "teapot", let alone bake and make one. They should change the rules for that category. They were all pretty incrediable though. Worth a watch for sure!

 

[Miss Kitty]

The Kitty's received thier White House Christmas Card and it is a cutie!! A painitng of the White House in the snow with two little black dogs sitting in the front lawn!!! Much better than the calendar we received with a Bush theme!!! Man, I really should have saved that one to regift and give to a real life member of the other party!!! Beware giving any monies to any party!!!
I do love the Barney cam!

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Much discussion over the lack of Merry Christmas on the card since our President proclaims to be a Godly man. Is it true?

 

[Smiling JOe]

I am curious to know how much tax payer dollars is spent on things like decorating the White House and the Christmas parties for the White House. Anyone have a clue. Personally, I think it very wasteful, esp considering all of the homeless people in DC alone. There is a sign on a church marquee in PCB that reads, "Would Jesus want you to go into debt in order to celebrate his birthday?" My question is, would Jesus want our President to spend a few million bucks on decorating for his birthday rather than feeding those without food, clothing those without clothes, and sheltering those without homes? Makes me wonder about the hypocracy that overflows down to the masses.

If the celebration of Jesus' birthday is supposed to be about giving, I question the limitation of our giving mostly to our own families. I wonder if this is what Jesus really taught. Let's help people out, but keep it close to the family. From everything that I understand about Jesus, this action goes against his principles, as well as the principles of John the Baptist.

I encourage you to find a stranger in need to help out this Christmas. There are plenty out there. It doesn't mean that you cannot or should not buy gifts for your family, but do as Jesus would, and venture out of your own little world.

I know some of you guys are in the know, and I am proud of you. ;-)

 

[Mermaid]

I am curious to know how much tax payer dollars is spent on things like decorating the White House and the Christmas parties for the White House. Anyone have a clue. Personally, I think it very wasteful, esp considering all of the homeless people in DC alone. There is a sign on a church marquee in PCB that reads, "Would Jesus want you to go into debt in order to celebrate his birthday?" My question is, would Jesus want our President to spend a few million bucks on decorating for his birthday rather than feeding those without food, clothing those without clothes, and sheltering those without homes? Makes me wonder about the hypocracy that overflows down to the masses.

If the celebration of Jesus' birthday is supposed to be about giving, I question the limitation of our giving mostly to our own families. I wonder if this is what Jesus really taught. Let's help people out, but keep it close to the family. From everything that I understand about Jesus, this action goes against his principles, as well as the principles of John the Baptist.

I encourage you to find a stranger in need to help out this Christmas. There are plenty out there. It doesn't mean that you cannot or should not buy gifts for your family, but do as Jesus would, and venture out of your own little world.

I know some of you guys are in the know, and I am proud of you. ;-)

Very interesting post, SJ. You always give us something to mull over and debate in our minds! Here are my thoughts on the subject--yes, practically speaking, it IS wasteful to spend a gazillion dollars on decorations. Especially when there are hungry mouths literally at the White House door. However, is it not written "the poor will always be with us?" NOT decorating and using the money towards helping the poor will take care of the problem for, say, a week or two? And once again, the poor will still be with us.

The White House decorations are lovely. They are accessible to everyone to view and take pleasure in. Can you not argue that someone's sad heart would be gladdened by looking at such an exuberant display of holiday spirit? I don't think it's sinful to want to make the world beautiful, not when it spreads happiness to so many people. Jesus wasn't against celebration, not at all. Remember the wedding feast where he turned water into wine? He didn't argue that water was free and wine cost money!

I think there is a happy balance for all this. Decorate and celebrate for the Christmas holidays. It's joyful in a dark, cold time of year. But remember the original reason for the celebration, and SHARE. Giving in the holiday season, helping someone, is really a gift to yourself.

 

[seagrovelover]

Food for thought SJ........... :clap_1:

 

[Miss Kitty]

Much discussion over the lack of Merry Christmas on the card since our President proclaims to be a Godly man. Is it true?

No Merry Christmas, but Psalm 28:7 and wishes for a holiday season of hope and happiness.