White House Christmas cards

A look back at some of the holiday greetings from the White House.

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The White House Christmas card from 1993 featuring the Clintons in the State Dining Room.

File Photo /

The 1997 White House holiday card was a reproduction of Kay Jackson's "White House Nocturne, South Lawn 1997." It features a view of the South Lawn on a winter's evening.

/ AP

Hillary Rodham Clinton with the 1999 White House Christmas card.

Craig Herndon / The Washington Post

The 1999 card, created by artist Ray Ellis, features a watercolor painting depicting the North Portico of the White House.

/ Reuters

President Bill Clinton broke from the traditional watercolor, oil or photographed White House Christmas scenes with this 1995 modern art card by artist Thomas F. McKnight.

Larry Kobelka / For The Washington Post

Fort Worth artist Cindi Holt painted the Red Room for the 2004 White House holiday card

/ White House

The 2002 holiday card, produced by Kansas City, Mo.-based Hallmark Cards. The card shows a view of a 1938 Steinway piano in the Grand Foyer on the State Floor of the White House. Artist Zhen-Huan Lu of Atlanta was chosen by President George W. Bush and Laura Bush to create the original artwork.

/ AP

The 2003 official White House Christmas card was designed by artist Barbara Ernst Prey of Oyster Bay, N.Y., and depicts the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.

White House photo / White House photo

President Bush's 2005 Christmas card.

/ AP

The 2011 White House holiday card. The only Obama in this year's mailing (underwritten by the Democratic National Committee) is Portuguese water dog Bo, snoozing by a toasty White House fireplace and a table laden with gifts in the drawing by artist Mark Matuszak.

Courtesy of the White House

The Season in Photos

Santa Claus, portrayed by Steve Stickley of Stephens City, Va. gets a kiss from a stray puppy during an open house at the Esther L. Boyd Animal Shelter in Winchester, Va. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo, The Winchester Star, Jeff Taylor)

Holiday celebrations around the world

People celebrate in colorful, playful and profound ways.

12/05/1999 - PH/MENORAH - CREDIT: Michael Lutzky/TWP - LOCATION: The Ellipse - CAPTION: The official lighting ceremony for the National Menorah on the Ellipse was not held until the third night of Chanukah. Here, the flames smoke after the lighting with the Washington Monument in the background.

Hanukkah starts with National Menorah lighting in Washington

This year’s lighting took place on the White House Ellipse on the first night of Hanukkah.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Aini-Alem Dennis, 10, left, Mikalah Davis, 14, center, and Leilani Gill, 11, right, perform with the Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble during A Kwanzaa Celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursday December 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. The event featured information on the background of Kwanzaa along with drumming and dancing. (Photo by Matt McClain For The Washington Post)

Kwanzaa celebrations across the country

The holiday is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 yearly.

Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest: A wrap up

Find out who created your favorite wrap design and what the judges liked about the 12 finalists’ artwork. Plus, check out our “adorable...

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 14: Local Living second annual holiday crafts contest winner by Elizabeth Tung as seen on Wednesday December 14, 2011 at The Washington Post studio in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain for The Washington Post)

Holiday Crafts Contest: Meet the winners

Elizabeth Tung’s paper star made with gold metallic thread won the annual contest.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 19: White Chocolate and Peppermint Chocolate Mountains photographed in Washington, DC. (Photo by Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)

Cookie Guide: 25 recipes for the best holiday treats

Our collection of holiday cookie recipes has something for everyone.

U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha (L) and Malia pose with children, dressed as elves, at the 'Christmas in Washington' celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 11, 2011. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Obamas shine at ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert

The president and first lady host the celebration at the National Building Museum.

US President Barack Obama smiles with daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) while watching First Lady Michelle Obama read to children during the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on December 1, 2011 at The Ellipse in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

National Christmas Tree lights up Washington

The tree lighting has been an annual tradition in Washington since 1923.

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