White House Christmas tree arrives

The day after Thanksgiving, a horse-drawn carriage hauls a nearly 19-foot balsam fir up the White House driveway. It’ll be the centerpiece of decorations in the Blue Room.

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Nov. 25, 2011

A horse-drawn carriage delivers the White House Christmas tree. Last month, White House staffers went to Schroeder's Forevergreens tree farm in Neenah, Wis., to make the selection.

Yuri Gripas / Reuters

Nov. 25, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha, center, and Malia officially receive the tree.

Yuri Gripas / Reuters

Nov. 25, 2011

Tom Schroeder and Sue Schroeder earned the honor of providing the White House tree after winning a national contest (on their fourth try) sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association. Bo also went outside to sniff out the new White House addition.

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

Nov. 25, 2011

The Schroeders enjoy their thrilling moment with Michelle Obama.

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

Nov. 25, 2011

Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha, left, and Malia and Bo check out the tree. During the next several days, dozens of volunteers and White House staffers will decorate it.

Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 25, 2011

Bo makes sure he gets as much attention as the tree.

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

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 around the world celebrate in a variety of 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 annual lighting of the National Menorah 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 honors African American culture and is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 every year.

Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest: A wrap up

Find out who created your favorite entry and read what our judges thought about the 12 finalists’ artwork. Plus, you can view the 15 &ldquo...

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 won the grand prize for her paper star woven with gold metallic thread. It was chosen from hundreds of photos of handmade, winter-themed...

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

From thumbprints to exotic shortbread, our collection of holiday cookie recipes has something for everyone. This year, we’ve highlighted...

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 this year’s 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 Obamas are joined by Kermit the Frog, Carson Daly, OneRepublic, Big Time Rush and others for the annual lighting of the National Christmas...

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