WASHINGTON — Melania Trump, and son Barron, continued a time-honoured, first lady tradition on Monday: receiving the official White House Christmas tree. A military band quartet played holiday tunes as a horse-drawn wagon carried the 19 1/2-foot Balsam fir from Wisconsin up the White House driveway. The Chapmans own a Wisconsin Christmas tree farm and won an annual contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association. “I hope you can come and visit with us.”The White House chief usher, who oversees the residence, and the grounds superintendent picked out the tree during a September scouting trip. The White House food kitchen and pastry kitchen will go into overdrive preparing all of the food and cakes, cookies and pies that are typically served at the parties, along with the gingerbread White House — which is on display for weeks and never served.

Source: National Post November 20, 2017 21:45 UTC