By Nina Tsipuria
“Anna’s Obama Images make me think … I call it ‘OBAMA CLASSICISM” after the great masters … Raphael and Leonardo DaVinci.”— Sherwood Woody Omens – Professor and President of the American Society of Cinematographers. This is how the critics responded to this famous photographer’s exhibit in 2019 – called “Celebrate Hope the Obama Collection by Anna Wilding.”
Anna Wilding, served as Chief White House Correspondent, broadcaster, and Presidential photographer (2015 to 2017) . Along with a very small handful photographers, Anna, a published professional photographer since a teenager, was taking photos daily of the Obama administration. Ms. Wilding was even able to travel as part of the former President’s entourage as a photographer. Ms. Wilding worked through the years, in multiple mediums, and her work of Obama’s is considered iconic and unique. For Christmas holidays Anna Wilding spoke to Nina Tsipuria about White House traditions and Holidays.
Anna Wilding: Christmas time in the White House is the most magical of times. Seconded only by the iconic Easter Egg Roll celebration in the White House. Christmas time is when the White House comes fully alive filled with merriment wonder and joy.
The White House has strong Christmas traditions. Firstly the Christmas Tree , for the Blue Room, which is usually around 20 feet arrives magically at the White House. Several of us gathered around, outside in the chilly snowy grey air, as the military trumpets play and watch the traditional horse and cart pull up with the very long Christmas tree . The tree’s fir boughs and leaves would hang over and behind the cart leaving a green trail of cones and green branches. The smell of fresh pine would permeate the air. Christmas truly arrives. Mrs Obama would emerge from the main White House doors looking as regal and stylish as ever with Bo and Sunny, the Obama’s much loved two Portuguese water dogs, on their leashes in her hand. The sight reminded me of old Vogue Covers of fashionable women on the streets of Paris with dachsunds in tow. See my photo attached.
Every year a tree is presented to the White House that is the winner of that year’s Grand Champion Grower in the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest. What other country in the world has a Christmas tree growing competition! Over the coming days dozens of volunteers work overtime decorating the entire White House for Christmas. Multiple Christmas trees are used to celebrate Christmas, a Christmas tree seems to almost appear in each room- and there are a lot of room. There are rooms , such as the State Dining Room, that house the White House Gingerbread house which used over 150 pounds of gingerbread on the inside and 100 pounds on dough on the outside, to marzipan baubles, to fairy houses, giant wreaths, small wreaths . In fact, anything you can imagine. Opulent but hopefully warm and tasteful depending on who the First family is. A few Christmas tree decorations arrive from handpicked sources including veterans and children. Each year the First Lady chooses a theme for that year’s White House. The Obama’s Christmas decorations were always warm cheerful comforting and vibrant – designed for the children and the child inside us all. Magical. The Obama’s were not there to make a fashion statement at Christmas but to embrace the true meaning, and tradition of Christmas and entertain the myriads of children and adults that would come to experience the White House at Christmas. Symbolism was important to the Obama’s “The true gifts of life, such as service, friends and family, education and good health” to quote the White House in 2016.
“First Christmas Tree in White House”
More than 130 000 holiday lights would decorate the trees, wreaths, garlands and other displays. In 2016 Mrs Obama used 200 000 LEGOS to delight the visiting children to make ‘gingerfriends”, hanging lengthy paper chains from the roof and more. Quite a creative sight to behold without a hint of commercialism that could have happened in different hands. First Lady Michelle Obama said “I am proud to open this House to as many people as possible from as many backgrounds as possible” It was a philosophy of thought the Obama’s principled throughout their time in the White House . It is something I resonated with , coming from an extended family that welcomed guests, and I am always keen to make people aware of in my photography exhibit of the East and West Wing “Celebrate Hope the Obama Collection”. Often the Obama’s would say ” the White House is the people’s house . The Obama’s were very aware of being in service to the country. When that historical operational tenent disappears, in any other Presidency , it is noted and felt throughout the land. Of note , in 2023 First Lady Jill Biden utilized 142, 425 holiday lights. Documentation suggests the first Christmas tree electric lights in the White House were on a family tree in 1894 during the presidency of Grover Cleveland . Electricity was installed in the White House in 1891.
“Mrs. Obamas style of decoration”
There are many rooms to the White House and the Obama’s would use every wonderful nook and crannies for a special theme. One year the Obama’s paid homage to postal services bringing people together and there were large brightly colored letterboxes and letters spilling out of the walls.. Another room was dedicated to Bo and Sunny-with larger than life replicas of the two dogs made out of hand made thousands of pom poms using oodles of black and white yarn. Walking through the White House promenades and columns would bring more joy and delight. Once the decorations were completed we were invited to walk through with Mrs Obama and preview the decorations. It would take a few hours. We would go off on our own and speak to the elves decorating the trees and learn of their happy exhaustion working so hard on the decorations. I would learn their personal stories and their honor at being at the White House. An honor we all hopefully shared. We would come through again at a later date, this time entering to the tune of the military band and all it’s pomp and ceremony, to welcome guests, and observe as Mrs Obama entertained and walked through each room , playing with toys, guiding children who were trailing in awe in her wake. Carolina Herrara was a designer of choice for Mrs Obama and the perfect green in the dress would pop out against the Christmas Tree decorations. One little girl could barely move she was so in awe of the vision of the statuesque Mrs Obama bending down gently to speak to them. She trailed Mrs Obama’s feet where ever Mrs Obama went. We left the East Wing Christmas scene holding Christmas cookies that warmed our hands in the cold air as we moved back to the West Wing.
Every movement is observed in the White House grounds. In the White House we were, and as are those working inside the walls today, forever closely followed by a handful of armed elite force security guards and secret service protecting us. You get used to it but it is an unusual thing to get used to and not what most people encounter in their day to day lives. The Obama’s had many more years of it and Mrs Obama has spoken about it often out of concern for her children Malia and Sasha at the time. There are many many layers of security that are fitting for such an important House and the people within it’s walls. This was but one. There was more than one instance where we had to “shelter in place” but I do not recollect this ever happening at Christmas.
The White House Christmas is a time of togetherness. During this time the National Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on a cold and frosty night on a stage erected on the Front Lawn of the White House. On or around 1st December each year President Barack Obama and former First Lady Mrs Obama would share their remarks joined by iconic performers and watched by thousands in person who were invited from all walks of life, brave enough to dress up in warm coats and face the freezing night air.
Every year the Obama family would retreat to Hawaii for Christmas. The family would have their favorite restaurants they would visit. President Obama’s favorite restaurant was Alan Wong’s and Chef Moromoto’s. I love Hawaii and have been there many times, and I have had occasion to dine and review both restaurants for the former Herald De Paris and both these restaurants are perfect.
Alan Wong’s has since closed but his wonderful , passionate and innovative Hawaiian fare will be remembered by many. The President Obama family would also take in hikes and President Obama would issue his Christmas book and music list every year. A tradition he still upholds.
