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First lady Michelle Obama, with daughters Sasha and Malia, welcome the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree at the White House last week. Walking behind the first lady are Brandi and Chris Botek of the Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Leighton, Pa., where the tree was cut.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais
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A Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House.
Jewl Samad
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An ornament hangs on a Christmas tree at the White House.
Jewl Samad
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Michelle Obama displays a card made by children from a military family in the State Dining Room on Wednesday. The families were invited to make holiday ornaments, cards and treats at the White House.
Jewl Samad
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A replica of the White House made out of chocolate and gingerbread.
Jewl Samad
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The theme for Christmas at the White House this year is "Simple Gifts".
Charles Dharapak
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Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Washington director of the American Friends of Lubavitch; White House Budget Director Jack Lew; and Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, director of the American Friends of Lubavitch, take part in the annual Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony at the White House on Wednesday.
Mandel Ngan
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The Obamas watch as Susan Retik (second from left) and her daughter Molly light a menorah on the second night of Hanukkah during a reception in the East Room on Thursday. Cleanup crews discovered the menorah, loaned from Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans, covered in mold, filth and sewage after Hurricane Katrina. Retik's husband, David, was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Saul Loeb
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The U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra performs in the Grand Foyer during a Hanukkah reception hosted by President Obama at the White House on Thursday.
Saul Loeb
Copyright 2010 NPR
