The Gingerbread White House

While I was shopping for Christmas gifts this year, a new book titled Christmas with the First Ladies caught my attention, written by Coleen Christian Burke and forwarded by Deborah Norville.

This book includes the First Ladies’ Christmas stories from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama, as well as sweet recipes for the holidays.

I enjoyed reading about the creation of the gingerbread house, which is usually the most eagerly awaited part of the traditional Christmas experience at the White House. This tradition was started by Pat Nixon in 1971, and it continues today.

My personal favorite is the gingerbread White House replica made by pastry chef Bill Yosses in 2009. It was covered with white chocolate, and included Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden.

As you can see, the room was filled with dark chocolate furniture, and lit with a dollhouse chandelier

Photography by Samantha Appleton