Tinsel & Twitter fest at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...The White House is transformed into a magical wonderland each year during the holiday season with a theme selected by the First Lady, a tradition started by First Lady Jackie Kennedy. This year, the White House has invitied Twitter users who follow the @WhiteHouse account to apply to attend a Holiday Open House Tweetup on Dec. 5. Lucky invitees will get an indoor tour of the beautifully bedecked Residence. First Lady Michelle Obama's decor theme has not yet been announced, but of course it will be lovely. Update: The deadline to apply has now passed. (Above: The 18 1/2 ft. tall 2010 Official White House Christmas Tree, in the Blue Room)
"The Holiday Open House Tweetup is not an event with the President and First Lady but is a wonderful and unique opportunity to see the Residence decorated for the holidays," noted the White House, but guests "will also have the chance to hear from Administration officials."
Those selected to attend must be over eighteen years of age, and are allowed to bring along a guest. The White House has been hosting Tweetups since President Obama's Twitter Town Hall last summer. Mrs. Obama hosted her First Let's Move! Tweetup during the Oct. 5th Fall Harvest of the Kitchen Garden.
The First Lady's theme for 2010 was "Simple Gifts," and the decor included the not-so-simple 400-pound White House Holiday Gingerbread House, created by Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses. It was the largest in White House history. A slideshow of the 2010 Holidays is here.
*Photo by Chuck Kennedy/White House
