Barbara Bush: Christmas is a Storyland

A “ Storybook Christmas” showcased a tree featuring popular characters from children’s books, championing Mrs. Bush’s favorite cause of literacy with tiny books as ornaments, and accented with gold and red ribbon. In 1990, the theme was “Nutcracker”, as actual ballet slippers and porcelain dancers decorated the house. “Needlepoint Christmas” was the theme in 1991, with needlepoint creations featured on the tree. “Gift Givers” was the theme for 1992. The idea of gift givers had taken on many forms over the years in the form of Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Snow Maid to name a few, and Mrs. Bush chose to represent eighty-eight different kinds on her tree. (Photos courtesy of the George Bush Library and Museum)