Lights shine on the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House on Dec. 1 in Washington. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha, helped press the button to light the illuminate the Colorado blue spruce.

　　12月1日，位于华盛顿的美国白宫前的国家圣诞树灯光闪耀。总统巴拉克·奥巴马、第一夫人米歇尔和女儿玛丽亚、萨莎，一同按下灯光的按钮，点亮了科罗拉多州的蓝色云杉。

Overall, there appear to be fewer trees and decorations than in years past -- and the same is true of the Christmas card list. Several hundred thousand have been mailed out, paid for by the Democratic National Committee.

　　总体而言，同去年相比似乎少了一些树木和装饰物，相同的是圣诞邀请卡片名单。几十万张卡片已经寄出，费用由民主党全国委员会承担。

The Blue Room is adorned with a Fraser fir from Dan and Bryan Christmas Trees in nearby Shepherdstown, W. Va.

　　蓝色房间有一颗冷杉装饰着，来自在西弗吉尼亚州谢泼兹敦附近的Dan and Bryan圣诞树。

Christmas trees are seen on the White House's State Floor. The 2009 official White House ornament commemorates the 24th president of the United States, Grover Cleveland.

　　圣诞树摆放在白宫的国家楼层。 2009年，白宫的装饰是为了纪念美国的第二十四任总统——格罗弗·克利夫兰。

A large wreath is seen hanging in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Overall, about the same number of guests will visit the White House this holiday season as in years past, although there will be a slightly smaller number of parties and receptions, according to White House aides.

　　一个巨大的花环悬挂在华盛顿白宫的东厅。总的来说，圣诞节参观白宫的客人将会和去年的人数相当，尽管将会举行少数小规模的舞会和接待会，据白宫发言人说。

The entrance to the West Wing of the White House is framed by Christmas trees and holiday lights in Washington. Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 began the tradition of establishing a decorating theme for White House Christmases, selecting "The Nutcracker Suite."

　　华盛顿白宫西翼的入口是由圣诞树及节日灯光框架起来的。1961年，杰奎琳·肯尼迪开始创建了一个白宫圣诞节装饰主题的传统，定为“胡桃夹子组曲”。