The White House Historical Society, as many of you probably know, releases commemorative Christmas ornaments each year. The ornaments benefit the work of the Society, which was founded by Jackie Kennedy. If your family is like mine, stuff like this is a godsend for holiday shopping, especially since I’ve got my future in-laws to think about this year as well, i just hope I’m able to find a macys promo code online this year.
My grandparents are impossible to shop for- when they want something, they just go out and get it. But you can’t just run out to the local mall in Pittsburgh to pick up a White House Christmas ornament. Sure, there are places to get them online, but for the most part, this is a nice little only-in-DC kind of gift. Your out-of-town family might enjoy being the only people they know to have such a thing.
The Historical Society also wisely chooses nice, non-controversial subjects for its ornaments each year. Afraid your feisty, left-wing auntie might not want a White House ornament because she hates George Bush? Not to worry- this year’s ornament commemorates President James Garfield. Not only can you not get all politically worked up over a guy who was President more than 100 years ago, he also didn’t have time to do anything really offensive- he was assassinated 6 months after taking office.
And they’re inexpensive, too. So go get your grandma an ornament. Show her that you’re thinking of her, even from hundreds of miles away. She can say to her nosy neighbor who asks, “Oh, my granddaughter who lives in WASHINGTON got that for me. She walked over to the White House on her lunch hour and picked it up, because she works near there, you know.”
And do it now, because after Thanksgiving, the line will be out the door and around the block.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
Tiffany Baxendell Bridge is an Internet enthusiast and an incurable smartass. When not heckling the neighborhood political scene on Twitter, she can be found goofing off with her ukulele, Bollywood dancing, or obsessing about cult TV. She is That Woman With the Baby In the Bar.
Tiffany lives in Brookland with her husband Tom, son Charlie, and two high-maintenance cats. Read why Tiffany loves DC.
