Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-24
CHLDREN'S JOY TO ENLIVEN
CHRISTMAS AT WHITE HOUSE
Mansion RedoIent With Pine
and Spruce in 0ld-Fash-
Toned Manner.
Mrs. Hoover Has Supervised
Plans Primarily to Make
Grandchildren Happy.
BY ]. RUSSELL YOUNG.

Christmas at the White House this
year will be a good, old-fashioned
affair, enlivened by the laughter and
noise and play of the little grand
children of President and Mrs. Hoover
Once again, after lapse of a num-
Der of years, voices of children and
pattering of feet, and the many other
sounds that mark youngsters at play,
are echoing throughout the famous
mansion which has been the scene of SO
many stately and historic gatherings.
: The White House again is expert
encing genuine, childs Christmas.
Besides taking on the atmosphere of
Yuletide, this home of American Presi-
dents has taken on the aspect of
real American home.
Joan Has Handicap.
The reasons for all this life and
happiness and Christmas spirit in the
White House this year are the children
of Herbert Hoover, jr, who is spending
the Winter at Asheville, N. c., with his
wife, while recovering from an illness.
These children are, Peggy Anne, who
is Az years old and who resembles
strongly her grandfather; Herbert
Hoover, Sd, who is not quite years,
and Joan, who will experience her first
Christmas this year.
OF course Joan's youth will eliminate
her from all the fun and excitement.
but just the same her little socks will
be hung and filled alongside of the
larger ones of her big brother and sister,
and will get her share of suitable
presents,
A few days ago the work of decorat-
ing the White House for the Yuletide
started. Large wreaths, made mostly
of laurel and pine cones, have been
hung in the numerous windows. Vari-
Gus greens, other than holly, which is
not permitted by Mrs. Hoover for White
House decorations. and flowers such as
poinsettia have been used in the gen.
eral scheme.
MistletOe and Pine PrOfuse.
Numbers of spruce and pine trees
have been placed in the many rooms,
Railways and Hobbies, but only three or
four of these will be trimmed to any
extent. Two of those are of the Nor
way spruce variety and are huge in
size. One has been set UP in the state
dining room and will serve as the fam
lily Christmas tree. The other is in
on the first floor, and is described as
the public tree
Mistletoe and sprays of pine with
cones have been hung in profusion.
With all these greens and trees and
plants in position now the interior of
the White House not only looks like an
old-fashioned Christmas, but smells
like one.
Moreover, there has been an almost
constant stream of packages arriving
during the past few days. Mail bags
bullying with boxes and greeting cards
axe being left at the White House sew
eral times day. Last year the Hoo
vers received more than 5000 cards
bearing some form of Christmas cheer
and greeting, and it is indicated that
they viii receive greater number this
year.
Children Greatly Interested.
Peggy Anne and Herbert have been
greatly interested in all these goings
on. Frequently they have abandoned
their play to stand by and watch and
ask questions. AS might be expected,
they have now reached that point of
excitement where they just can't wait
for the arrival of old Santa. They are
keeping their eyes on the big fireplaces
in their nursery and in the state room,
where they have been told he will make
his appearance when they have retired
tonight.
From their nursery rooms on the top
floor of the White House, they can see
the tall live community Christmas tree
at the rear of the Treasury Building
with its thousands of varied-colored
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