The White House kicked off their presence on Pinterest with a White House Holiday Social.
14 lucky Pinners were invited to tour the White House, check out the holiday decor, meet the team that helped transform the White House for holidays, participate in a craft project, and hear from officials about topics ranging from the First Lady’s initiatives to digital strategy at the White House.
I am still pinching myself and so excited to be able to share this special experience at the White House with you!
My big Pinning adventure started on afternoon Sunday flying the cloudy skies to D.C.
After checking in at the Sofitel, it was time to check out the neighborhood.
After a quick stroll it to beat the rain, it was time to get some dinner at ICI Urban Bistro
Yummy French onion soup
- Espresso and macaroon
On Monday morning we had to arrive at the White House no later than 8:15 a.m. at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and East Executive Avenue
Breakfast of champion Pinners
Waiting in anticipation of who else will be joining the Holiday Social, Prairie Burt and I heard some barking just beyond the gates and we caught a glimpse of Bo Obama.
Enid Hwang and Janet of Pawling Print Studio
As more Pinners arrived including Pinterest’s community manager, Enid Hwang (WooHOO) we went through security and then arrived at the East Wing Reception Room. We were greeted by Kasie Coccaro and Kori Schulman Office of Digital Strategy at The White House.
East Visitor Entrance and Landing
- Melissa Jones, Enid Hwang, Aimee
White House East Wing Reception Room
White House Holiday Social Agenda
The White House Holiday Social with Pinterest officially kicked off with
“Joy to All”: White House Holiday Tour
White House China Room
White House Vermeil Room
White House East Room
Stunning East Room Christmas trees with famous George Washington portrait in the background
The Green Room Christmas trees featured terrarium ornmanets, find out how to make them here http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/inside-white-house/holidays
State Dining Room
The Gold Star Family Tree – a tree dedicated to veterans
Blue Room Christmas tree ornaments decorated by military children living on US military bases all around the world
View from the Blue Room
White House gingerbread house
The White House Entrance Hall and Cross Hall feature trees with ornaments from themes picked by the current First Lady Michelle Obama and previous First Ladies.
The tradition has been honored for 50 years.
Hillary Clinton Christmas tree ornament
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Christmas tree ornament
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Christmas tree ornament
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Christmas tree ornament
Bo Christmas tree ornament
How Pinterest-y is this rainbow ombre tree?
Love the reflection of the menorah and the Christmas tree
We had the pleasure and the honor of meeting Laura Dowling, Chief Floral Designer at the White House
We toured the floral design center at the White House and created festive holiday containers with up-cycled plastic containers, spray paint, and magnolia leaves.
Laura Dowling, Chief Floral Designer
Exotic blooms
We also enjoyed White House Christmas cutout cookies and hot cider
Kori Schulman, Director of Online Engagement with a platter of cutouts
I could not bring myself to take a bite out of Bo ~ so he and the White House cup came back to Atlanta
A special gift handmade for the Pinners! Included: how to for the craft project, pumpkin cake recipe, how to make Bo flakes, and how to make Bo garland
After this we had a Pin break and lunch
Next we met at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
These guys greeted us in Room 234
White House M & M’s with Barack Obama’s signature on the box
From the Gingerbread White House to the Kitchen Garden
We met with Bill Yosses, Executive Pastry Chef.
He took us through the process of making the White House gingerbread house. The whole process began in July with the idea and was completed in November. He even gave us the recipe for how to make the windows on the gingerbread house.
2.2 lbs of sugar
10 oz of corn syrup
3 oz water
Boiled to 360 degrees
Let it sit for 3 – 4 minutes before pouring into a mold
If using an image (like the White House) make sure to use edible ink and place ink side up
Bill Yosses, Executive Pastry Chef
Notice the image in the window. If you were on the outside looking in, this would be the hallway in the White House that you would see (in next image)
White House gingerbread house. Notice the White House Garden and Bo.
Bill said, “We do understand proportion. But everyone loves Bo.”
Opening the “People’s House”
Ellie Schafer is the Director of the White House Visitors Office and she loves logistics. She is tasked with managing all of the events and guests that come through the doors of the White House.
Prior to working at the White House she worked with John Kerry and the Dalai Lama.
Ellie Schafer, Director of the White House Visitors Office
The First Lady’s Office & Initiatives
Tina Tchen, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady
We learned about the First Lady’s initiatives Joining Forces, Council on Women and Girls, and Let’s Move from Tina Tchen.
Macon Phillips, Director of the Office of Digital Strategy
And we ended the day with a collaborative discussion with Macon Phillips, Director of the Office of Digital Strategy, Kori Schulman, Director of Online Engagement, and Kody Starr, Creative Director in the Office of Digital Strategy. It was an excellent opportunity for us to learn about their plans for Pinterest but they also wanted feedback on what we would like to see Pinned and how to engage on Pinterest.
I plan to post more about the social media side of the visit soon 🙂
It was a completely amazing experience look for more pictures on flickr and be sure to follow the
White House Pins and mine as well on Pinterest.
Please join #PinChat on Friday, December 21st at 10PM EST for a special: #Pinchat Cocktail Party talking about Pinterest at The White House
Kelly Lieberman 