By Kirsten Brown - It's a well-known joke around the White House that Christmas starts in July.

Washington, D.C. - Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - infoZine - A silly idea, of course, because it really starts in March.

First lady Laura Bush unveiled this year's Christmas theme Thursday, "Deck the Halls, and Welcome All" after nearly a year of preparation.

"It's the only home of a world leader that's open to the public," the first lady said, "and we're very proud of that."

The majestic Red Room inspired this year's holiday color scheme.

Crimson, scarlet and fuchsia weave in and out of more than 1,000 feet of green garland that garnish every mantle, nook and corner. Towering poinsettia trees flank the hallways, while more than 4,000 ruby ornaments adorn the walls. The Red Room features a cranberry tree, a White House tradition that dates to 1975.

An ivy topiary Rudolph is frozen mid-prance beneath the portrait of former first lady Hillary Clinton, while a garland of green borders Abraham Lincoln's pensive picture in the State Dining Room.

The theme also plays on the executive estate's rich Christmas history with a holiday booklet illustrated by Pamela Carroll, of Carmel, Calif. The book depicts stories ranging from the humorous - a "snowball fight" with tufts of cotton in the East Room in 1835 - to the courageous - a puppy's rescue from the West Wing when a fire broke out during President Herbert Hoover's Christmas Eve dinner in 1929.

"There have been a lot of interesting happenings in this room and all the rooms of the White House over the many Christmases," the first lady said as she showed off decorations in the State Dining Room.

This year's premier holiday party was to be Thursday night, with President Bush and his wife shaking the hand of every guest. The president was to join the party after returning from Jordan.

More than 10,000 guests will attend 24 parties in 20 days. Another 35,000 people are expected to tour the White House over the holidays.

As she discussed the decorations with reporters, the first lady sent her respect to troops serving in Iraq and elsewhere and to their families, who will celebrate the holidays without them.

"It's difficult, especially over the holidays, but it's always difficult when your loved one is deployed," she said. "And I want them to know that the American people are standing with them, especially at the holiday season."

The White House festivities are also renowned for their treats, including 20,000 cookies. Caloric intake was not considered at all, she reported with a chuckle.

Although a marzipan frosted cake crafted to look like a red hat box with a striped bow stole the pastry show, holiday pastry chef Bill Yosses said his favorite creation is the coconut chiffon cake, a customary Southern treat.

"I researched it," he said. "In fact, I even got on the phone with the woman who gave the recipe to Mrs. Bush to make sure that I prepared it the way she prepared it at home."

Click on photo to enlarge or download: The annual gingerbread White House, crafted by former pastry chef Roland Mesnier, incorporates white chocolate versions of the first family's pets. About 300 pounds of chocolate and gingerbread were used to make it. -Photo by Kirsten BrownClick on photo to enlarge or download: The annual gingerbread White House, crafted by former pastry chef Roland Mesnier, incorporates white chocolate versions of the first family's pets. About 300 pounds of chocolate and gingerbread were used to make it. -Photo by Kirsten Brown

Former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier returned to design a gingerbread White House. Made from 300 pounds of gingerbread and dark chocolate and gilded with more than 800 snowflakes, it stars the first family's pets: Scottish terriers Barney and Miss Beazley steer Santa's sleigh on the snow-sprinkled roof, while First Cat, Willie, snoozes beneath a gingerbread birdhouse.

And who gets to eat the house?

"Nobody," said Susan Whitson, the first lady's press secretary. "After it's been on display for that many weeks, you really wouldn't want to eat this thing. We just throw it away."