Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. White House Kicks Off Holiday Season Patsy Widakuswara WHITE HOUSE - The holiday season officially began at the White House Monday, as first lady Melania Trump received the 2019 White House Christmas tree. Unlike last year, President Donald Trump did not attend the tree presentation. The tree arrived by jingle bell-adorned horse and carriage, continuing an annual White House tradition to highlight the holiday spirit. "Just a few decades earlier they were still delivering the tree in pick-up trucks," said historian Matthew Costello from the White House Historical Association. "So it's nice that they've made it more festive, to do it with a Christmas-themed sled and a drawn carriage," Costello added. [1]This year's tree, is a 5.6 meters tall Douglas fir grown by Larry Snyder of Mahantongo Valley Farms in Pennsylvania, winner of the National Christmas Tree Association's Christmas tree contest. References 1. https://realchristmastrees.org/Portals/22/2019%20Membership/2019WHTreeSelectionPressRelease.pdf?ver=2019-11-24-003051-887 .