AMA: The White House Christmas Party

Answering your questions about the White House Christmas Party

I was fortunate to attend another White House Christmas Party last weekend and got a lot of questions about it on social media. So, I’m rounding up all the answers here — like how I got an invite, how this year’s event differed from last year, and whether I got to meet or see anyone exciting. (Spoiler alert: yes, everyone in attendance gets to meet and shake hands with the president and First Lady, as well as take a professional photo with them — mine is shared below).

The White House library, decorated with vintage ceramic Christmas trees and ribbon, along with candlesticks of previous First Ladies displayed behind glass

Before I get into the nitty gritty, I cannot stress this enough: The White House is extraordinary. It is beautiful and humbling to be a guest there. Literally I get chills every time I see the Lincoln or Washington portraits because I am reminded that they lived and worked in that building.

But as extraordinary as the pomp and circumstance is, most of the presidents, their families, and those who work for them are very, very normal. In fact, most politicians are incredibly boring. There is so so much misinformation about the people themselves, but let me tell you: I have interviewed cabinet secretaries, presidential candidates from either party, White House staffers … these are all very normal people, and I think how normal they are would really, really surprise people.

The Lincoln portrait

As for what I wore to the event, here it is: the dress! This is the best dress because it’s very warm (you have to stand outside the White House before going through security and I remember being freezing last year so I took the weather into consideration). It’s also quite classic but the addition of the shawl (which is part of the dress, and ties on to the sleeves) adds so much drama. I wore it with a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes I have had for at least seven years, my favorite Dorsey earrings, my Oura ring stacked beneath my Spinelli Kilcolln ring, and a metal clutch I got for $5 at a flea market. I did my own hair and makeup and let me just say the hero products of the night were these eye masks, which I popped in the hotel mini fridge before putting beneath my eyes, and this volumizing hair product, which I sprayed on my roots while damp and before blow-drying. It adds so much volume.

dress // earrings // silver heels

How did you get an invite to the White House Christmas Party?