Are you familiar with the official White House Christmas ornaments?  They've been sold by the White House Historical Association since 1981, but I didn't become aware of them until 2003.  My daughter bought one for herself that year, and some as gifts - I fell in love with the little boy on a rocking horse, an ornament honoring President Ullysses S. Grant and his family. 

(To see any of the ornaments or other products for sale in the Museum Shop, you'll have to click on that link because their photos are copyright and they denied a request to use them.  Kinda silly, since it would be free advertising for them and I have nothing to gain from promoting their Museum Shop... But those are the rules!)

I had toyed with the idea of building a collection of ornaments for each of my grandchildren, one that they could have as grown-ups.  If they don't really like that style of decoration, at least they'll have something of value that they can sell or save for their children.  Besides, from a purely practical perspective, they come in a flat box and would be easy to store!

I went on the website to purchase back ornaments from the year of each child's birth, and I've gotten them every year since.  Til now. 

Ornaments are still available from 1998-2007, but they're out of stock for 2008.  I wonder if they cut back on production or if there was a higher demand this year...

The Northern Virginia Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority sells them as fundraisers, as do several other organizations...  If you know anyone who still has them available, please let me know.  I need five to keep the collections intact.