It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House.
Michelle Obama continued a time-honoured tradition the day after Thanksgiving as she, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, and Bo, the family dog, watched the arrival of an 18-and-a-half-ft balsam fir tree from Wisconsin.
It was hauled up the driveway by a horse-drawn wagon and delivered to their doorstep.
Cheerful chore: Looking cosy in grey knee-high boots, A-line skirt and a cardie, Michelle inspects the tree with the help of the Obama family dog Bo
The Obama women walked around the carriage and inspected the tree before giving it a thumbs-up. But that was merely a formality as White House staffers had traveled to Wisconsin especially last month and hand-picked the fir.
The tree is headed for the Blue Room, where it will become the centerpiece of the White House Christmas decorations.
It will be decorated to honour Blue Star families, those with a loved one who has served or currently is serving in the Armed Forces.
Focused: The Obama women look serious as they are presented the fir by Christmas tree farm owner Sue Schroeder
The tree came from Schroeder's Forevergreens near Neshkoro, Wisconsin, a farm owned by Tom and Sue Schroeder.
It is the first time one of their 20-year-old trees has made it to the White House, after the couple won a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association on their fourth try.
Mrs Schroeder said: 'It's just very thrilling. Having the tree at the White House is a highlight of our Christmas.'
She added that tomorrow she and her husband would be back at their farm selling Christmas trees to customers.
She added: 'That is also a very important part of Christmas to us.'
Tis the season: The White House Christmas tree will stand in the Blue Room and be decorated to honour those who have families members serving in the Armed Forces
Over the next few days at the White House, dozens of volunteers from across the country will join staff for a marathon of tree-trimming, wreath-hanging and decorating, the results of which will be revealed on Wednesday.
Mrs Obama will give military families, including Gold Star and Blue Star parents, spouses and children, a first look at the festive decorations.
White House chefs Cris Comerford and Bill Yosses and White House florist Laura Dowling will be on hand to show the children how to make holiday crafts and treats.
The winner of the Christmas Tree Association's annual contest has presented a tree to the White House every year since 1966.