The Obamas Send Out Their Last Christmas Card From The White House

The Obamas have officially sent out their final holiday card from the White House, and it is a gem.

President Obama has broken with tradition for his final White House Christmas card and used a photo of his family instead of a more traditional design.

The card features a photograph of President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Malia, 18, and Sasha, 15. The photo was originally taken at a March state dinner honoring Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau. It was the only state dinner the two girls attended during their dad’s eight-year presidency.

This is the first time the Obamas have sent out a Christmas card featuring a photo of themselves as they usually prefer pictures of the White House covered in snow or one of the rooms decorated for the festive season.

The family dog, Portuguese Water Dog Bo, has been on all the other cards, since 2011, and new dog Sunny joined in from 2013.

While most people loved the dogs featuring on the cards, politician Sarah Palin called the decision “odd” and said there was not enough Christmas in the cards. As a result of her criticism in 2011, President Obama featured the dogs even more prominently on the following year’s card.

In 2013, both dogs featured on a pioneering pop-up Christmas card.

White House Christmas cards have been sent since 1927 but only one other American president has sent out official Christmas cards with photos of themselves on and that was Bill Clinton.

This year’s cards were sent to friends, supporters and members of the media.

Each Obama lady looks positively gorgeous in the picture. FLOTUS is wearing a blue jacquard gown by Jason Wu while Malia and Sasha are in custom embroidered Naeem Khan dresses which cost $20,000 each.

The greeting inside the card reads: “Happy Holidays. As our family reflects on our many happy years spent in the White House, we are grateful for the friends we’ve made, the joy we’ve shared, and the gifts of kindness we’ve received. We wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a wonderful new year.”

The card was signed by the entire Obama family, including dogs Sunny and Bo, and has received a lot of praise on social media.

After the First Family moves out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Malia will be taking a gap year before attending Harvard in fall 2017, while Sasha will finish off high school in Washington, D.C.

Presidents and their children. Who belong together?

Key

1. c.

2. e.

3. d.

4. a.

5. b.