Carleton Varney
Special to the Daily News
If the pandemic hasn’t stopped you from taking care of your holiday shopping in brick-and-mortar stores this Christmas, I know the shopkeepers are appreciative of your business.
But those of us who haven’t hit the shops have been searching online for just the right gift. I have been selecting special pies, cakes and food specialties to send my family and friends this season. Easily ordered by telephone or online, Santa is always there, thanks to the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS. What do we always say about the postal workers? They are always there in snow or rain and in sunshine, too.
Carleton Varney
Special to the Daily News
Christmas at the White House is always exciting. I have been lucky enough to visit the executive mansion many times during the holidays and once assisted with the Blue Room tree during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.
As the Carters’ White House design consultant, I enjoyed designing events for first lady Rosalynn Carter and, especially, creating holiday decor for the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s visit to the White House in the 1980s.
During my visit to the White House with my associate Brinsley Matthews for a reception on Dec, 3, I saw that first lady Melania Trump had carried out the holiday decorations in the public spaces with an America the Beautiful theme.