Monday
Jan262009
Hostess Gift Mystery Revealed
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 3:10 PM
When Mrs. O and her husband first arrived at the White House on January 20, she was carrying a present in one hand. It was a large rectangular box wrapped with red ribbon.
Until now, attention has been turned on the ceremonies and the celebrations. But now that the hoopla has calmed down a bit, we can all return to an unanswered question: What was in the box?
It was a hostess gift from Mrs. O to Mrs. B, who has said that she now plans to use her time out of the White House writing her memoirs. But unlike many hostess gifts-candy, wine, flowers-this one was a highly personalized selection. It was a leather-bound journal inscribed with a quote from Louis L'Amour, the American writer known for his iconic Western novels: "There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning." Accompanying the journal was a pen engraved with the date January 20, 2009. What better way to start your memoirs?
This is the first known time that an incoming First Lady has brought a gift to an outgoing First Lady. It's not fashion news, but we think it is a style worth noting.
Reader Comments (44)
It is, indeed, a "style worth noting," because real "style" is more than just the clothes on your back, the shoes on your feet, and the bag on your arm.
I enjoy your blog. Carry on.
Mrs. Obama is a classy woman, all the way.
Even though Ms. Bush publicly snubbed the Obamas by not making the Blair House available when they needed it after the new year, Ms. Obama still had the graciousness to bring her a gift.
Pure class! I am sure Laura really appreciated such a thoughtful gift.
Mrs. B did not snub the Obamas. Blair House was reserved long before, for guests of the sitting president. It was not up to Mrs. B to decide who gets to stay there. We do not need to trash other people in order to make the Obamas look good. The Obamas are gracious people, and believe it or not, Mrs. Bush earned that reputation too.
Very classy gesture. I thought Mrs. B was a pretty classy woman herself.
i love that gift!
very sweet and thoughtful!
This is what is known as midwestern good manners...unlike the outgoing First Lady, who promptly handed it over to a lackey without any sign of graciousness. Good riddance!
I read somewhere that Laura gave Michelle a similar gift (leather portfolio/journal/diary) to record her White House memories. Kind of a takes one to know one sort of thing, huh?
In response to Whitebow,on Blair House: Didn't anyone in the Bush staff remember NOT to book Blair House for anyone other than the newly elected President for the month of January 2009????
I agree with DonaS, its tradition that the Elect stay at Blair House, so it should have been free regardless.
After a little bit of research, I discovered that the Blair House wasn't refused to the Obamas by the Bush Administration, but that a guest had already planned to stay there. Traditionally the house is traditionally available to the President-Elect after January 15.
Anyhow, what a thoughtful gift from Mrs. Obama. I really love this blog, showcasing her style and poise! She really is inspiring!
A lovely gesture from First Lady Michelle Obama to First Lady Laura Bush. I do not believe Mrs. Bush snubbed Mrs. Obama by handing the gift to someone for safe keeping. Whatever one might think of the previous administration I always thought Mrs. Bush to be a gracious person. I feel the same about Mrs. Obama and I'm pretty sure Mrs. Obama would not like to draw any negative conclusions on that special day in her life.
What a lovely gesture. There IS something very midwestern about it, as Amy mentioned above--at least it appears such for this midwestern-born man. I wish Mrs. Bush much luck on her writing journey.
To touch briefly on the discussion about Blair House. Margaret Carlson reported that Blair House was booked *after* the Obamas had asked to stay there. Of course, my belief is that the Bush administration was expecting to use the house but hadn't invited the former PM of Australia until after the Obamas asked to stay there. Water under the bridge.
Cheers.
devans00 - You need to get your facts straight. The Obamas not getting Blair house earlier than they were suppossed to has nothing to do with Laura Bush. The house was already being occupied by a visiting foreign dignitary and President Bush denied the request because of this. If the house had been empty I am sure it would not have been a problem for them to move in early. You people that will make up anything to suit you are just ridiculous.
Amy - Where did you get that? From the national idiots are us? Give the Bush's a break already. Jesus.
DonaS - Blair house is the "guest house of the President" not the president elect - therefore he can have whomever he pleases come and stay there and "traditionally" it is available for the president elect a few days prior to the election not up to 2 weeks early.
You know, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama are both women to admire. We are lucky to have had both of them as First Ladies. I would also add that when Michelle was being very unfairly maligned by right-wingers, Laura had kind words for her. And Michelle has gone out of her way several times to say she likes Laura a lot.
Since they are both very gracious to each other, let's follow their lead and be gracious as well... No need to refight these old battles!
By the by the Chief of Protocol of the United States is responsible for the operation of Blair House.
I agree with Doreen. The Obamas & the Bush family have modeled civil behavior. Let's do the same. Aren't you tired of the fighting?
Total class. It's called good upbringing, learned from her mother. You always bring a gift to the house you are invited to, no matter what the event.
Good manners are always in style.
NOW CAN WE PLEASE GET BACK TO FASHION ?
Mrs T - have you found out any more details about fashion Mrs O was wearing at the staff ball ?
First Lady Michelle Obama personifies grace, a quiet dignity and a genuiness that is unresistable! How very thoughtful of her to bring a well thought out hostess gift form former First Lady Laura Bush. May the new traditions of civility continue!
Doreen is so correct. One of the reasons I visit this blog is because it doesn't get as juvenille as so many others. Please keep it that way.
Thank you for this post! As many have already said, poise and grace have to do with more than just fashion. Classy lady, classy blog. Keep it up.
Doreen is so correct. One of the reasons I visit this blog is because it doesn’t get as juvenille as so many others. Please keep it that way.
Both Laura and Michelle are gracious and classy women. There is more than one way to display class. I don't understand the constant bickering and unneccessary put downs.
well said Doreen, I could not agree more,
and as RJT said, CAN WE GET BACK TO FASHION?!?! lol
anyone wanna play a guessing game as to what Mrs. O will wear on the cover of Vogue?!?!
The Blair House was booked 6 months before for ex- Pre minister of Australia, John Howard for few days. That was done 2 months before the election date. No need to blame Laura, people love to whinge about unnecessary things. I had great respect for both Laura and George, even though intellectually he wasn't suitable for the job. They were nice people, appointed 2 African Americans for the secretary of state position. It's nice to see equally gracious couple moving in to the white house. Mrs. O rocks!
Oh dear! Thanks for the best efforts to keep the conversation focused on fashion.
But to Doreen's point, re-watch The View segment. These women clearly have a lot of respect for one another and we should too.
Thanks for the information on the gift. That is lovely.
I want to echo what Mrs. T. said. Laura Bush defended Michelle Obama during the election season, and Mrs. O mentioned on "The View" how touched she was by that.
I appreciate that your style news is not mere fashion news. Hats off to you and all the other missus.
Bringing your hostess a gift is polite and classy. Putting a log of thought into something very specific you know they will like...now that is style and grace!
Mrs O. is 100% class and taste, that too, is fashion!The personalization of the present is the utmost in gift giving, it shows thought and planning.
Very classy. As much professional heat that the two men (Bush and Obama) have generated towards each other, its great to see the respect the women have for each other.
I am going to echo that the gift was indeed classy, but would you expect anything less, from First Lady Michelle?
This is one of the few blogs I read because it is always positive...please send the trolls away who want to bicker about things that really aren't the subject of such a lovely post or blog.
Trolls be gone!!!!
What a wonderful gift for both women. Each one has shown great class durring the transition.
I'm shocked that a hostess gift hasn't been given before. I suppose there's a first time for everything though, it seems like a good tradition to start.
That was a very thoughtful gift. I love the new First Family, every one of them.
I think the person that implied that another commenter was an idiot should be banned from this blog. I too enjoy the nicer tone of this site and name-calling such as "are you from idiots-r-us" is mean.
I am so happy and thankfull that her style and culture or personality has been such an inspiration to so many. Just simply to be nice to others is a Blessing and maybe a "Style" that will catch on in the US and abroad.
I like the idea of observing Michelle Obama's fashion regardless of politics. It is nice to have somebody who represents normal looking, normal sized middle aged women (yes I actually think 45 is middle aged and not young) in the fashion world. Princess Diana got too thin and too surreal. I feel Michelle Obama is sort of Everybody. I also think the mean spirited talk is unhelpful. We are supposed to be all on the same team now, which means partisan garbage in the vein of Nancy Pelosi is not concilliatory. If people who did not vote for Obama should embrace the new White House hoping for the best, then people who did vote for Obama should wish the Bushes well in their next life and we all just move on and forward.
Mary, really? You throw out an insult to one of the most powerful leaders of the Democratic party as a plea for a stop to partisan bickering? Pardon me for noticing the hypocrisy of that part of your comment.
I agree with your assessment of Mrs. Obama. She rocks!
Bye.
Those 2 ladies are both gracious. Remember Mrs B defended Mrs O from the media furore way before she even become 1st lady in waitING. Be reasonable, Mrs B was not going to go around carrying the gift. I am sure it is with her in TX!
Michelle Obama is a role model for ALL women and girls to emulate, regardless of their race, creed or color! I am looking forward to watching her grace and style over the next EIGHT years!! Thank you so much for creating this website.
What a charming gift! Seems very thoughtful (as in, specifically selected with Mrs. Bush in mind) and such a nice gesture.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
The reason this is "the first KNOWN time that an incoming First Lady has brought a hostess gift to an outgoing First Lady" could be that a hostess gift, until recently, was always sent after an event. It is a private thank you. There is a good possibility that all First Ladies have given/received hostess gifts from each other but they followed polite decorum, which does not allow a public display.
When you are invited to dinner, you are being asked for your presence, not a gift. When you write your thank you note, a small gift (or flowers) is correct.