A Christmas Tree (or Hanukkah Bush) is a familiar sight for most. Though every family is different, they are often covered in colored lights and carefully decorated with ornaments, some of which may hold sentimental value. Trees are perhaps the most obvious and widespread way people hold onto tradition in a city consumed with being politically correct. The city's largest exception, however, is itself a tree. The National Christmas Tree, lit almost every year since 1923.

Many families take pride in their decorations, collecting ornaments from places they've lived or from people they've known. Decorating for the holidays is often a family affair, all ages pitching in. Here, Christopher Harvey (51), hangs an ornament on his family's Christmas Tree.

When perusing the homes of friends and family throughout the holidays, it's nearly impossible not to find something displayed that doesn't seem to make sense. Whether it's a scribbled portrait from a child or a crocheted stocking from a great-aunt, some presents are taken at more than face value. The efforts behind a gift or the memories it evokes often mean more to people than whether it was made by a professional or not. Seen here is a model of a bird sitting on a branch, made by an autistic German boy for an American exchange student.

Even pets can enjoy the holidays! Discarded giftwrappings are a veritably endless source of entertainment for smaller animals.

Although small pets may enjoy the holidays, they can also be dangerous for the animals. Be careful to keep animals away from cords, lightbulbs, ornaments, and out of trees.

Animals are not the only ones who have fun with ribbons and gift wrap! Here, a 12-year-old exhibits "uncommon restraint", in the words of her aunt, while opening a present. Most adults would agree that it's typical of children to rip into gift paper, preferring to get to the present sooner rather than later.

On the outermost edge of the accompanying elements of the National Tree lies Santa's Workshop. The little cabin, erected each year for the celebrations, presents an odd sight to many visitors. Those from colder climes especially struggle with the sight of the smoking chimney beneath sunny, 50-degree skies. In the words of one little girl, comparing it to a similar structure in her hometown, "It's naked, Mommy. Can't Santa make it snow?"

The next things in the lineup are the state trees. These also include trees from territories such as Guam and American Samoa. Each state tree has the same plastic star atop it, and features the same plastic ornaments, customized for each seperate tree by children in the state or territory.