George Griffith has seen presidents come and go. Regardless of whether he agrees with their politics, the Johnstown, Pa., florist decorates their home every time he is asked.

Griffith recently spent eight days with other florists readying the White House for the holidays. It's a task he has undertaken for more than 30 years.

“The florists come from all over the country, and (we) work very hard,” he said. “The pressure is always there.”

They labor 12 and 14 hours a day and are not paid for their services.

“It gives you tingles,” Griffith said of working in the executive mansion. He has served 10 presidents, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower.

"It is always humbling to go into that house," he said.

This year’s theme was “A Red, White and Blue Christmas." Two 13-foot statues of Uncle Sam greet guests, in a display with eight poinsettia arrangements in red drums.

The official White House Christmas tree – an 18 1/2-foot Fraser fir – is in the Blue Room, adorned with 369 hand-decorated ornaments. Artists from around the country designed the decorations.