WASHINGTON —  The holiday season arrived at the White House (search) today in the form of an 18-and-a-half-foot Noble fir from Washington state.

The official White House Christmas tree was hauled to the North Portico in a horse-drawn carriage.

First lady Laura Bush (search) was on hand to receive it. She told reporters that workers have already removed the chandelier in the Blue Room (search) so the large tree can stand upright.

Volunteers will labor around the clock in the coming days to decorate the executive mansion for its annual round of holiday parties.

Mrs. Bush will unveil the theme later in the week. Meantime, she's refusing to say what she'll give her husband for Christmas, insisting he's already a "man who has everything" and she hasn't given it any thought.