Obama lights National Christmas Tree

Actor Neil Patrick Harris watches as President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their children Sasha and Malia illuminate the National Christmas Tree during the 90th annual lighting on the Ellipse, December 6, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

2012 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree is seen after illumination during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, December 6, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

2012 National Christmas Tree

President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, prepare to push the button to light the National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse adjacent to the White House in Washington, D.C., on December 6, 2012.

2011 National Christmas Tree

The White House is seen in the background after the National Christmas Tree was lit during its lighting ceremony, on December 1, 2011 on the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington, D.C.

2011 National Christmas Tree

President Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia along with Marian Robinson and First Lady Michelle Obama participate in the National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1, 2011 on The Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington, D.C.

2011 National Christmas Tree

First Lady Michelle Obama is joined by Kermit the Frog as she reads a story during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, .DC, on December 1, 2011.

2011 National Christmas Tree

President Obama, Santa Claus, Carson Daly, Kermit the Frog, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha, sing a song during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 1, 2011 on The Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington, D.C.

2010 National Christmas Tree

As the White House is seen in the background, the National Christmas Tree is lit during its lighting ceremony December 9, 2010 at the Ellipse, south of the White House, in Washington, DC. The first family participated in the annual ceremony to kick off the 2010 National Christmas Tree Festival.

2010 National Christmas Tree

President Obama waves alongside music legend B.B. King and Santa Claus during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C, December 9, 2010.

2010 National Christmas Tree

President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia and mother-in-law Marian Robinson, attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C., December 9, 2010.

2009 National Christmas Tree

The 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3, 2009 on The Ellipse in Washington, D.C.

2009 National Christmas Tree

President Obama presses the button to light up the National Christmas Tree with daughters Malia and Sasha, and First Lady Michelle Obama during the annual lighting ceremony on The Ellipse, December 3, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

2008 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree is illuminated on The Ellipse, the grassy area south of the White House on December 4, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

2008 National Christmas Tree

President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Lindsey Van Horn and Kayleigh Kepler light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse south of the White House, December 4, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

2007 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree is lit during the lighting ceremony at the Ellipse, south of the White House, December 6, 2007 in Washington, D.C.

2007 National Christmas Tree

Singer Sara Evans, President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and Brianna Kinder of Kensington, Md., wave on stage during the 2007 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony on The Ellipse, south of the White House, December 6, 2007 in Washington, D.C.

2006 National Christmas Tree

President George W. Bush (L) and First Lady Laura Bush (R) sing a Christmas carol with Cathy Rigby (2nd L) and Santa Clause (Brad Oscar) after lighting the National Christmas Tree on December 7, 2006 at the Opening Ceremony for the 2006 Christmas Pageant of Peace at The Ellipse in Washington, D.C.

2005 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree can be seen from the South Lawn of the White House December 1, 2005 in Washington, D.C.

2004 National Christmas Tree

Sharing space on the Ellipse with the National Christmas Tree for the 25th time, the National Hanukkah Menorah burns its first two candles December 7, 2004 in Washington, D.C.

2003 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree stands lit on the Ellipse December 4, 2003 in Washington, D.C. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were accompanied by two members of the Washington Boys and Girls Club to light up the tree during the annual Pageant of Peace event.

2002 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree lights up near the White House December 6, 2002, after being turned on by President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and Washington school students, during the 2002 Christmas Pageant for Peace on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C.

2001 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree lights up the Ellipse December 6, 2001 after a lighting ceremony and show, attended by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, in Washington, D.C.

1999 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree is aglow on the Ellipse during the 1999 Christmas Pageant of Peace, December 8, 1999 in Washington, D.C.

1998 National Christmas Tree

Conifir tree; Christmas tree — JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images

The National Christmas Tree stands before the White House after it was lit during a ceremony attended by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, December 9, 1998 in Washington, D.C.

1997 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree glows on the ellipse behind the White House in Washington, D.C., December 4, 1997 shortly after President Bill Clinton flipped a switch to turn the lights on.

1996 National Christmas Tree

President Bill Clinton lights the national Christmas tree with First Lady Hillary Clinton, the president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, John Betchkal, and Allison Green, December 5, 1996 in Washington, D.C.

1994 National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree on December 7, 1994, after President Bill Clinton and his family attended the annual Pageant of Peace.

1993 National Christmas Tree

President Bill Clinton joins First Lady Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton in pressing the button that lights the National Christmas Tree, December 9, 1993.

1992 National Christmas Tree

Thousands of Washington residents gather in the rain for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, December 10, 1992 on The Ellipse in Washington, D.C. President George H.W. Bush threw the switch to light the tree, the last time during his presidency.