Decorations feature first family’s dog Bo

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON - “Boflakes” featuring the first dog and ornaments fashioned from zippers are among the new twists on traditional favorites at the White House this Christmas season.

First lady Michelle Obama unveiled this year’s decorations before an appreciative crowd of military families Wednesday, then spent some time doing holiday crafts with military children. The theme for this year’s decorations is “Joy to All,” but first dog Bo seems to steal the show.

There are 40 “Bo-flake” ornaments throughout the White House that feature cutout images of the dog.

There’s a life-size replica of the dog, with a string of lights in his mouth, in the East Garden Room. And there’s an outsized statue of the Portuguese water dog next to the 300-pound gingerbread house in the State Dining Room.

Mrs. Obama said that reflects Bo’s high standing at the White House. “He’s almost as big as the house,” she declared. “He is such a huge personality.”