Review: Holiday Dinner & ‘Christmas Around the World’ Exhibit Warm the Reagan Library

Christmas has never seemed grander and more resplendent than at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley where on Sunday, December 15th, the end-of-year cheer was feted by not just a toothsome three-course meal, but two festive stage acts, and 26 bedazzling trees representing Christmas Around the World. Over the span of the Holiday Dinner and Tour’s three hours, guests — decked out in their formal reds and greens — reveled in the conviviality of the season’s tidings.

The well-organized festivities began as visitors filed inside the corridor leading into the Air Force One Pavilion, the magnificent site of the evening’s dinner and musical performances. One of the docents, dressed as Mrs. Claus, jollily handed out candy canes as the sight of ten enchanting Christmas trees loomed ahead. A closer look revealed these trees are among the platinum-lighted Christmas Around the World exhibit — running through January 5th — which is representative of the two dozen-plus countries President Reagan visited during his eight-year tenure and the individual uniqueness, presented in Yuletide form, of these nations.

The very first tree captures the idyllic and picturesque Switzerland — with ornaments of its flag to go with pinecones and cranberries. Finland’s charming tree brims with candles, a bear visage crafted out of wood, and bells comprised of straw. West Germany is lavishly represented by its burgundy bows, Nutcracker tchotchkes, and imposing height. Canada’s tree has hanging hockey sticks, sleighs, and hockey pucks. The Iceland tree is doubtlessly regal with its alabaster ribbons, ivory flowers, and hand-blown glass white globes. Russia is depicted by strikingly black flowers, gold leaf, and Nutcracker dolls. The United Kingdom is as disarming as one can imagine — with its toy-sized telephone booths and double-decker busses. Ireland, too, is portrayed by an emerald-green motif as well as red berries and Celtic dancers.

The hallway leads into another room where 16 more Christmas trees, as well as a picture opportunity with Santa Claus himself, awaits opposite the Air Force One 27000 where, among other sovereign territories, Japan (hand-fan ornaments, parasol atop its tree), Korea (ceremonial paddle fans), Colombia (coffee bags), Barbados (ceramic fish, crab, deep-sea divers), Vatican City (crosses, Jesus statuettes), Indonesia (tiger and elephant figurines), Italy (grapes, religious iconography, cherub baubles), Jamaica (hummingbirds, musical note trinkets), China (ying-yang symbolism, plush dragons and pandas), Mexico (mini maracas, sombreros, marigold flowers), and France (black-and-white ribbons) are creatively illustrated. That said, the tropical Costa Rica, with its bananas and multicolored parrot decorations, and Brazil, delineated by a bewitching red spliced with peacock theming and what can be described as a showgirl dancer’s feathered headdress crowning the tree, are arguably the visual standouts in this L-shaped space.

Directly below, and under the wings of the aviatic commander-in-chief, the first and second levels of the Pavilion were occupied with cherry-clothed tables splayed in front of a Poinsettias-lined stage, to the left (far) corner of which stood an awe-inspiring 20-foot Christmas tree. Scrumptious bread rolls and butter whetted the appetite before the first course — a rejuvenatingly spring salad adorned with roasted, melt-in-your mouth carrots, dollops of goat cheese, pistachio crumbles, and a drizzle of vinaigrette. The main entrée was simple but succulent — roasted chicken breast with pesto sauce, roasted spinach, and lemon orzo pasta. The flavor profile of the dish was not just varied, but the weightlessness of the pasta complemented the substantiveness of the poultry. To finish, coffee and an apple-cherry blossom, garnished with an apple-cinnamon cream at its base, bookended the culinary journey. Reminiscent of a handmade personal dessert pie, the buoyant tartness of the center was only exceeded by the flaky and savory crust housing the fruit.

Those inclined to imbibe adult beverages may have very well ordered Ronald Reagan Pub’s seasonal offerings — the “Under the Mistletoe” and “Naughty and Nice” cocktails. The former was a sprightly mashup of a margarita (sans salt rim) and cranberry juice, and the latter combined the Moscow-mule concept with cranberry juice along with two limes signifiying its paradoxical name. Mixed to perfection, both served as veritable apéritifs, stimulating a hunger that was invariably satisfied.

Certainly, no Reagan Foundation nighttime happening is complete without live entertainment, and, in this instance, the hundreds of attendees took in the vocalizations of a group and solo artist who performed for thirty minutes each. The touring Satin Dollz, a harmonizing team paying homage to the swing and boogie-woogie eras of the 1920s through 40s, opened with Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.” The trio, clad in sparkling red dresses, added their vintage vocal riffs to “Jingle Bells” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” before seamlessly segueing into Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).”

Interspersing their act with banter, the trinity of lighthearted singers also sang The Sonics’ “Santa Claus” and even wished observers Merry Christmas in Hawaiian style with “Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)” by the effervescent Andrews Sisters who notably pioneered this sum-is-greater-than-its-individual parts singing and were the original inspiration for the Satin Dollz. The classics followed with “Santa Claus is Coming’ to Town,” 1945’s “Let It Snow,” “Sleigh Ride,” and Louis Armstrong’s “Cool Yule.” Effortless as they were, the Satin Dollz applied mirthful vocal flourishes to each number like musicians would with their instruments, winningly reimagining renowned holiday hits.

Opera soprano Katherine Reaves of Fox’s I Can See Your Voice game show, and alum of the Ronald Reagan Library (she worked in the gift shop), closed out the gala by mellifluously singing a collection of Christmas ditties — some quite famous and others interestingly under the radar. For instance, she started with “Santa’s on the Rooftop” by Rosie O’Donnell and Trisha Yearwood before singing Alan Jackson’s “There’s a New Kid in Town.” Alabama’s “Christmas in Dixie” and a Beach Boys Christmas track were yet other fascinating choices where Reaves showed off her full-bodied coloratura and vibrato, making each song her own. Still, fan favorites, such as “Silent Night,” Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” were additionally realized by Reaves who utilized her lilting dynamics en route to demonstrating, overall, a simultaneously calming and powerful presence.

The children in attendance were, moreover, kept in good company by Mr. and Mrs. Claus who guided their adopted elves to color in drawings of Frosty the Snowman, and more, as well as craft ornaments for their Christmas trees at home.

Suffice it to say, 2024’s Holiday Dinner and Tour was emblematic of yet another successful at-dusk outing inside the Air Force One Pavilion of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. By combining the dignified grounds of the 40th U.S. president with the evergreen characterizations of Christmas Around the World, an exquisite meal, and not one but two vocal acts embracing the lore of the most wonderful time of the year, the joviality of the holidays was magically captured in Simi Valley.

Cover image caption: The Christmas Around the World tree exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA features 26 uniquely ornamented trees representing each of the countries President Ronald Reagan visited while in office (the White House Christmas tree can also be found in the White House gallery of the museum). The exhibit runs through January 5th, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Foundation

Upcoming holiday events at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum include a 1) Holiday Lunch and Tour on Thursday, Dec. 19th at 12:30 pm, a 2) free outdoor Menorah Lighting event on Sunday, Dec. 29th at 3:30 pm, and a 3) New Year’s Eve Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 31st at 8:00 pm. For more information on these events, and to purchase tickets, visit reaganfoundation.org.