Christmas

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Volunteers help decorate one of the lower chapels at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., in preparation for Christmas. (Lloyd Villas/The Washington Times)

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Volunteers help decorate The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., in preparation for Christmas. (Lloyd Villas/The Washington Times)

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Volunteers help decorate the Crypt Church at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., in preparation for Christmas. (Lloyd Villas/The Washington Times)

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Darren Murphy, right, watches as his girlfriend, Janetta Deppa of Washington, D.C. is greeted by Aladin the Camel as part of Christmas at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va., Monday, December 16, 2013. Mount Vernon celebrates Christmas with Christmas trees, 18th-century chocolate making, Christmas dancing and story telling, as well as Aladin the Camel. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Historic Trades Interpreters Melissa Reed, left, and Trish Kristoff prepares to melt chocolate as they work to make drinking chocolate using 18-century techniques as part of Christmas at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va., Monday, December 16, 2013. Mount Vernon celebrates Christmas with Christmas trees, 18th-century chocolate making, Christmas dancing and story telling, as well as Aladin the Camel. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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A visitor walks past a statue of George Washington flanked by two Christmas trees during Christmas at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va., Monday, December 16, 2013. Mount Vernon celebrates Christmas with Christmas trees, 18th-century chocolate making, Christmas dancing and story telling, as well as Aladin the Camel. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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The Mount Vernon Mansion can be seen on the great lawn during Christmas at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va., Monday, December 16, 2013. Mount Vernon celebrates Christmas with Christmas trees, 18th-century chocolate making, Christmas dancing and story telling, as well as Aladin the Camel. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is decorated for the Christmas season. (Lloyd Villas/The Washington Times)