Holidays, Unwrapped

After another showdown, Congress passed the payroll tax bill on Dec. 22 and adjourned until mid-January. Legislators returned to their districts and the president jetted to Hawaii.

Flipping through the holiday news files, we bring you these snapshots of DC:

Capitol Christmas Tree © Office of the Architect of the Capitol

Here is a photo gallery of DC all dressed up for the holidays.

President Obama goes shopping with the masses -- With his family already in Hawaii, the president and First Dog Bo went shopping at Best Buy, PetSmart and a suburban pizzeria. Photo gallery.  Story with raw, play-by-play video footage.