Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1985

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 9, 1985, costumed Cabbage Patch Kids characters greet excited children in the State Dining Room during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. One of the most popular children's toys of the 1980s, Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were mass produced in the United States for the 1983 holiday season. By 1985, the Cabbage Patch Kids franchise had expanded to include an animated Christmas special and a breakfast cereal. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C