President Obama made calls to members of each military branch around the country before Christmas Eve dinner, according to a White House press pool report.

"In these calls he expressed his gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families," Washington Post reporter David Nakamura wrote.

The First Family is in Hawaii for the holiday, where "the family gathered to open up their Christmas gifts and sing carols" this morning, Nakamura said.

Later in the day, Obama and the First Lady are expected to drop in at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, to speak with service members and their families.