In
1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition
of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas
tree. She decorated a tree placed in the oval Blue Room
with ornamental toys, birds and angels modeled after Petr
Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’ ballet.
Mrs. Kennedy reused these ornaments in 1962 for her ‘children’s’
theme tree. Set up in the North Entrance, this festive
tree also featured brightly wrapped packages, candy canes,
gingerbread cookies and straw ornaments made by disabled
or senior citizen craftspeople throughout the United States.
Inset
Left: The Kennedy's 1961 Christmas Card ~
Credits:
John F. Kennedy Library, Robert Knudson - White House
In
1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition
of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas
tree. She decorated a tree placed in the oval Blue Room
with ornamental toys, birds and angels modeled after Petr
Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’ ballet.
Mrs. Kennedy reused these ornaments in 1962 for her ‘children’s’
theme tree. Set up in the North Entrance, this festive
tree also featured brightly wrapped packages, candy canes,
gingerbread cookies and straw ornaments made by disabled
or senior citizen craftspeople throughout the United States.