Christmas of 1929 was a snowy season in the nation’s capital. President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Hoover planned to celebrate the holidays without their family, including their grandchildren Peggy Ann and Peter who lived in California. The grandchildren were Herbert and Lou’s pride and joy, and Mrs. Hoover shopped around town at the “five and dime stores” to buy gifts for them despite their absence from the White House.1
President Hoover continued the tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, started by President Coolidge in 1923. This was the first time the tree was decorated with both lights and ornaments.2 Hoover lit the tree on Christmas Eve as the Marine Band, accompanied by choir students from local junior high schools, performed “O, Come All Ye Faithful.”3 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were also present at the ceremony, gifting Christmas flowers to the First Lady. White House festivities were in full swing as the Hoovers hosted a Christmas Eve party for Cabinet members and their children.4 During the celebration a fire broke out in the West Wing, which was quickly destroyed despite the efforts of local firefighters. Mrs. Hoover remained poised throughout the conflagration and entertained the guests as they safely exited the White House.5