Christmas at the White House

Gallery

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The Cleveland Family tree decorated with red, white and blue electric light bulbs, delighted the president's young daughters. It was placed in the second floor Oval Room of the White House just three years after the installation of electricity. 1894.
The White House Historical Association
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According to popular belief, President Theodore Roosevelt, an avowed conservationist, forbid Christmas trees at the White House. His children surprised the president by hiding a tree in a sewing room closet. December 1903.
White House Historical Association
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President Coolidge was the first president to participate in a public celebration of the Christmas holiday turning on the switch for the "National Tree Lighting" in President's Park. December 24, 1923.
Library of Congress
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Britain's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, delivered speeches on the radio before participating in the National Community Tree Lighting Ceremony from the South Portico of the White House. December 24, 1941.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
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The Eisenhower family steps from the North Entrance of the White House bearing holiday gifts. December 1957.
National Archives and Records Administration
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Caroline Kennedy and a friend inspect the sugar canes on the holiday tree in the Entrance Hall of the White House. December 12, 1962.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
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President Johnson adjusts an ornament on the Blue Room tree as children invited to the White House for a holiday party look on. December 16, 1964.
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library
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The tradition of displaying a gingerbread house in the White House at Christmas began with First Lady Patricia Nixon. December 11, 1972.
The White House
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First Lady Betty Ford and her daughter, Susan, decorate holiday cookies in the White House solarium. December 10, 1975.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
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U.S. Olympic medalist Peggy Fleming performs on an ice stage set up on the South Lawn of the White House for the Carters and their guests at a holiday party. December 22, 1980.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
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President and Mrs. Reagan decorate the family tree in the second floor family quarters of the White House. December 1983.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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First Lady Barbara Bush and her granddaughter top the National Tree. November 27, 1989.
George Bush Presidential Library
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President and Mrs. Clinton participate in a Menorah lighting ceremony in the Oval Office. December 2000.
William J. Clinton Presidential Library
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First Lady Laura Bush receives the Blue Room tree at the North Entrance of the White House. November 28, 2005.
White House Historical Association
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President and Mrs. Obama pose for a portrait in front of the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room. December 6, 2009.
Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

About this Gallery

The White House observance of Christmas before the twentieth century was not an official event. First families decorated the house modestly with greens and privately celebrated the Yuletide with family and friends. The first White House Christmas tree, decorated with candles and toys, was placed in the second floor oval room, then used as a library and family parlor, in 1889 for President Benjamin Harrison and his family. In 1894, three years after electricity was introduced in the White House, the first electric lights on a family tree delighted the young daughters of President Grover Cleveland. In 1909, President William H. Taft's children helped decorate the first tree on the state floor in the Blue Room.