Collection The Ford White House 1974 - 1977
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., the nation’s only unelected president and vice president, served thirteen terms in Congress before rising to...
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First Lady Michelle Obama began her White House Christmas planning with a very simple idea: to include as many people, in as many places, in as many ways as possible.
In 2009, Mrs. Obama asked 60 local community groups from around the nation to "Reflect, Rejoice, Renew," and redecorate 800 ornaments from previous White House administrations. The ornaments paid tribute to favorite local landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
In 2010, the White House celebrated "Simple Gifts." The Blue Room Christmas tree was themed, "Gift of the American Spirit," and it featured prize ribbons from state and county fairs from each state and territory. Mrs. Obama also added a "Military Appreciation Tree" to the White House in 2010. Located near the visitor’s entrance, the tree was decorated with glass bulb ornaments representing the five branches of the military and topped with a handmade dove.
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 official White House Christmas trees continued to pay tribute to American troops, veterans and their families. Medals, badges, and patches from all of the military branches adorned the "Shine, Give, Share" Christmas tree in 2011. Military children spread "Joy to All" in 2012 by decorating ornaments in honor of their parents serving in uniform. In 2013, Mrs. Obama chose the theme "Gather Around: Stories of the Season." Military families created greeting cards in the shape of their home states to trim the official Blue Room Christmas tree.
The Obama family pets have also helped to spread holiday spirit each year. In 2013, the White House displayed life sized, moving replicas of dogs Bo and Sunny made of 1,000 yards of satin ribbon.
A team of volunteers decorates the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House, Nov. 30, 2009.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose in front of the Official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House, Dec. 5, 2010.
President Barack Obama, with First Lady Michelle Obama, delivers remarks at a Christmas holiday reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Dec. 13, 2013.
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., the nation’s only unelected president and vice president, served thirteen terms in Congress before rising to...
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....
On January 20, 1969, Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the thirty-seventh president of the United States. During his time in the White...
Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has created the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Collecting and gifting these unique ornaments...
The White House Historical Association commissions official portraits of the president and first lady. As is the custom, President Barack...
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....
The transfer of power from one administration to the next is a hallmark of American democracy, but it hasn’t al...
Many people approach the decor of their homes as a reflection of oneself. But what happens when a home's interior...
On November 22, 1963, about two hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson took the...
In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy resolved to make the White House a “living museum” by restoring the historic integrity of the...
Since 1878, American presidents and their families have celebrated Easter Monday by hosting an "egg roll" party. Held on the South...