The White House Christmas tree is a tradition that dates back to 1889. The very first Christmas tree in the White House was when Benjamin Harrison lived there. It was displayed in the Oval Room on the second floor. The Harrison White House Christmas tree was decorated with lit candles. This very first simple Christmas tree displayed in the White House has transformed into a treasured, national tradition.
The national Christmas tradition didn't take off right away, however. Not all of the presidential families displayed Christmas trees during the holidays. The event became official with the 1929 White House Christmas tree. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover was in charge of the decorations for the Christmas tree in the White House. Since then, decorating the White House Christmas tree has become an honor bestowed upon the First Ladies.
The first White House Christmas tree to display electric lights instead of candles was in 1895. First Lady Frances Cleveland decided to bring the Christmas tree in the White House up to modern standards by decorating it with the popular electric Christmas tree lights.
First Lady Jackie Kennedy started the White House Christmas tree tradition of decorating with a specific theme in mind. There have been many White House Christmas tree themes over the years. Jackie Kennedy's selected theme was inspired by the popular Christmas ballet, "Nutcracker Suite". She decorated the 1961 Christmas tree with candy canes, toy ornaments, and tiny gift packages. The ornaments were made by American craftsmen that were disabled or senior citizens.
The official White House website shows a photograph of a popular White House Christmas tree. It was the early American themed Christmas tree chosen by Lady Bird Johnson. The Christmas tree was decorated with traditional Christmas tree decorations such as gingerbread cookies, popcorn, fruit, and a paper mache angel was perched at the top. The White House Christmas tree was displayed in the blue Oval Room.
One of the Reagan White House Christmas trees had a Mother Goose theme. The base of the tree featured scenes from Mother Goose nursery rhymes. 100 miniature geese decorated the Christmas tree, as well as gingerbread men and ornaments made out of Christmas cards.
The White House Christmas tree tradition has evolved somewhat over the years. Today, the First Lady selects a theme for the White House Christmas tree. Then American artists think up ways to decorate the Christmas tree for the White House. Each year, the National Christmas Tree Association presents the official White House Christmas tree that is displayed in the Blue Room. This has been a tradition since 1966.
The 2007 White House Christmas tree is a Fraser fir that is so large that the chandelier had to be removed to display it in the Blue Room. The 2007 White House Christmas tree theme is America's national historic sites. Ornaments designed by American artisans adorn the tree. Each handmade ornament represents a nationally recognized site in the United States. There are over 300 White House Christmas tree ornaments that represent American historic sites, monuments, national parks, memorials, and seashores.
Nice information! Do you know if either the indoor or outdoor White House trees have an afterlife? I read that the tree in New York's Rockefeller Center will be cut up and the lumber donated to Habitat for Humanity. I assume the RC tree is larger, but I was curious about the White House post-Christmas decisions...?
ReplyDeleteI've been buying the White House Christmas ornament for years, now. Boy, they are something you never see in the antique stores. I'm not a big fan of theme threes, though, we like everything we've collected over the years and my sister-in-law snickers when she sees our tinsel. Karla
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Barb!
ReplyDeleteSalvatore
Great history lesson. I like all sorts of history and find this little bit quite informative. Trust Jacqueline Kennedy to come up with such a cute idea.
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