Behind the Scenes of White House Holiday History

As the adage goes, “There’s no place like home for holidays” – and there is certainly no place like the People’s House in December. ?

With Hannukah officially upon us and Christmas around the corner, the White House has donned its most festive décor designed to warmly welcome the 2024 holiday season. I recently had the honor of walking the Executive Mansion halls to share an inside look at this year’s beautiful White House decorations and festivities with EWTN .

It's an equally special time for us at the White House Historical Association . We are proud to continue a beloved holiday tradition with this year's Official White House Christmas Ornament , a festive holiday wreath inspired by the handcrafted Christmas ornaments used in the White House during the Gerald R. Ford administration. ??

The Official White House Christmas Ornament symbolizes years of festive first family traditions at the Executive Mansion, and there is still time to bring this collectible piece of White House holiday magic into your home this season.

Holidays at the White House

The holiday season at the White House is celebrated with an abundance of glittering décor, decadent desserts, and fresh pine. While these festivities have become a staple in our nation’s capital today, the White House observance of Christmas was not an official event before the twentieth century.

In the early decades at the White House, first families decorated the house modestly with greens and privately celebrated with family and friends. That all began to change in 1889, when President Benjamin Howard brought the first-known Christmas tree into the White House. Adorned with candles and toys, this history-making evergreen stood in the Second Floor Oval Room, then used as a library and family parlor.

Five years later, after electricity was installed in the White House, the first electric lights on a family tree delighted the young daughters of President Grover Cleveland. Once illuminated, Christmas trees began to travel throughout different White House rooms and floors. In 1912, President William H. Taft's children helped decorate the first tree in the Blue Room on the State Floor.?

White House celebrations soon spilled from the People’s House into the nation’s capital. President Calvin Coolidge was the first chief executive to preside over a public tree lighting celebration during the holidays in 1923, which remains a treasured holiday tradition in Washington, D.C. today.?

But it was the Roosevelts who ushered in a new era for the holiday season in their 10 Christmases at the White House. During the holidays, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt focused public attention on the Great Depression conditions by supporting working-class communities and philanthropies. Though the Roosevelts were known to throw Christmas Eve parties for White House staff, the family celebrated their Christmases privately and modestly.?

Decades later, First Lady Jackie Kennedy kicked off the time-honored tradition of decorating the White House according to themes – a practice that is still followed today. Since her inaugural “Nutcracker Suite” theme, other presidencies have celebrated classic motifs that highlight American history, such as “Holidays in the National Parks,” “All Creatures Great and Small,” “Simple Gifts,” and more.?

One of the sweetest traditions at the Executive Mansion is the unveiling of the official holiday gingerbread house, first created by First Lady Patricia Nixon. Since the late 1960s, pastry chefs have created this intricately detailed, candy-adorned house for the enjoyment of the first family and White House visitors alike, displaying them each year in the State Dining Room.?

As White House traditions evolve over time, they are also becoming more diverse. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter lit the menorah at the National Menorah Lighting in Lafayette Square, making him the first president to light a menorah in celebration of Hanukkah at a public ceremony.

Since then, the White House has expanded its celebrations of the holidays and shared the joy of the season with Americans through themed holiday decorations, traditions, and public events. At the Association, we are proud to enhance public access to the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion, during the holidays and year-round.?

Celebrating the 2023 Holiday Season

This year, the White House holiday theme is inspired by how children experience this festive season, focusing on the “Magic, Wonder, and Joy” of the season. Over 142,425 holiday lights decorate the trees, garlands, wreaths, and displays in the White House – all brought to life by more than 300 dedicated volunteers from across the country.

In addition to the White House halls, the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament uniquely captures the cheer of this holiday season – and there is still time to participate in this holiday tradition! Order before December 15 with regular shipping or before December 20 with express shipping to receive your own collectible ornament before the holidays. Learn more about the rich history of these ornaments here .?

Wishing you all a happy holiday season! Subscribe to my newsletter, Experiencing History, for more updates on how the Association is protecting, preserving, and expanding public access to the People’s House in the new year.?