Honoring Ford in the 2023 Official White House Christmas Ornament

Presidents and first families have celebrated many holiday traditions at the White House for generations, including lighting the National Christmas Tree, decorating a Blue Room tree and hosting holiday receptions. And now, the 2023 holiday season has officially kicked off: the White House Christmas tree arrived right before Thanksgiving, and tomorrow, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at President’s Park.??

At the White House Historical Association , we’re proud to contribute to another classic holiday tradition that everyone can take part in – the Official White House Christmas Ornament – a unique collectible for families across the United States and abroad.??

In 1981, the creation of an ornament program to provide access to the rich history of the White House was first suggested to First Lady Nancy Reagan, and the Association released the first ornament, a golden angel. Forty-three ornaments later, the Association’s 2023 Official White House Christmas Ornament commemorates Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States.?

Each ornament sequentially honors a president or White House anniversary and embodies the Association’s mission to open the doors to the rich history of the “People’s House.” We give a history lesson every year – front and back – with the ornament. Every decoration and design choice on the piece illustrates the life and legacy of the individual or anniversary we’re honoring.?

Inspired by history, the Official White House Christmas Ornaments are a wonderful teaching tool for telling the story of the White House during a specific presidency or anniversary. Anyone can own a piece of history with the purchase of this year’s unique ornament.?

Honoring President Gerald R. Ford Through the Official White House Christmas Ornament?

This year, the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament brings another piece of White House history to homes across the country and tells the life and legacy of President Gerald R. Ford. The Ford ornament is a festive wreath inspired by the handcrafted Christmas decorations the Fords selected during their time in the White House.??

On the front of the ornament, we feature dolls, cherubs, doves, stars, flowers, gingerbread men, candles and pentagon balls. This pays homage to the three holiday seasons the Fords spent in the White House. First Lady Betty Ford’s themes often revolved around handcrafted decorations and homemade treats to inspire the public to incorporate thriftier items into their holiday decor.?

On the back of the ornament, we selected five emblems related to the life and presidency of Gerald R. Ford:?

• “Troop 15” signifies Ford’s success in earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievable rank in the Boy Scouts of America. As a boy, Ford joined Boy Scout Troop 15 of the Trinity Methodist Church, where he achieved this rank – the only president to do so.?
• Ford’s athleticism is represented by a football embellished with “48,” the number he wore when playing for the University of Michigan. Ford was a standout athlete in high school and college. First Daughter Susan Ford and I recently joined the University of Michigan Athletics podcast to discuss Ford’s Michigan football legacy.?
• A likeness of Liberty recalls the family’s famous golden retriever. After First Lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer, Susan Ford and Personal Photographer to the President David Hume Kennerly arranged a thoughtful surprise to boost spirits: an eight-month-old golden retriever named Liberty, who quickly settled into life at the White House and became quite popular, often receiving fan mail.?
• A Bicentennial pin signifies President and Mrs. Ford’s contributions to celebrating the 200th anniversary of America’s founding. In 1976, the Fords participated in a wide variety of commemorations, dedications and public events and oversaw the addition of patriotic artwork and furniture to the White House Collection.?
• And lastly, an emblem for the USS Gerald R. Ford?(CVN 78) highlights the first-in-class aircraft carrier commissioned to honor the thirty-eighth president as the flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.?

As you can tell, during their time in the White House, the Fords made and celebrated history in significant ways. To learn more about President Ford, explore recent episodes about Ford on my podcast, The White House 1600 Sessions – An Ordinary Man: President Gerald R. Ford and Home Again with Susan Ford Bales.?

Through collectibles like the Ford ornament, we can further our mission to protect, preserve and provide public access to the rich history of America's Executive Mansion.?

Learn more about the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament and purchase the ornament to help preserve our shared American story for generations come.?