- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
It is always fun for me to see and read about the Christmas Tree at the White House each year. However, before the 20th century, the White House observance of Christmas was not an official event.
The early First families decorated the house modestly with greens and private celebrations.
The first White House Christmas Tree, which was decorated with candles and toys, was placed on the second floor oval room in 1889 for President Benjamin Harrison and family. In 1894, the first electric lights on a family tree was placed by President Grover Cleveland for his daughters.
In 1909, President William Taft's children decorated the first tree on the state floor in the Blue Room.
The White House at Christmas has always been a magical place for children. From the beginning, memorable parties have been held for presidential children and grandchildren. A very elaborate celebration was President Andrew Jackson's "frolic". This was held for the children of his household in 1834. The party included games, dancing, a grand dinner, and ended with an indoor "snowball fight" with the balls made from cotton.
President Teddy Roosevelt and his wife hosted a "carnival" during 1903 Christmas. This was for 500 children and included dinner, dancing, musical entertainment, souvenirs and a special ice cream treat in the form of Santa Claus. Sometimes, President Roosevelt, because of his conservationist tendency, did not approve of a real tree. However, his son Archie did smuggle a small tree into the White House and hid it in a closet in the sewing room.
President Calvin Coolidge was first President to preside over a public celebration of Christmas, in 1923' with the lighting of First National Christmas Tree.
Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover was the First Lady who established First Ladies decorating a tree in the White House in 1929. Since that time, the decorations have belonged to First Ladies. In 1961 Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the decoration of the tree. That year she chose "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. Many First Ladies have continued a theme for the tree. Patricia Nixon had a Flower Tree in 1969 and Laura Bush had the theme of "All Creatures Grand and Small in 2002, highlighting the importance of White House Pets.
She, Laura Bush, had a "Red, White and Blue Christmas "theme in 2008. Michelle Obama had theme of "Simple Gifts" in 2010.
The tradition of the Tree and decorating the White House continues for 2012 and I hope it will continue for many years.
Information from "A Brief History of Christmas Traditions at the White House" by The White House Historical Association at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/wh...hous-christmas-traditions-at-the-white-house/
The early First families decorated the house modestly with greens and private celebrations.
The first White House Christmas Tree, which was decorated with candles and toys, was placed on the second floor oval room in 1889 for President Benjamin Harrison and family. In 1894, the first electric lights on a family tree was placed by President Grover Cleveland for his daughters.
In 1909, President William Taft's children decorated the first tree on the state floor in the Blue Room.
The White House at Christmas has always been a magical place for children. From the beginning, memorable parties have been held for presidential children and grandchildren. A very elaborate celebration was President Andrew Jackson's "frolic". This was held for the children of his household in 1834. The party included games, dancing, a grand dinner, and ended with an indoor "snowball fight" with the balls made from cotton.
President Teddy Roosevelt and his wife hosted a "carnival" during 1903 Christmas. This was for 500 children and included dinner, dancing, musical entertainment, souvenirs and a special ice cream treat in the form of Santa Claus. Sometimes, President Roosevelt, because of his conservationist tendency, did not approve of a real tree. However, his son Archie did smuggle a small tree into the White House and hid it in a closet in the sewing room.
President Calvin Coolidge was first President to preside over a public celebration of Christmas, in 1923' with the lighting of First National Christmas Tree.
Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover was the First Lady who established First Ladies decorating a tree in the White House in 1929. Since that time, the decorations have belonged to First Ladies. In 1961 Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the decoration of the tree. That year she chose "Nutcracker Suite" ballet. Many First Ladies have continued a theme for the tree. Patricia Nixon had a Flower Tree in 1969 and Laura Bush had the theme of "All Creatures Grand and Small in 2002, highlighting the importance of White House Pets.
She, Laura Bush, had a "Red, White and Blue Christmas "theme in 2008. Michelle Obama had theme of "Simple Gifts" in 2010.
The tradition of the Tree and decorating the White House continues for 2012 and I hope it will continue for many years.
Information from "A Brief History of Christmas Traditions at the White House" by The White House Historical Association at http://www.whitehousehistory.org/wh...hous-christmas-traditions-at-the-white-house/