Christmas at the White House Through the Years
See how the leaders of the free world and their families have decked the halls.
Timeless as they may seem, Christmas trees have not had a place in the White House for as long as you might imagine. For most of the 19th century, first families decorated the president's residence with low-key greenery—simple wreaths, garlands, and ornaments. President Benjamin Harrison erected the first Christmas tree in the White House in 1889, decorated with candles, toys, and ornaments to delight his grandchildren, but it wasn't until Cleveland's presidency that the first Christmas lights appeared in 1894. Take a look at the White House Christmas decorations throughout the last century.
1934
The White House East Hall christmas tree was to be admired by visitors, while President Franklin Delano Roosevelt also had a family tree on the second floor.
1939
During his 12 years in office, FDR had many family Christmas traditions, such as lighting the tree with real candles, a reading of Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol, and a Christmas day church service.
1941
Just as America entered World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Roosevelts welcomed Winston Churchill to the White House for Christmas.
1957
The 26 trees decorated throughout the White House during the Eisenhower administration held a record until 1997.
1958
President Eisenhower poses for a Christmas portrait with his family outside the White House.
1960
The Eisenhower family stands in front of their Christmas tree, hung with silver tinsel, on their last year in the White House.
1961
The White House tradition of decorating in Christmas themes began with Jacqueline Kennedy when she chose to decorate the tree with ornaments from the "Nutcracker Suite."
1962
President Kennedy poses in a candid family photo with his wife, children, dogs, and in-laws on what would be his last Christmas.
1965
On a visit to the United States in 1965 just before the holidays, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his wife are shown the White House Christmas tree by Lady Bird and President Johnson.
1967
You might call the White House Christmas tree decorations of 1967 almost psychedelic: Lady Bird Johnson opted for strands of popcorn and an eclectic mix of colors and ornaments.
1969
The Nixons' dogs, Pasha and King Timahoe, pose in front of a miniature Christmas tree with the Eisenhowers' poodle Vicki.
1970
Since the Hoover administration in 1929, decorating the official White House Christmas tree has been a responsibility of the First Lady. In 1970, Patricia Nixon trimmed the tree with glass ornaments and tinsel.
1971
Richard Nixon and his wife Patricia pose with their daughters and sons-in law in front of the Blue Room Christmas tree.
1972
Patricia Nixon shows off the White House's Cross Hall decorated for Christmas with holly and trees.
1974
For her first Christmas as First Lady, Betty Ford chose to decorate the Blue Room tree with ribbons and an array of classic ornaments.
1975
Betty Ford decided on a less formal look when she decorated the 1975 Christmas tree with paper chains, popcorn strands, and wooden ornaments.
1977
First Lady Rosalynn Carter decorated the 1977 White House Christmas tree with ornaments made by members of the National Association for Retarded Citizens.
1978
In 1978, Carter decorated the Blue Room tree with antique toys lent to the First Lady by the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum.
1981
Although Nancy Regan decorated the Blue Room tree as well, the Reagans pose here in front of a more casual tree in the White House living quarters.
1982
First Lady Nancy Reagan chose to pair white lights with gold and angel ornaments for her second Christmas in the White House.
Lyndsey Matthews is the Destination News Editor for AFAR; previously she was a Lifestyle Editor across all of Hearst Digital Media's brands, and a digital editor at Martha Stewart Weddings and Travel + Leisure.
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