The White House Christmas decorations are among the most iconic and creative holiday displays in the United States. This cherished tradition dates back to 1889 when President Benjamin Harrison placed the first official Christmas tree inside the White House. Since then, every First Lady has taken on the special role of decorating the White House for Christmas, often selecting unique themes that reflect the spirit of the times and the family’s personality.
These decorations, featuring magnificent trees, handcrafted ornaments, and festive motifs, are showcased annually during public tours, inspiring millions and setting a standard for holiday décor nationwide. Join us on a virtual journey through the last four decades of White House Christmas decorations, highlighting the distinctive styles and themes brought to life by America’s First Ladies.
Here is how America’s Frist lady prepared the White House for the Christmas:
1. Nancy Davis Reagan (1981-1989)
1981
Nancy Reagan decorated the White House in a very creative and casual way. She kept things simple and clean. Here’s she posed with the Ronald Reagan in the white living quarters.
1982
On her second Christmas, she decided to embellish the tree with gold angel ornaments with white lights.
1983
That year, the Nancy Reagon was accompanied by Mr. T (Star of the A-team), who was dressed as a Santa Clause.
1985
“Old-fashioned turn of the century Christmas” was the Christmas theme of the year 1985. And guess who the Santa was? Larry Hagman was showed up as a Santa for the Christmas White House tour.
1987
This year Reagon’s bring an 18.5-foot Fraser fir “ musical” tree. White House carpenters made 300 wood candles for this tree and some of the decors were reused from the previous celebrations.
2. Barbara Pierce Bush (1989-1993)
1989
Barbara Bush decorated her first Christmas tree with the cute dolls, which are the famous characters in the storybooks of kid’s.
1991
With the 1,200 needlepoints, ornaments, the blue room tree was decorated. From which, three ornaments were handmade by the First Lady.
1992
This year, the decorations are very classic and traditional. The Christmas tree was adorned by the giant red ribbons and silver ornaments.
3. Hillary Rodham Clinton (1993- 2001)
1993
It was the first Christmas for Hilary Clinton. So, she decided to decorate a Fraser fir tree with cool and funky ornaments.
1994
In the year 1994, the first lady includes an 18- foot tree in the white house Christmas decorations, which was made by American artists and School children.
1995
“Twas the Night Before Christmas, When All Through the House…” themes were expressed by the culinary and elementary schools, embroiderers and architects. The White House pastry chefs also prepared a 70-pound gingerbread model of Hilary’s childhood home.
1997
An 18.5- foot tall Christmas tree is installed in the main hall, which was made by the NNA (National Needlework Association). It is the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
1999
This main focus of this year’s decorations is the series of the gingerbread models of the Washington Monument, Mount Vernon, the Jefferson Memorial, and the White House.
2000
As this the last year for the Clinton, she selected the “Holiday Reflections” theme and decorated the tree with the miniature of the historical places.
4. Laura Welch Bush (2001- 2009)
2003
The first lady embellished the tree with storybook characters. By this, she shows paid homage to her mother-in-law (Barbara Bush).
2006
It had been felt like a white Christmas in the White House. With the “Deck the Halls and Welcome All” theme, Laura decided to decorate the tree with silver ornaments, red ribbons and lots of fake snow on the tree branches.
2007
This year Christmas tree is paid tribute to the country’s National Parks. A total of 347 handmade ornaments was hanged on the tree. All these represent America’s memorials, seashores, parks, monuments, and historic sites.
5. Michelle Obama (2009- 2017)
2009
In 2009, Michelle Obama celebrated her first Christmas as the first lady of the united states. “Reflect, Rejoice, and Renew,” was an environmentally friendly theme for Christmas. After trees being displayed, National Parks Service replanted Six of them.
2011
Michelle Obama wanted to shows respect for the people who serve the country. So, she decorated the main tree with the military medals and Christmas cards which were written by their families.
2012
Obama selected the cool and classic theme of Christmas “ Joy to All.” This year they added a Gingerbread model of the White House, and also a new member was added to the family- Bo (Dog).
2014
Michelle decorated The House with the theme “A Children’s Winter Wonderland.” she also invited defense personnel and their families to be first to visit the installations.
2015
And, for 2015 she chose the star and stripes theme. She decorated the Blue room with a Christmas tree in multiple colors ( Red, Blue, and White). The tree was wrapped in a ribbon, which displays the messages from the U.S troops for their families.
6. Melania Trump (2017- Present Date)
2017
As “Time-Honored Traditions” was the central theme, the decorations were full of mysterious and surprising elements. The white house is decorated with 53 Christmas trees, 71 Wreaths, and more than 12,000 ornaments. Cross Hall and The Grand Foyer were decorated by multiple Christmas trees with beautiful crystal ornaments. Inspired by the 1961 white house holiday “ Nutcracker Suite” theme, all Christmas trees were covered with the artificial snow.
2019
Like the last year, this year, Melania Trump will definitely have some unique and exciting ideas to decorate the White House at Christmas.
So, how do you feel after reading this? Definitely, the decorations are Bizzare but with full of festive vibes. There is always a specific theme, and according to that, all the decorations were set. So, of which year you liked the Christmas decoration theme of the White House the most?
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