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Christmas at the White House

Gallery

  • Yellow Oval Room Decorated for Christmas

    1 of 17

    This ca. 1896 photograph is one of the earliest known images of a White House Christmas tree. The Cleveland family had their Christmas tree upstairs in the Second Floor Oval Room.

    White House Historical Association
  • Roosevelt Family at Christmas: "None Appeared More Astonished than Mr. Roosevelt"

    2 of 17

    According to popular belief, President Theodore Roosevelt, an avowed conservationist, forbid Christmas trees at the White House. His children surprised the president by hiding a tree in a sewing room closet. December 1903.

    White House Historical Association
  • National Christmas Tree Lighting, Coolidge Administration

    3 of 17

    President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to participate in a public celebration of the Christmas holiday turning on the switch for the "National Tree Lighting" on the ellipse. December 24, 1923.

    Library of Congress
  • Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Attended by Roosevelt and Churchill

    4 of 17

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Britain's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, delivered speeches on the radio before participating in the National Community Tree Lighting Ceremony from the South Portico of the White House. December 24, 1941.

    Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • Eisenhower Christmas Photograph

    5 of 17

    The Eisenhower family steps from the North Entrance of the White House bearing holiday gifts. December 1957.

    National Archives and Records Administration
  • Caroline Kennedy and the Entrance Hall Christmas Tree

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    Caroline Kennedy and a friend inspect the sugar canes on the holiday tree in the Entrance Hall of the White House. December 12, 1962.

    John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • President Johnson with Children at Christmas Party

    7 of 17

    President Lyndon Johnson adjusts an ornament on the Blue Room tree as children invited to the White House for a holiday party look on. December 16, 1964.

    Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • Pat Nixon with the 1972 Gingerbread House

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    The tradition of displaying a gingerbread house in the White House at Christmas began with First Lady Patricia Nixon. December 11, 1972.

    Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • Betty and Susan Ford Make Christmas Decorations in Solarium

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    First Lady Betty Ford and her daughter, Susan, decorate holiday cookies in the White House Solarium. November 10, 1975.

    Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • Christmas Cheer: Peggy Fleming Performs for the Carters

    10 of 17

    U.S. Olympic medalist Peggy Fleming performs on an ice stage set up on the South Lawn of the White House for the Carters and their guests at a holiday party. December 22, 1980.

    Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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  • President and Mrs. Reagan Decorating the Family Christmas Tree in the White House

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    President Ronald Regan and First Lady Nancy Reagan decorate the family tree in the Second Floor family quarters of the White House. December 1983.

    Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • Barbara Bush Tops the National Christmas Tree

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    First Lady Barbara Bush and her granddaughter top the National Tree. November 27, 1989.

    George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • President and Mrs. Clinton at White House Menorah Lighting Ceremony

    13 of 17

    President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton participate in a Menorah lighting ceremony in the Oval Office. December 2000.

    William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
  • Laura Bush Speaks at White House Christmas Tree Arrival

    14 of 17

    First Lady Laura Bush receives the Blue Room tree at the North Entrance of the White House. November 28, 2005.

    White House Historical Association
  • Christmas Cheer: President and Mrs. Obama with Tree

    15 of 17

    President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a portrait in front of the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room. December 6, 2009.

    Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

    Show Me More

  • Mrs. Trump Receives the 2019 White House Christmas Tree

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    First Lady Melania Trump receives the official White House Christmas Tree on the North Drive. November 25, 2019.

    Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association
  • President Biden Speaks at the 2022 Tree Lighting

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    This photograph of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. speaking at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on November 30, 2022. President Biden was joined on stage by First Lady Dr. Jill. President and Dr. Biden were on hand to switch on the lights to the National Christmas Tree. The celebration took place on The Ellipse, located just south of the White House. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President and Dr. Biden. They were joined in the festive celebration by host LL Cool J and with performances by Shania Twain, Yolanda Adams, The Estefans, Andy Grammer, Ariana DeBose, Joss Stone, and the United States Marine Band.

    Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association

About this Gallery

The White House observance of Christmas before the twentieth century was not an official event. First families decorated the house modestly with greens and privately celebrated the Yuletide with family and friends. The first known White House Christmas tree, decorated with candles and toys, was placed in the Second Floor Oval Room, then used as a library and family parlor, in 1889 for President Benjamin Harrison and his family. In 1894, three years after electricity was installed in the White House, the first electric lights on a family tree delighted the young daughters of President Grover Cleveland. In 1912, President William H. Taft's children helped decorate the first tree in the Blue Room on the State Floor.

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