The Best White House Christmas Traditions Ever
Source: The Obama White House Archives; Image by Pete Souza
Wherever they landed on the political spectrum, most American Presidents and First Ladies had one thing in common: they loved a Christmas spectacle. Here, a few of Aspen Grange’s favorite White House Christmas traditions.
The Lincoln White House
Breaking bread with new friends was common in the Civil War era—when tumult reigned—but Abraham Lincoln’s son Tad it took it to a more Christmassy level. On Christmas Day, 1864, he invited a handful of starved and frigid newsboys he’d met on the streets of Washington in for a cozy Christmas dinner with his family. Ever-welcoming Lincoln, unsurprisingly, approved—and we can only imagine their delight.
The Roosevelt White House
FDR liked things LIT—literally. He insisted on real candles flickering on his Christmas tree, and always read “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens to mark the season.
Source: whitehousehistory.org/
The Kennedy White House
Leave it to original influencer First Lady Jackie Kennedy to upgrade staid White House Christmas traditions. She kick-started the concept of decorating around a theme (her choice in 1961: The Nutcracker Suite).
The Johnson White House
Onetime socialite First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson took her Christmas cues from the Swinging 60s. In 1967, she decked her White House trees in rainbow hues and popcorn strands that could accurately be deemed “far out.”
The Carter White House
Call it Christmas with Heart: In 1977, First Lady Rosalynn Carter decked the halls—and trees—with ornaments hand-crafted by what is now commonly known as The Arc.
The Bush (Jr.) White House
In 2007, First Lady Laura Bush created the ultimate ode to American grandeur by decking the Blue Room’s towering Christmas tree in some 350 hand-made ornaments, each one painted with a scene from America’s National Parks and Historic Sites.
The Obama White House
Ushering in a more environmentally conscious Christmas, First Lady Michelle Obama selected low-energy LED lights for White House trees in 2009—and even had the National Parks Service replant a few live ones after the season to live on. Later, in 2015, she honored the men, women and families of the American military by adorning the Blue Room tree in red, white and blue—and messages to the troops from their families.
Aspen Grange, home of American-made Christmas decorations and American-made baking supplies, is building the most Christmassy place on the internet.
Sources: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/president-lincolns-christmas-gift-1864; https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/g13943774/white-house-christmas-decorations/