Famous Christmas Trees - The White House

The tradition of a having a decorated Christmas Tree in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning, during the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison. The President's grandchildren, young Benjamin and Mary McKee, led the Harrison household into the second floor Oval Room to take a look at the first White House Christmas tree, which was lit with candles. Filled stockings hung from the mantel, and presents, candy and nuts were distributed to family and staff. President Harrison gave turkeys and gloves to his employees, and he received a silver-dollar-shaped picture holder from his daughter, Mame Harrison McKee.

Over two hundred years the celebration of Christmas at the President's house has evolved from a simple family observance into a grand public celebration.

The earliest Presidents celebrated the Christmas season but not always with decorated trees. Blown glass and glittery decorations had not yet been invented, so natural decorations were used, greenery, flowers, and other items from nature.

As the idea of decorating Christmas trees became popular in the USA, the Presidents decorated the White House Christmas trees as people would in their own homes. As time passed the decorations as well as the number of trees increased. In 1958 Mamie Eisenhower had 27 decorated Christmas trees in the White House. Then in the 1960's the "theme" Christmas trees appeared in the White House and each year the press anxiously awaits news of the latest theme to be used by the current White House couple.

What began as a family gathering has become a national tradition. Over the years, the White House Christmas tree has reflected both the times and the tastes of the First Family. First Lady Frances Cleveland created a "technology savvy" tree in 1895 when she hung electric lights on the White House tree. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of Christmas Tree themes when she decorated the 1961 Christmas tree in toy trimmings from the Nutcracker Suite ballet by Tchaikovsky.

Today, the First Lady selects a theme and taps the talents of American artisans, who give life to the idea. Laura Bush chose "Home for the Holidays" for the 2001 theme, which features replicas of the family homes of the nation's Presidents.