The Most Magical White House Christmas Decorations Through the Years
The White House East Hall Christmas Tree was decorated and displayed with visitors in mind. Here, in 1934—during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's term—the towering evergreen was draped in tinsel and bulbs.
In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy kickstarted The White House's tradition of themed Christmas decor. For her tree reveal, Jackie O opted for blue velvet ribbons and ornaments from the "Nutcracker Suite."
As formal as some of The White House Christmas decorations were, President Kennedy and Jackie O also had a more personally decorated tree. Here, they're seen posing with it during a candid family Christmas photo.
Lady Bird Johnson ditched the traditional Christmas decor in favor of brighter, bolder jewel-toned ornaments juxtaposed against handmade popcorn strands. The result? A groovy-chic presidential tree.
At The White House, people (and pups!) are all included in the holiday festivities. Here, the Nixons' dogs, Pasha and King Timahoe, and Eisenhowers' poodle, Vicki, gathered around a pup-sized Christmas tree and toy Santa, with three brimming stockings hung by the chimney with care in the background.
A common thread between White House Christmas photos? The First Lady is the star! Since 1929, the First Lady has been responsible for decking the iconic halls. Here, Patricia Nixon opted for eye-catching tinsel garlands and metallic glass ornaments in various sizes.
As stately as White House Christmas decorations can often look, this is not a given aesthetic. In 1975, Betty Ford switched things up with paper chains, popcorn garlands, berry sprigs, and wooden ornaments, making for an informal yet festive spectacle.