The White House: the most famous home in America, and possibly even the world. Home to the leader of the free world, the President of the United States of America. Many people know the White House for its color and its beautiful South Lawn, but many don’t know about how the most famous home in America is decorated at Christmas. Every President and First Lady has put their own personal touches on the White House, and this certainly continues during the Christmas season.
The First Christmas at the White House
The first Christmas ever at the White House was celebrated in 1800 by then President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams. The celebration was simply a small family gathering for their grandchildren, as Christmas was still yet to be a federal holiday. The first-ever Christmas at the White House that is comparable to modern-day celebrations was celebrated by then-President Benjamin Harrison in 1889, who brought the first-ever Christmas tree to the White House, a tradition that has taken place every year since.
The First Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The very first Christmas tree lighting ceremony would not take place at the White House until a few decades later. On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge participated in the first ever annual White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony took place on the ellipse, the large grass oval-shaped lawn on the south side of the White House. The tree was the one of the first of its kind to have electric lights.
The Themes of Christmas at The White House
The introduction of Christmas themes was started by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. The first-ever Christmas theme at the White House was the “Nutcracker Suite.” The Nutcracker Suite themed Christmas tree was in the Blue Room on the first floor of the White House. The tree was filled with birds, angels, and toys. Mrs. Kennedy also took the initiative to personally thank all the White House staff with handwritten notes, as well as throwing the staff a Christmas party in the State Dining Room. The precedent has been set for the future First Ladies ever since.
The Arrival of the White House Christmas Tree
Every year, the annual White House Christmas tree arrives in style. The White House’s official Christmas tree arrives at the White House in a horse-drawn carriage. The first-ever Christmas tree to arrive at the White House by horse and carriage was probably President Cleveland’s in 1896. The earliest photograph of the annual White House Christmas tree arrival (or at least that I could find), however, was from Christmas 1987 with First Lady Nancy Reagan waving to the press.
Christmas at the White House in 2025
This Christmas at the White House, the annual Christmas tree arrived on November 24th at the North Portico.
Ten days later, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 4th. President Trump spoke at the event, linking the theme of Christmas to national strength and unity, highlighting his love for all Americans, even those who dislike him. President Trump also highlighted how religion is coming back to the USA. First Lady Melania Trump has kept the tradition going inside the White House as well. On December 1st, the First Lady revealed the decorations inside the White House, with the theme of “Home Is Where the Heart Is” highlighting patriotic red, white, and blue in honor of our nation’s 250’s anniversary.
The First Lady also revealed two portraits in the green room, one of President George Washington, and one of President Donald Trump, both made out of Legos. This begs me to ask: did the President assemble the portraits by himself? I suppose we will never know!
Works Cited
- Christmas at the White House (White House Historical Association)
- Christmas at the White House Through the Years (Town & Country)
- Christmas with the Kennedys (White House Historical Association)
- First lady Jill Biden unveils White House holiday decorations (CNN)
- How a Michigan Christmas tree landed in the White House with Melania Trump (Bridge Michigan)
- Melania Trump Proudly Unveils 2025 White House Christmas Decorations—as First Lady Scales Back Tradition Amid East Wing Demolition (Realtor.com)