To celebrate and pay tribute to past White House holidays and honor the former First Ladies, four unique and decorated trees stand in the Grand Foyer.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy started the tradition of having an official White House Christmas theme. Jackie O loved the ballet, and so her first Christmas theme for the White House was the Nutcracker.
This year First Lady Michelle wanted to pay tribute to the themes the First Ladies had chosen over the years, so she used their ornaments on four trees in the White House Grand Foyer. You can check out some of them below!
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- To celebrate and pay tribute to past White House holidays and honor the former First Ladies, four unique and decorated trees stand in the Grand Foyer.
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- Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1961 theme “The Nutcracker” portrayed her love for ballet, classical music and culture. Mini wrapped presents were incorporated.
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- Lady Bird Johnson celebrated Christmas with an “Early Americana” theme. The trees were decorated with gingerbread ornaments and toy soldiers.
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- Pat Nixon’s first theme was “State Flower Balls” in 1969. This Illinois State Flower Ball is a select piece from the original collection.
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- Betty Ford’s family traditions were based on creativity. This fabric bow represents a typical “Homespun Christmas.”
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- Rosalynn Carter enjoyed “Classic American Christmas” in 1977, using all natural materials as wood, pinecones, and even peanuts.
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- Nancy Reagan celebrated an “Old Fashion Christmas” at the White House. She used glitzy shiny ornaments and angels to decorate the trees.
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- Barbara Bush used tiny books and popular characters from children’s books to decorate trees in 1989, reflecting her favorite cause of literacy.
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- Hillary Clinton embraced a “Winter Wonderland” theme in 1998, creating a contemporary twist to decorate the White House.
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- Laura Bush chose the patriotic theme “Red, White and Blue Christmas” in 2008. Decorations included flags, oversized nutcrackers, and drums.
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- Michelle Obama decorated the Blue Room tree in 2011 in honor of the military with medals and badges decorated on ornaments.
