The first Christmas in the White House

Christmas time is quickly approaching, with all the lights and Christmas cheer awaiting us all. Washington DC has beauty awaiting you if you are planning a visit to the capitol. You may be wondering how the celebration of Christmas became a large event at the White House throughout history. In this article we will go back in time to when it all began and the sprit just kept growing through the years. According to later accounts, the first White House Christmas party was held in December 1800. President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams held it for their four-year-old granddaughter Susanna Boylston Adams, who was living with them. They invited government officials and their children to the party. The first known president to place a tree in White House was Benjamin Harrison. The tradition of a placing a decorated tree in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning during his presidency. Interestingly enough not every president in history has been too eager to have a tree in the White House, history tells us that President Theodore Roosevelt had a bad rap. We learned that way back in the 1900s, he banned Christmas trees from the White House. We do not know why he mad this choice, but all other Presidents have welcomed Christmas to the White House.

According to Wikipedia It is verifiable that there was no Christmas tree in the White House in 1902, 1904, 1907, and 1922. The lack of a tree in 1902 was due to the fact that President Theodore Roosevelt had not ordered one by December 23. The first White House Christmas tree, pre-electricity, was decorated with candles and toys and placed in President Benjamin Harrison’s living quarters. President Benjamin Harrison was the first to stand a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments and candles inside the White House for family and friends to enjoy in 1889. The ritual became an annual tradition in 1929 when first lady Lou Henry Hoover decorated her indoor tree. Theodore Roosevelt’s commitment to conservation is well known. Less well known was the 26th president’s ill-fated attempt to ban Christmas trees at the White House. Why? So many trees were cut down for the holidays, he believed, that it was contributing to deforestation—and he wanted to set an example for the country. Which is a powerful stance and a much needed point to make to the nation.

All about the Christmas Tree's

The White House has many Christmas Trees, There are 41 Christmas trees throughout the White House. Approximately 6,000 feet of ribbon, over 300 candles, and over 10,000 ornaments were used this year to decorate the White House. Over 78,750 holiday lights decorate the trees, garlands, wreaths, and displays in the White House. The Eisenhowers held the record for the most Christmas trees in the White House — 26 — for years, a number which has been eclipsed many times in the last few decades. Just before Christmas in 1958, President Eisenhower got his family together in front of the Christmas trees outside for a portrait. If you recall back in the day a lot of people started putting candles on their tree, Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. As you can imagine Christmas at the White House is a big deal, and takes a whole lot of hands on deck to get the job done right. Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has been proud to design and manufacture the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Collecting and giving these unique ornaments has become a holiday tradition for millions of Americans. The official Christmas décor can be credited to her vision. One of the many duties assigned to the First Lady is decorating the White House for the holidays each year. It will come as little surprise to learn that Jackie Kennedy is the founder of this festive tradition. So, with that being said ever First Lady has the honor of making the White House her own little Christmas Wonderland, and through the years they all have done an exceptional job with the task.

If you are wanting a White House ornament of your own, you are in luck! The U.S. Postal Service has teamed with Rhode Island-based ChemArt for this year’s White House Holiday Ornament, now available at approximately 7,000 Post Offices across the U.S.

Capitol Express Tours; Seasons Greetings

Capitol Express Tours located in Washington DC is here to help you get the full Capital experience for this holiday season. Booking tours for all the major events you will want to attend as one who loves the Holidays! Book a guided tour today to make sure your holiday visit to the Nations Capital goes smoothly without incident and you can learn from locals about all the history.