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The Blue Room has long been the location of the official White House Christmas Tree. Ed and Cindy Hedlund and their son Thomas, of Hedlund Christmas Farm in Elma, Washington presented this year's 18-foot noble fir to President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush. White House photo by Tina Hager.
The Blue Room has long been the location of the official White House Christmas Tree. Ed and Cindy Hedlund and their son Thomas, of Hedlund Christmas Farm in Elma, Washington presented this year's 18-foot noble fir to President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush. White House photo by Tina Hager.
White House Christmas Trees
The tradition of a placing a decorated 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.

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.

Past White House Trees

The President and Mrs. Bush stand next to the 2001 tree, an 18-foot Concolor fir that was grown in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania. For ornaments, artists from all 50 states and the District of Columbia designed miniature replicas of historic houses from their regions.
The President		 The 1998 Clinton tree was based on the theme 'A Winter Wonderland.' The tree featured fabric snowmen ornaments, knitted mittens and hats, and painted wooden ornaments.
Clintons		 The 1991 Bush tree featured needlepoint tree ornaments, red glass balls, a turn-of-the-century needlepoint village and needlepoint figurines from Noah's Ark.
Bushes		 The 1986 Reagan tree featured decorations based on the theme, Mother Goose Christmas. The trimmings included wooden gingerbread cookie ornaments, state balls, Christmas card ornaments, soft sculpture miniature geese and a soft sculpture angel on top. At the base of the tree were 15 soft sculpture scenes of characters from Mother Goose rhymes.
Reagans		 The 1977 Carter tree featured trimming made by disabled men and women of the National Association of Retarded Citizens. The ornaments were made from nut pods, eggshells, foil, and painted milkweed pots.
Carters		 The 1974 Ford tree featured homemade items that emphasized thrift and recycling. Trimmings included patchwork and handmade ornaments. Blue moire swags lined with patchwork encircled the tree.
Fords		 The 1969 Nixon tree featured velvet and satin balls representing each of the 50 states made by disabled workers in Florida. The ornaments were embossed with the flower of each state.
Nixons
The 1966 Johnson tree was based on an early American theme featuring nuts, popcorn, fruit, wood roses from Hawaii, a paper maché angel and gingerbread cookies.
Johnsons		 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy introduced the tradition of Christmas Tree themes in 1961 with a 'Nutcracker Suite' theme featuring trimmings derived from the ballet by Tchaikovsky. Ornaments included gingerbread cookies, tiny toys, wrapped packages, candy canes and straw ornaments made by disabled or senior citizen craftsmen throughout the United States.
Kennedys		 The silver-tinseled 1954 Eisenhower Tree was the sight of busy activity for the President's family. The Eisenhower grandchildren enjoyed the excitement of opening their presents under this beautiful tree.
Eisenhowers		 President Truman and his family took a picture in front of the White House Christmas Tree in 1947. The following year, the White House interior was undecorated because of the home was undergoing a much-needed remodeling. The President and Mrs. Truman took up residence at the Blair House across the street from the White House.
Trumans		 President Roosevelt delighted in giving gifts, but he rarely opened his during the holidays. On several occasions, the President left his gifts unopened for days after the holidays ended. Two weeks after the end of the holidays in 1941, a staff member found the President's unopened gifts in the second-floor sitting room.
Roosevelts		 President Herbert Hoover and his family posed in front of the 1931 National Community Christmas Tree. Like many First Ladies, Lou Hoover was active in community service throughout her life. When her husband served in the Cabinet, Mrs. Hoover played the role of Mrs. Santa Claus at a Washington, D.C. Children's Hospital.
Hoovers

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