The honor of decorating an official White House Christmas tree has typically belonged to the nation’s first ladies, but today’s elaborate and elegant holiday celebrations were a long time coming.
The first White House Christmas party wasn’t held until 1800. President and Mrs. Adams threw the party for their 4-year-old granddaughter, Suzzanah, who had been living with them. The Adamses invited all the children of “official Washington” to the party.
President Andrew Jackson hosted one of the most memorable children’s parties in 1834. The festivities included games, dancing, a grand dinner and even ended with an indoor “snowball fight” using specially made cotton balls.
President Benjamin Harrison holds the distinction for having the first Christmas tree in the White House. He and first lady Caroline placed the tree in the second floor Yellow Oval Room, which at the time in 1889 was used as a family parlor and library. The tree was donned with candles, toys, and other decorations for the enjoyment of the Harrison grandchildren.
However, it is first lady Lou Hoover who is credited with establishing the custom of decorating an official tree. Historian and “First Ladies Man” Andy Och said the tree stood downstairs in the oval Blue Room, to be enjoyed for the first time by the public. Since then, every first lady has enjoyed the honor of trimming the Christmas tree on the state floor.
First lady Jacqueline Kennedy introduced the concept of themed trees in 1961 with a “Nutcracker” tree. That year, the tree was decorated with ornamental toys, birds and characters from the classic Christmas ballet.
“White Houses have changed where the Christmas tree goes and how they display the Christmas tree,” said Och. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has held a contest to select which tree will be displayed in the Blue Room.
