White House Christmas Trees: Reflection of the Yuletide Celebration of the First Family

The tree that is used inside the White House for the Christmas season is probably one of the luckiest trees in the world. Aside from being an icon for the Yuletide season inside the office and residence of the most powerful leader in the United States and around the world, it is also an example of the beauty and elegance of a tree appropriate for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The custom of placing Christmas trees every Yuletide season inside the White House started in 1889 when then President Benjamin Harrison’s grandchildren, Mary McKee and young Benjamin led the entire Harrison household one morning to the 2nd floor and presented the first White House Xmas tree which was candle-lit. Aside from candles, there are also filled stockings that were hung on the mantel, which contained nuts and candies. President Harrison distributed it to household members and staff and he got a silver dollar-shaped picture frame from Mame, his daughter.

It started the tradition rooted from a simple family gathering. Through the years, Christmas trees became the reflection of the Yuletide celebration of the First Family, both on the time and on the taste. There are also various innovations made to Christmas trees inside the White House. One of which is when then First Lady Frances Cleveland suspended electric lights around the tree in 1895. In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy started the practice of Xmas tree themes.

The tradition continued with present U.S. President George W. Bush, with his wife Laura selecting a theme “The Home for the Holidays” for 2001 Christmas season, which featured replicas of different family homes of the country’s past presidents. Truly, White House Christmas trees are symbols of the tradition of strong ties of an American family.