First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the 2009 White House Christmas Tree this morning. The theme is "Reflect, Rejoice and Renew," and the tree will feature over 800 ornaments re-decorated by 60 American communities, celebrating local monuments and institutions. There are ornaments featuring the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore as well as some lesser known national landmarks.
It's tradition that the First Lady chooses the theme of each year's tree. It's never decorated with religious ornaments, instead it's often adorned with a variety of secular ornaments, like bird figurines, historic homes, musical instruments, Victorian dolls, even Wilbur the Pig. Last year, First Lady Laura Bush's "A Red, White and Blue Christmas," tree was hung with over 350 ornaments hand-decorated by artists from around the country. The White House announced, "Each ornament was specially designed to characterize the unique, patriotic spirit of the artist's state, district or territory." (One of the ornaments, designed by Seattle artist Deborah Lawrence, was reportedly left off the tree, since it was emblazoned with: "Impeach Bush.")
While waiting for First Lady Michelle Obama to unveil this year's tree, which arrived at the White House from West Virginia the day after Thanksgiving, we decided to take a look at White House trees of Christmas past. From the Kennedys to the Reagans, here's a look at the official White House Christmas Tree through the years.
White House Christmas Trees
The White House Christmas Tree is the official tree of the President and First Lady. While the first White House Christmas Tree was displayed at the White House in the 19th century, it was President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy that put the tree in the Blue Room, a public space for visitors to see. Here, President Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy are pictured together in front of their ornately decorated tree a few weeks before Christmas in 1962.
The theme of the Christmas tree decorations is chosen by the First Lady. In 1974, First Lady Betty Ford (shown here) asked Appalachian women and senior citizens to make the ornaments by hand. The tree, a Concolor Fir, came from Michigan.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter (shown) chose an antique toy theme in 1978, decorating the Veitch Fir tree with Victorian dolls and miniature furniture borrowed from the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum. Here, she holds one of the dolls and poses in front of the tree in the Blue Room at the White House in 1978.
American President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan decorated their first White House Christmas Tree with ornaments loaned by the Museum of American Folk Art. In subsequent years, they had residents from the drug treatment program, Second Genesis, make the ornaments. In this photo, the former President and First Lady stand in front of a tree in their personal living quarters.
Hoping to promote family literacy, First Lady Barbara Bush chose to decorate this 18-foot Pennsylvania Fraser fir with dolls depicting characters from children's books. President George Bush and Barbara pose in front of the tree in 1989.
For her second White House Christmas Tree, which went up in 1994, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton asked art students to create ornaments. The tree, a Blue Spruce, was brought to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue from Missouri.
Two years later, First Lady Clinton chose a more traditional theme: "The Nutracker Suite." She asked woodworkers and ballet companies to contribute ornaments. The tree, a Colorado Blue Spruce, came from Ohio.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, First Lady Laura Bush urged all Americans to find comfort in family and home. And familiar places. Calling her theme "Home for the Holidays," she decorated the White House Christmas Tree with artist-made miniature replicas of historic houses from around the country.
In 2005 First Lady Laura Bush's theme was "All Things Bright and Beautiful." White lilies and crystal spheres covered the Christmas tree, casting a twinkly glow over the Blue Room.
A closer look at the 2005 White House Christmas Tree.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 4)
ok, what do these comments have anything to do about the beautiful White House trees??? More pics, please..
ReplyKorans and Prayer rugs
ReplyI do not think the gold color is very reflective of Christmas. Not my favorate tree in many years.
ReplyJoanna, Gold is one of the three gifts the Wise Men brought to Jesus, my Savior and Lord and the Only reason for Christmas. Gold reflects the Royal nature and being of the Christ Child. Future kings are brought gold when they are born, Prince William received what was at the time worth 5 million dollars worth of gold at his birth in the 80's. What more would you do to reflect the King of kings then to have gold on a Christmas tree. My family has been putting gold ribbons on our trees for as long as I can remember, because Jesus is royal!!!
Matches the gold curtains in the blue room; did you notice the background decor?
Goes with the drapery in the Blue Room; did you notice the window decor?
Matches the current window decor . . .
well its not going to please eveyone. theres some trees i didnt like in the past years. and its not for us to say what pretty or not pretty its about christmas and there famaily. so unhappy people who put nasty things down. trying being a little postive its christmas in the white house and it all about the kids...
the way i see it is this. to each his own. if you don't like it then don't look at it. i didn't see any of the thingd i like on a tree but you know everyone has different taste. and as far as the bushs or the obamas go, well thank god for them .. how would the world be if everyone had the same taste. i think everyone put to much presure on the first lady to have a fantastic tree for all to see. and they have done so for yrs. lets see any of you come up with something tastful that has not been done. and after working on it for day and night worrying if it will be liked lets see how you like having someone sayit is low class or ugly. i say if you think you can do better then run for office and prove it...i would never want their job
Sorry, Woody, but most Americans say that they are Christians, no matter what you or Obama says. Those are the statistics. And Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, he came to this earth for people like you.
ReplyWrong, donny. Christmas is just the spin that Christians put on this time of year in order ease the pagans into indoctrination. Jesus, if he existed at all, was born closer to late Summer or early Autumn. This isn't even denied by most preachers or Biblical historians or scholars. It's no coincidence that the day is so near the equinox. The changing of seasons has always been a magnet for holidays since the beginning of civilization.
Get off your privileged little rear and read a book. Or maybe actually read that book you claim to follow.
I thought obama said he was going to have a holiday tree this year not a Christmas tree. Well to all good red blooded americans it will always be a Christmas tree. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
ReplyLaura's Tree looked much better.
ReplySo didnt Laura LOL LOL LOL.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, I believe Laura Bush's tree was way too extravagant with all the white lillies. Pretty but too expensive. But you would expect that from people who are mindlessly rich, arrogant and callous to the suffering of those who have little -- like the Bush's
I like Michelle Obama's tree. It is different and unusual. And like a former poster made clear, gold is about Christianity, the gift of the the three wise men, etc.
Michelle Obama wins hands down!
I like the tree very much!! Two Thumbs up for Mrs. Obama--she has been doing a wonderful job!!
Replynope...they can't have one since it expresses a religious theme and the white house and others have already expressed an interest in keeping the seperation of church and state. (paybacks are hell, huh?)
Replyacorns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyAMEN!!! And God bless you...couldn't have said it better myself!
ReplyGood!
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