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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 4 of 4)
As much as I don't like the Obama Administration - I admit that I Michelle's idea for the tree isn't too bad. Certainly could have done worse.
ReplyNow... If only everyone that replied to this could be so mature as to stay on topic... That would truly be a Christmas miracle...
Michelle Obama's tree is absolutely gorgeous. She really does remind me of Jackie Kennedy. The two 1st Ladies that really knew fashion, style, and how to decorate the White House. Michelle O dresses and acts with class too!!
ReplyIsn't this the tree that H. Clinton decorated with condoms and miniature sex toys? Wonder why they didn't mention that.........Wake up America before it is too late.
ReplyI could have lived months on the money it takes to decorate their homes for Christmas. I f only the people in the white house could live in my shoes for a day,I think they would be more careful with the money they spend.
ReplyWhat I really want to know is, why the HELL (excuse the curse) is Obama who praises Islam, putting a Christmas tree in his home? Grant it, I'm Roman Catholic, and I don't always jump to place a Christmas tree in my home due to the fact that some people, with the media's help, have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It was, is, and always will be the day to celebrate the birth of mine and others Lord, Jesus Christ. CHRISTmas...hello!! Not X-Mas. Not Happy Holidays. CHRISTmas! And I also do not think Obama's fellow Islamic brothers and sisters would find this too appealing that he is placing a Christmas tree in his home. Though it may be an old tradition, Obama has broken many traditions: being bi-racial (nothing wrong with that), being non-Christian (again, nothing wrong with that), and being young in the game of politics (nothing wrong). But for him to Praise Allah and the faith of Islam at the top of his lungs, and to purposely embed it into almost every speech he gives, just to turn around and put a CHRISTmas tree in his home has many flaws: it's wrong, confusing, sack-religious (for Islam and Christianity both) and down right ridiculous. You want to pry prayers, bibles, and crosses from my schools, my court houses, my public offices, my football games, and my parades, but you, YOU Pres. Obama, are willing to smear it in my face by placing a symbol for one of the Holiest of Holy days in the Christian faith, in your Islamic home?!? I say, how dare you spit on my family, my religion, my beliefs, my faith, my home, my friends, and my GOD!! How DARE YOU! You are no better than the sack religious hypocritical individuals who held signs stating "GOD wants dead soldiers". You are the man stating, "Praise Allah!!!" standing in front of a Christmas tree. "Thank Allah!!!" enjoying your Christmas Eve dinner. "May you be blessed, in Allah's name!!!" you say as you pass a Christmas gift to your daughters. How dare you, Mr. President. I pray for you, that you make it through your four years, with good health, so that you might see how the United States of America will prosper once you have left office, once we are rid of your crooked tongue, once we are rid of your crooked ways. Good day to you, Mr. President, and may God bless you, for you have slapped him across the face once again. For this offense, my heart is now filled with rage, and I may never be able to muster the words of forgiveness to you. But with the Lord, God's help, I might be able to forgive America, for ever placing you behind that desk, at the capital of Our once Glorious country.
ReplyIgnorant
ReplyDid anyone see pictures of the National tree (outside) in DC? That thing was ugly.
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