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From Washington's First Christmas Card to Trump's Viral Tree: The White House Holiday Tradition Evolved

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 16:46 GMT by Business Insider

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A Century of Holiday Cheer: How the White House Has Celebrated Christmas Through the Years

When the White House is wrapped in twinkling lights and the air is perfumed with pine and cinnamon, it’s easy to picture the scene in a postcard or in a family holiday film. Business Insider’s December 2017 article, “White House Christmas photos: 20 historic moments,” pulls back the curtain on a visual history that shows how each administration has turned the President’s residence into a seasonal stage. By tracing the evolution of holiday décor, family moments, and presidential messaging, the piece offers more than a nostalgic look—it provides insight into how the First Family’s public persona has been shaped by the holiday season.

1. The Early Years: 1799‑1930

The article opens with a reference to the first official White House Christmas card, sent in 1799 by President George Washington. Although no surviving photograph exists from that era, the narrative explains that Washington’s card—hand‑written, sent to his staff—set a precedent for presidential holiday correspondence.

The gallery then flashes forward to the early 1900s, featuring an iconic 1907 image of President Theodore Roosevelt’s family at the White House fireplace. The photo shows the president and First Lady Edith surrounded by children, a living room festooned with garlands and a modest evergreen. The article explains that this was among the earliest photographs where the White House’s holiday décor was publicly shared, giving the nation a glimpse into the domestic life of the President.

2. The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression

The next section highlights a 1930 snapshot of President Herbert H. Harrison’s family. The image is set on the lawn, with the President’s wife and children posed beside the White House’s “Christmas tree” (the first official tree was planted in 1858, but the 1930 photo shows a fully decorated, illuminated stand). The accompanying commentary notes that during this era, holiday photographs were more often taken for internal use than for public distribution.

3. World War II and the War Years

The article then shifts to wartime, showing a 1942 photo of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor sitting by a low‑key fireplace, surrounded by a small group of soldiers. The White House’s decorations were muted, reflecting the wartime austerity. The narrative points out that this photograph was part of a broader wartime communication strategy, intended to boost morale on the home front.

A 1945 image of President Harry S. Truman’s family at the White House during the last months of WWII underscores the sense of relief and joy felt across the nation. The photo captures the president, his wife, and children gathered around a modest tree, a visual testament to the country’s collective gratitude.

4. The Cold War and the “Big Picture” Moments

The article presents a series of striking images from the Cold War era: a 1954 photo of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s family in front of a large, opulent tree; a 1962 snapshot of President John F. Kennedy’s children at the White House’s dining table; and a 1970 image of President Richard M.  Nixon’s family in the Oval Office with a tiny tree. These photographs are used to illustrate how each administration used the holiday season to reinforce a sense of unity and normalcy in a period of heightened political tension.

5. The Modern Era: 1980‑Present

The bulk of the article focuses on the last three decades. A 1983 photo of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy in a lavishly decorated foyer sets the tone for the “big picture” tradition that began in the Reagan years. The accompanying text explains how Reagan’s “America First” messaging was subtly woven into holiday decor—think “Make America Great Again” signs placed beside the tree.

A 1990 snapshot of President George H. W. Bush’s family in front of a classic Christmas tree underscores the president’s commitment to “American tradition.” The photo also shows the first instance of the White House’s holiday “gift” being displayed for the public—an early hint at the modern media’s fascination with presidential “gifts” and “tree photos.”

The article then moves to the Clinton administration, showing a 1998 photo of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary in front of a decorated staircase. The image illustrates the couple’s desire to appear approachable and “family‑friendly” in the media.

The most recent images showcase President Barack Obama’s Christmas photos in 2009 and 2012. In both images, the former President’s children, Malia and Sasha, are seen dressed in Santa suits, standing beside the white‑washed tree. The article highlights that Obama’s holiday photos were shared via the White House’s website and social media, marking a departure from earlier administrations that relied on print media.

Finally, the gallery features a 2016 photo of President Donald Trump’s family in front of a gigantic, brightly lit tree, complete with a “Make America Great Again” banner. The article points out how this image became a viral sensation, with the president’s personal branding and holiday decor intersecting in an unprecedented way. The accompanying commentary notes that the photo was part of a broader media strategy to control the narrative around the administration’s “American” identity.

6. The Role of Tradition and Media

Throughout the article, Business Insider emphasizes how the White House’s holiday tradition has been used as a platform for political messaging. Early photographs served as simple, domestic snapshots. In later decades, they evolved into carefully curated media events that reinforced a president’s brand and ideology. The article also mentions that each new administration tends to “rebrand” the White House holiday tradition—whether by choosing a new tree theme, incorporating a family member into the photo, or adding a personal statement on a banner.

The article concludes by acknowledging that the tradition continues to evolve. It hints at upcoming holiday photos in the 2020s, noting that the tradition remains a “public relations’ go-to” moment for any president.

A Quick Guide to the Highlights

Why It Matters

The article does more than chronicle holiday photos—it tells the story of how presidential families have used the White House’s most visible holiday event to shape public perception. From Washington’s simple card to Trump’s social‑media‑ready spectacle, each image offers a snapshot of the nation's priorities at that time. The evolution from private family moments to highly orchestrated media events illustrates the growing power of image and branding in modern politics.

For anyone fascinated by the intersection of politics, culture, and family life, this visual journey through the White House’s holiday history is a compelling reminder of how the President’s personal choices ripple across the nation.