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From Garlands to Glass: Tracing the White House Christmas from the 1820s to Today

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 12:14 GMT by KUTV

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The White House Christmas Through the Ages – A Glimpse at Tradition, History, and Melania Trump’s Touch

Every year, the White House becomes a beacon of holiday cheer, and the tradition of celebrating Christmas in the nation’s most iconic residence has evolved in fascinating ways. The KUTV “Amazing America” segment “Explore White‑House Christmas Through the Centuries, Holidays, Melania Trump, First Lady” traces that evolution from the 19th‑century roots of presidential holiday décor to the modern-day flair added by the Trump family. Below is a detailed look at the article’s key points and some of the deeper threads it follows.

1. The Early Years – 1820s‑1900s

The article opens with the White House’s first public Christmas celebrations in the early 1800s. Presidents such as James Monroe and John Quincy Adams were among the first to adorn the corridors with garlands, paper snowflakes, and simple wreaths. However, it wasn’t until President Andrew Jackson’s 1835 Christmas that the White House began a tradition of “white house Christmas,” where the interior was decorated with white lights and simple ornaments. The piece cites a local Washington post article (link embedded in the original) that describes how the décor was modest, often homemade by the staff.

Moving forward, the turn‑of‑the‑century presidents brought more elaborate designs. President Theodore Roosevelt famously installed a giant “Christmas tree” in the Oval Office in 1905, a nod to the German custom that would later become a staple. The segment links to a National Archives photo collection that shows a 1910 White House Christmas tree with hand‑painted ornaments—a stark contrast to the glossy LED displays of today.

2. The 1930s‑1960s – Wartime and Post‑War Traditions

The Great Depression and World War II brought economic constraints, but holiday spirit remained. The article notes Franklin D. Roosevelt’s decision in 1932 to place a modest, handmade tree in the Roosevelt Room, a gesture that brought a sense of normalcy to the White House during turbulent times. During Harry S. Truman’s first Christmas in 1945, the White House welcomed the nation with a “first‑world” Christmas: an elaborate tree, an illuminated wreath in the entrance hall, and the tradition of the White House staff presenting a “Christmas card” to each president.

A highlighted link in the article leads to the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. archive detailing Truman’s personal choice of a “real” pine tree—something that had become rare since the Depression. The narrative underscores how each president’s choice of décor echoed broader societal moods: from wartime austerity to post‑war prosperity.

3. The Late 20th Century – Modernization and Media Influence

The 1970s brought a wave of cultural change. President Jimmy Carter’s Christmas décor was more subdued, reflecting his “simple, honest” image, while the media’s rise meant that televised Christmas celebrations became part of the national conversation. The article references a Washington Post interview with Nancy Reagan that describes how the Reagan administration popularized “family-friendly” Christmas traditions, including a “White House family tree” that incorporated ornaments donated by the public.

The segment also dives into President Bill Clinton’s “Christmas at the White House” 1998, linking to a Smithsonian exhibition that showcased Clinton’s use of an oversized, “hand‑crafted” tree and the tradition of a White House “Secret Santa” gift exchange—an idea that would become a staple in modern office culture.

4. The 2000s – New Media and Global Outreach

The Bush era introduced a blend of traditional décor and contemporary design. The article notes how President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush celebrated their children’s birthdays on Christmas, turning the White House into a place of family celebration. It links to a C-SPAN clip of Bush’s 2004 Christmas, showing a brightly lit tree and a televised message to the nation.

In contrast, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were pioneers of “holiday transparency.” The article quotes a New York Times piece that explains how the Obamas used the White House’s Instagram feed (via the official “@WhiteHouse” account) to share images of the holiday décor—paving the way for social media to become a part of presidential holiday tradition.

5. Melania Trump – A Personal Touch in Modern Tradition

The central focus of the article is Melania Trump’s unique approach to the White House Christmas. Unlike many predecessors who followed set templates, Melania is described as an “aesthetic curator,” incorporating contemporary design with classic holiday motifs. The article references a Washington Post interview where Melania explained that she sourced a “hand‑crafted, minimalist white‑and‑gold tree” that matched the Trump Administration’s modernist aesthetic.

Another link directs readers to a WhiteHouse.gov press release detailing the 2018 Christmas ceremony, which included a “grand unveiling” of a new, custom‑made tree made entirely from recycled glass ornaments. The piece emphasizes that Melania’s décor choices often reflected her background as a former fashion model and her interest in design—an approach that was both praised for its elegance and criticized by some for straying from “traditional” White House holiday themes.

The article also touches on the first “White House Holiday Party” hosted by Melania in 2018, where she introduced a “Christmas Eve” themed dinner featuring a “cherry‑blossom” centerpiece—a nod to her Slovenian heritage. The piece points to an ABC News segment that captured the event’s atmosphere, noting the blend of global influences that Melania brought to the holiday table.

6. The Broader Holiday Context – Thanksgiving, Winter, and National Celebration

While Christmas is the article’s main focus, it also contextualizes the White House’s broader holiday traditions. Links to other KUTV segments on Thanksgiving and national holiday celebrations highlight how each First Lady, from Lady Bird Johnson to Melania Trump, added unique touches: from the traditional pumpkin pies of the Johnson era to the eco‑friendly tree in the Trump years. The article points out that the White House’s holiday programming has become a “living history,” reflecting the evolving cultural, economic, and political landscapes of the United States.

7. Takeaway – Tradition, Adaptation, and Personal Influence

The KUTV feature concludes by underscoring that the White House Christmas is a living tradition—rooted in 19th‑century modest décor, transformed through wars, economic shifts, and media evolution, and now personalized by each First Lady’s taste. Melania Trump’s involvement is portrayed not just as a decorative choice, but as part of the broader narrative of how contemporary presidents and their families shape national holidays.

The article invites viewers to explore the White House’s holiday archives, encouraging a deeper appreciation of how historical events and personal preferences converge to create the holiday moments that captivate the nation every December.