Silent night, holy night – or alternatively terrible night. Depending on who is currently up to mischief in the White House. On Monday evening, Jill Biden unveiled this year’s Christmas decorations for the White House. A tradition of the First Ladies, who, in addition to their other activities, also secure a place in the collective memory.
Melania Trump’s avenue of red Christmas trees, which was later mocked online as Trump seeing red, will never be forgotten.
Jackie Kennedy started a tradition in the White House
John and Abigail Adams had their first Christmas party in 1800 and had the White House beautifully decorated. Afterwards, the presidents and their partners introduced further traditions. Calvin Coolidge, for example, was the first US president to publicly light the Christmas tree with a large celebration in 1923 – a popular custom ever since.
The tradition of theming the Christmas decorations and especially the Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House goes back to one of the most popular first ladies of all: Jackie Kennedy. She selected the “Nutcracker Suite” in 1961 and later reused the ornaments.
The following First Ladies took their cues from this. Many reused artwork or decorations from previous presidencies – mostly from those who were in the same party as the current president. Nancy Reagan recycled glass trinkets handed down from Eisenhower and Nixon. Michelle Obama even used 800 items that had been used to decorate the White House in previous administrations.
Still popular: patriotism, references to the federal states and honoring military personnel and veterans. The Nutcracker motto has also been reinterpreted several times.
This Christmas, the theme at the White House is “Magic, Wonder and Joy.” With 98 Christmas trees, 350 candles, 22,100 bells and 142,425 lights, Jill Biden wants to remember the joy with which children experience Christmas.
Sources: White House History, First ladies, Business Insider