From the First Tree to 2025: A Look at White House Christmas History

Across more than a century, Christmas at the White House has evolved from modest greenery into a curated cultural tradition shaped by the families who lived there.

The first indoor tree appeared in 1889 under President Benjamin Harrison, and electric lights arrived just five years later during Grover Cleveland’s term, signaling the beginning of modern holiday décor.

In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy transformed the season with curated themes, starting with ornaments inspired by “The Nutcracker Suite”, a practice every administration has continued since.

First Ladies have often used décor to reflect national feeling: Lady Bird Johnson favored handmade creativity, Nancy Reagan leaned into theatrical nostalgia, Barbara Bush championed children’s stories, and Hillary Clinton commissioned designers, artisans, and students.

Michelle Obama incorporated military tributes, sustainability, and LED lighting, while recent seasons under Melania Trump and Jill Biden centered on shared heritage and unity.

In 2025, the White House unveiled the theme “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” filling halls with more than fifty trees, garlands, ribbons, and thousands of butterflies.