The Festive Evolution of White House Christmas Trees and Decor Over the Years, From Kennedy to Biden

Elaborate Christmas decorations, including a massive Christmas tree, have become a staple of White House end-of-year decor over the last 70 years. The first Christmas tree in the White House dates back to 1889 when Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the U.S., decorated the tree with candles. Christmas trees, originating in Germany, gained popularity in the U.S. in 1850 but didn’t become a widespread tradition until an artificial tree was invented in the 1930s. Not every presidential family set up trees in the White House; it depended if they typically celebrated with a tree, had young kids or grandkids, and lived in the White House during the holidays. The first Christmas tree lit by electric lights is believed to have been used by Grover Cleveland in 1894, three years after the White House got electricity. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower established the tradition of setting up the tree in the Blue Room, which has been continued by every first lady, except when Patricia Nixon set her American flowers-themed tree up in the Entrance Hall. Jacqueline Kennedy created the tradition of the first lady choosing a theme for the White House Christmas tree in 1961. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has held

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