A White House Christmas Gallery: The Nixon Years

President Nixon and family stand arm in arm in front of a main floor White House Christmas tree, December 24, 1971.

The Nixon Holidays

In 1969 Mrs. Nixon chose “State Flower Balls” as her first theme; volunteers created velvet and satin ornaments embellished with craft flowers. The original set of “State Flower Balls” once archived, has been sourced and select pieces will be incorporated into the trees in 2012. In 1970, the decorations were a continuation of 1969’s theme along with the addition of gold foil fans. The theme in 1971 was “Gold Foil Angels” and Mrs. Nixon took the décor to the next level adding a bit of glitz and gold. “Nature’s Bounty” was the theme for 1972, inspired by the lush painting of fruit and flowers by German American artist, Severin Roesen. The tree was covered in faux fruit, gold stars, and pastel satin balls along with the state flower balls from 1969. The Christmas of 1973 was the year of “Gold Tree Honoring James Monroe” decorated with dainty gold beading; gold balls hung again with the state flower balls. (Photos Courtesy of the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum)

Pat Nixon looks at handmade state globe ornaments on the decorated White House Christmas tree, December 17, 1969.

Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower hold a handmade state Christmas tree ornament ball, December 13, 1971.

Pat Nixon and Julie Eisenhower give the press corps members a tour of the White House Christmas decorations, December 13, 1971.

A White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room, December 11, 1972.

Christmas at Camp David, Maryland, December 23, 1971.

The National Christmas tree after the lighting ceremony, December 15, 1972.

White House interior rooms and wall in red Christmas decorations, December 14, 1972.

A sconce framed by Della Robbia greenery, reflecting the 1972 theme, "Nature's Bounty," December 1972.

President Nixon and Mrs. Nixon with a snowman after a winter snow, December 17, 1973.

A White House Christmas Gallery: The Ford Years

President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford in front of the Blue Room tree

The Ford Holidays

The Ford’s family traditions were based on creativity, love and above all - thriftiness. Mrs. Ford had her family’s approach in mind when she chose “Patchwork Christmas” as the theme for 1974. Pastel blue calico fabric bows, tiny mirrors, wood animals, and calico quilted animal ornaments decorated the tree. In 1975, a “Children’s Christmas” was sponsored by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Abby Aldrich Folk Art Museum. The trees and house were decorated with antique toys and American crafts made from simple materials such as yarn and straw. For Christmas 1976, the year of the nation’s Bicentennial, Mrs. Ford chose “America is Love” for the theme. Big red velvet bows, handmade flowers made from a variety of materials and Bicentennial dolls decorated the House. (Photos courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Library)

First Lady Ford pointing out Christmas ornaments on the White House tree. December 9, 1976.

First Lady Ford treats the press to a preview of the Blue Room Christmas tree and its decorations, December 10, 1974.

Close-up of traditional, handmade ornaments created by Colonial Williamsburg staff and volunteers, December 22, 1975.

First Lady Betty Ford and her daughter, Susan, make their own hand-made Christmas ornaments for, November 19, 1975.

View of the Blue Room Christmas tree featuring decorations with a Bicentennial motif during the 1976 Bicentennial year, December 14, 1976.

A White House Christmas Gallery: The Carter Years

President Jimmy Carter and the First Family at Christmas, December 20, 1977.

The Carter Holidays

In 1977, Mrs. Carter decided the holiday would be a simple Georgian Christmas and set the theme as “Classic American Christmas”. Ornaments were crafted using all natural materials such as wood, pinecones, and even peanuts. Charming paper-cone ornaments were filled with dried flowers and trinkets. The following year, the theme “Antique Toys” was chosen with Amy Carter clearly in mind. The Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum loaned the White House over twenty-five hundred antique toys. In 1979, the theme was “American Folk Art of the Colonial Period” and the students of the Corcoran School of Art created ornaments such as white needlework snowflakes, along with ceramic and wood decorative pieces. The theme for 1980 was “Old Fashion Victorian Christmas” and the tree was decorated in shades of muted mauves and pinks with large porcelain dolls and a variety of faux flowers. (Photos courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum)

Rosalynn Carter touring the White House Christmas decorations with her grandchildren, Jason and Sarah Carter, December 15, 1980.

Jimmy Carter lighting the National Menorah at Lafayette Park with Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, December 17, 1979.

A glimpse of a Christmas tree in the Blue Room, December 1979.

Christmas tree in the Blue Room, December 1980.

Rosalynn Carter previewing the 1979 White House Christmas decorations, December 10, 1979.

Rosalynn Carter previewing the 1978 White House Christmas decorations, December 12, 1978.

Handmade ornaments reflecting the Classic American Christmas, 1977.

Handmade ornaments reflecting the Classic American Christmas, 1977.

A White House Christmas Gallery: The Reagan Years

President Reagan and Nancy Reagan official photo with Christmas tree in the Blue Room, December 12, 1988.

The Reagan Holidays

The theme for 1981 was “Old Fashion Christmas with the Museum of Folk Art “; the museum lent the White House national treasures such as Victorian dollhouses and miniature period furniture. “Old Fashion Christmas with Foil Paper Cones and Snowflakes” was the theme for 1982, and included glitzy shiny ornaments and plenty of angels. “Old Fashion Christmas with Antique Toys” was the theme for 1983, an antique toy circus was placed under the tree, and gold foil paper chains were used throughout the House. “Enchanting Creatures” was the theme for 1984, volunteers from the Brandywine River Museum in Pennsylvania crafted Christmas “critters” that were woodland creatures made from natural materials like pinecones. In 1985 “Old Fashion Christmas with Teddy Bears” was the theme, Mrs. Reagan used regular size bears to decorate the House. “Mother Goose” was the theme for 1986. Stuffed goose ornaments illustrating the nursery rhyme covered the Blue Room tree. “Toyland Musical Tree” was the theme for 1987 and focused in on Mrs. Reagan’s sweetest holiday memories revolving around classic Christmas carols. For their last Christmas in the White House, the theme was a variation of 1985’s “Old-Fashion Tree with Teddy Bears”. The bears were back, placed alongside wooden candles and yarn dolls. Gold bows were prevalent and used as accents throughout the House. (Photos courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)

President Reagan receives a Menorah from the Friends of Lubavitch in the oval office, December 15, 1987.

First Lady Nancy Reagan hangs an ornament on the Blue Room Christmas tree, December 10, 1982.

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan decorating the family Christmas tree in the White House, December 1983.

Nancy Reagan sits on Santa Claus's (President Reagan) lap at a Christmas eve party at the Wick residence in Washington, DC, December 24, 1983.

President Reagan and Nancy Reagan look at White House Christmas decorations in the State Dining Room, December 9, 1984.

Christmas trees and Christmas decorations in the East Room, December 13, 1985.

Christmas decorations in the White House, December 12, 1987.

President Reagan and Nancy Reagan's Christmas photograph in the Blue Room, December 15, 1987.

A White House Christmas Gallery: The George H. W. Bush Years

President and Mrs. Bush in front of the 1990 White House Christmas Tree, December 12, 1990.

The George H. W. Bush Holidays

A “ Storybook Christmas” showcased a tree featuring popular characters from children’s books, championing Mrs. Bush’s favorite cause of literacy with tiny books as ornaments, and accented with gold and red ribbon. In 1990, the theme was “Nutcracker”, as actual ballet slippers and porcelain dancers decorated the house. “Needlepoint Christmas” was the theme in 1991, with needlepoint creations featured on the tree. “Gift Givers” was the theme for 1992. The idea of gift givers had taken on many forms over the years in the form of Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Snow Maid to name a few, and Mrs. Bush chose to represent eighty-eight different kinds on her tree. (Photos courtesy of the George Bush Library and Museum)

Mrs. Bush admires the White House Christmas tree, December 7, 1992.

First Lady Barbara Bush tops the National Christmas Tree. November 27, 1989.

President George H.W. Bush reads a Christmas story to his grandchildren, December 1991.

President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush pose in front of the White House Christmas tree, December 8, 1992.

Mrs. Bush gives the press a preview of the White House Christmas tree and decorations, December 9, 1991.

Christmas decorations for the White House tree, December 14, 1989.

Mrs. Bush admired the 1989 Christmas Tree in the Grand Foyer of the White House. The theme is "story book," December 20,1989.

A Christmas ornament which depicts Oliver Twist from the 1989 Christmas Tree of Literary Characters at the White House, December 20, 1989.

A Christmas ornament which depicts Little Red Riding Hood from the 1989 Christmas Tree of Literary characters at the White House, December 20, 1989.

A Story Book Christmas at the White House, December 20, 1989.

1990 Christmas decorations from The Nutcracker, December 9, 1990.