One of the great joys of Christmas is decorating your home with festive cheer. Nothing gives you those cozy holiday vibes more than bright and beautiful Christmas decor and the families living in the White House feel the same. The White House has been decorated for Christmas every year since 1889 when President Benjamin Harrison first started the tradition with his grandchildren. The White House holiday decorations are usually chosen by the First Lady and a theme is usually chosen for each year’s decor.
Today, First Lady Jill Biden revealed the 2021 White House Christmas theme, “Gifts from the Heart.” It is said to be inspired by people the Bidens met as they traveled throughout the country during Biden’s first year in office. Today’s unveiling got us thinking about all of the Christmas decor we have seen at the White House over the years so we decided to take a look back at the decor under every administration from JFK to Biden.
President JFK, 1961
President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, pose in front of the Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington in this Dec. 13, 1961 photo. The couple was hosting a pre-Christmas party for White House staff members and their families.
President JFK, 1961
And here’s another angle showing a young Caroline Kennedy in front of the same tree.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1967
This photo from Dec. 24, 1967 shows President Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, and Yuki, the White House pet, posing next to the White House Christmas tree in the Yellow Oval Room on the second floor of the White House.
President Richard Nixon, 1971
First lady Pat Nixon, the wife of President Richard Nixon, gave reporters a tour of the White House Christmas decorations on Dec. 14, 1971.
President Richard Nixon, 1971
The White House pets are shown sitting near the family Christmas tree on the second floor at the executive mansion on Dec. 20, 1971.
President Gerald Ford, 1976
First lady Betty Ford, the wife of President Gerald Ford, poses in front of the White House Christmas tree on Dec. 9, 1976.
President Jimmy Carter, 1978
The National Christmas Tree is shown being lit for the first time in front of the WHite House on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1978.
President Ronald Reagan, 1988
President Ronald Reagan and his wife, First Lady Nancy Reagan show off their Christmas tree at the White House on Dec. 22, 1988.
President George H. W. Bush, 1989
First lady Barbara Bush stands next to the tall White House Christmas tree as she shows off ornaments. The tree was located in the Blue Room of the WHite House. This photo was taken Monday, Dec. 11, 1989.
President Bill Clinton, 1993
The White House Christmas Card taken on on December 6, 1993.
President Bill Clinton, 1993
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton shows off an ornate gingerbread house during a tour of the White House Christmas decorations, Monday Dec. 6, 1993.
President Bill Clinton, 1993
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Bill Clinton sit for an interview in the decorated Roosevelt Room in the White House, Dec. 22, 1993.
President George W. Bush, 2006
Christmas wreaths are seen hanging on the gates of the White House on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006.
President George W. Bush, 2007
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush pose in front of the Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House in 2007.
President George W. Bush, 2007
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch a performance of “A Christmas Carol” in the East Room of the White House on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.
President Barack Obama, 2011
A plastic bag version of Bo, the Obama family dog is seen in the Library of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. The 2011 theme was “Shine, Give, Share.”
President Barack Obama, 2011
First lady Michelle Obama walks with Bo while children from military families create holiday crafts in the State Dining Room of the White House on Nov. 30, 2011.
President Barack Obama, 2011
The National Christmas Tree under the 2011 Obama administration is pictured with the White House in the background on Thursday, Dec., 1, 2011.
President Barack Obama, 2011
First lady Michelle Obama and White House pastry chef Bill Yosses decorate holiday cookies with the children of military families on Nov. 30, 2011.
President Barack Obama, 2011
Christmas decor adorns the East Garden Room on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011.
President Barack Obama, 2012
A rainbow-themed Christmas tree sits next to a statue of President Lincoln in the East Garden Room of the White House on Nov. 28, 2012. The theme for the White House Christmas 2012 was Joy to All.
President Barack Obama, 2012
The 2012 White House gingerbread house is displayed next to Pastry Chef Bill Yosses as he explains his design for the nearly 300-pound decoration on display in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012.
President Barack Obama, 2013
A hallway is filled with decorations in the White House on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013.
President Barack Obama, 2014
Two large Christmas trees are put on show in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014. The theme for the White House decorations was A Children’s Wonderland.
President Donald Trump, 2017
The East Colonnade was adorned with white branches that lead to a Christmas tree in the East Garden Room under the Trump administration on Nov. 27, 2017.
President Donald Trump, 2017
The Grand Foyer and Cross Hall were decorated with “The Nutcracker Suite” theme during a media preview of the 2017 holiday decorations at the White House on Nov. 27, 2017.
President Donald Trump, 2017
An icy blue National Christmas Tree was displayed on the Ellipse with the White House in the background on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017.
President Donald Trump, 2018
The East colonnade was decorated with bright red topiary trees on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.
President Donald Trump, 2018
Lit trees lined the Cross Hall on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.
President Joe Biden, 2021
The 2021 decorations were revealed today, Nov. 29, 2021. Two trees covered in purple ornaments are pictured in the Green Room of the White House.
President Joe Biden, 2021
The Red Room of the White House features one tree in the center of the room.
President Joe Biden, 2021
The Center Hall of the White House is covered with festive garlands and lights on November 29, 2021.
President Joe Biden, 2021
A Marine Social Aid holds the door open at the East entrance of the White House. The doorway is draped in stacks of red Christmas present boxes.
President Joe Biden, 2021
The official Gingerbread White House is displayed in the State Dining Room of the White House.
President Joe Biden, 2021
First Lady Jill Biden reads to children from Maryland-based Malcolm Elementary School.
President Joe Biden, 2021
A dining room in the White House is seen decorated for holiday season.
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