White House Christmas tree facts for kids

The White House Christmas Tree, also known as the Blue Room Christmas Tree, is the official indoor Christmas tree at the home of the President of the United States, the White House. The first indoor Christmas tree was put up in the White House sometime in the 1800s. Since 1961, the tree has had a special theme chosen by the First Lady of the United States.

A Look Back: The Tree's History

When Was the First Tree?

President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with the first themed Blue Room tree in 1961.

There are different ideas about when the very first Christmas tree appeared in the White House. Some say President Franklin Pierce had the first indoor tree in the 1850s. Other sources believe it was President Benjamin Harrison who had the first tree, either in 1888, 1889, or 1891. His wife, First Lady Caroline Harrison, even helped decorate it. This tree was placed in a room called the Yellow Oval Room today.

How the Tradition Grew

After President Harrison, indoor trees were not always used at the White House. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover started a new tradition in 1929. She was the first presidential wife to decorate an "official" White House Christmas tree.

A big change happened in 1961. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy started the tradition of choosing a special theme for the White House Christmas tree. Her first theme was based on the famous ballet, Nutcracker.

Years Without a Tree

Not every year had an indoor White House Christmas tree. For example, there was no tree in 1902, 1904, 1907, and 1922. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt simply didn't order one in time.

Some presidents never displayed a tree at all. The first U.S. President, George Washington, lived before the White House was built. There is also no proof that Abraham Lincoln ever had a Christmas tree there. In 1922, First Lady Florence Harding was sick, so the Christmas celebration was quieter, and no tree was put up.

The Official White House Christmas Tree

What the Tree Looks Like

The 2007 Blue Room Christmas tree arrives by horse-drawn carriage.

The White House Christmas tree is chosen from special farms across the country. Farms in North Carolina have provided the most trees, sending 12 so far. Washington and Wisconsin are tied for second, each providing seven trees.

Since 1961, the official White House Christmas tree has often been displayed in the Blue Room. Sometimes, it has also been in the Entrance Hall. The White House usually has many Christmas trees. For example, in 1997, there were 36 trees, and in 2008, there were 27. But the tree in the Blue Room is always the main, official one.

This special tree is usually very tall, almost 20 feet high! The crystal chandelier in the Blue Room even has to be removed to make space for it. The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) donates the Blue Room tree every year. They have been doing this since 1966. The tree is chosen through a fun competition among the tree growers.

Official Blue Room Trees (1961–2020)

Here are some examples of the official White House Christmas trees and their themes:

Image	Year	Species and location grown	Ornamentation notes	First Lady	Location	Theme
	2020	Fraser fir, Shepherdstown, West Virginia	Students from all over the country created art showing what makes their state beautiful. These mini masterpieces decorated the tree.	Melania Trump	Blue Room	America the Beautiful
	2019	Colorado blue spruce, Palmyra, Pennsylvania		Melania Trump	Blue Room	The Spirit of America
	2018	Fraser fir, Newland, North Carolina		Melania Trump	Blue Room	American Treasures
	2017	Balsam fir, Endeavor, Wisconsin		Melania Trump	Blue Room	Time-Honored Traditions - the Gift of Holiday
2016	Douglas fir, Oconto, Wisconsin		Michelle Obama	Blue Room	The Gift of the Holidays
2015	Fraser fir, Lehighton, Pennsylvania	This tree honored our nation's service members, veterans, and their families. It had messages of hope for troops and patriotic red, white, and blue symbols.	Michelle Obama	Blue Room	A Timeless Tradition
	2014	Concolor fir, Lehighton, Pennsylvania	The tree's theme was "America the Brave." Children from U.S. military bases worldwide made the ornaments, including thank-you cards for military members.	Michelle Obama	Blue Room	A Children's Winter Wonderland
	2012	Fraser fir, Jefferson, North Carolina	This tree was dedicated to U.S. military members, veterans, and their families. Children living on military bases decorated the ornaments.	Michelle Obama	Blue Room	Joy to All
	2010	Douglas fir, Lehighton, Pennsylvania	The tree honored state and county fairs. It featured prize ribbons from every state and territory.	Michelle Obama	Blue Room	"Simple Gifts"
	2009	Douglas fir, Shepherdstown, West Virginia	About 800 old ornaments were sent to community groups across the country. They decorated them to honor local landmarks and sent them back for display.	Michelle Obama	Blue Room	Reflect, Rejoice, Renew
	2008	Fraser fir, Crumpler, North Carolina	Artists from around the country designed patriotic ornaments. Members of Congress selected these artists.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	A Red, White, and Blue Christmas
	2007	Fraser fir, Laurel Springs, North Carolina	Each ornament represented one of the 391 National Park Service sites.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	Holiday in the National Parks
	2006	Douglas fir, Lehighton, Pennsylvania	Decorated with crystals and ornaments of shiny glass.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	Deck the Halls and Welcome All
	2005	Fraser fir, Laurel Springs, North Carolina	Featured white lilies, crystal balls, and sparkling garland.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	All Things Bright and Beautiful
	2004	Noble fir, Rochester, Washington	Musical instruments were hand-painted by artists.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	A Season of Merriment and Melody
	2003	Fraser fir, Wisconsin	Ornaments first used by Barbara Bush in 1989 were reused.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	A Season of Stories
	2002	Noble fir, Elma, Washington	An artist from each state designed an ornament based on a bird native to their state.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	All Creatures Great and Small
	2001	White fir, Middleburg, Pennsylvania	An artist from each state designed tiny models of historic houses from their area.	Laura Bush	Blue Room	Home for the Holidays
	2000	Douglas fir, Auburn, Pennsylvania	Ornaments were from the First Lady's past.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	Holiday Reflections
	1999	Noble fir, Elma, Washington	Doll makers created toys of American historical figures for this tree.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	Holiday Treasures at the White House
	1998	Balsam fir, Endeavor, Wisconsin	Knitting and painting artists from each state worked on the ornaments.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	Winter Wonderland
	1997	Fraser fir, Grassy Creek, North Carolina	Needlework and fashion designers, along with glass artists, created the decorations.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	Santa's Workshop
	1996	Colorado blue spruce, Coshocton, Ohio	Woodcraft artists and ballet companies helped with the ornaments.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	Nutcracker Suite
	1995	Fraser fir, North Carolina	Ornaments were made by American architecture students and architects.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	A Visit From St. Nicholas
	1994	Blue spruce, Missouri	Ornaments were made by American art students.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	The Twelve Days of Christmas
	1993	Fraser fir, North Carolina	More than 1,000 artists made angel-themed ornaments.	Hillary Clinton	Blue Room	Angels
	1992	Grand fir, Oregon	White House florists made 88 gift-giving characters.	Barbara Bush	Blue Room	Gift-givers
	1991	Noble fir, Salem, Oregon	A needlepoint village and Noah's Ark pieces were created for the tree.	Barbara Bush	Blue Room	Needle work tree
	1990	Fraser fir, North Carolina	Featured tiny porcelain dancers.	Barbara Bush	Blue Room	Nutcracker Suite
	1989	Fraser fir, Pennsylvania	White House staff created 80 soft-sculpture characters from books.	Barbara Bush	Blue Room	Family literacy
	1988	Balsam fir, Montello, Wisconsin	Reused old glass ornaments and state flower balls. Carpenters made wood candles.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Old-fashioned tree
	1987	Fraser fir, West Virginia	Mini instruments, notes, and sheet music were made by patients at Second Genesis.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Musical theme
	1986	Fraser fir, Washington	15 soft-sculpture nursery rhyme scenes and 100 geese were made by patients at Second Genesis.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Mother Goose theme
	1985	Blue spruce, Lake City, Michigan	1,500 ornaments were made by patients at Second Genesis.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Ornaments made from Christmas cards sent to the Reagans in 1984.
	1984	Fraser fir, North Carolina	Ornaments were made by patients at Second Genesis.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Ornaments made from natural plant materials.
	1983	Noble fir, Orting, Washington	Reused 1982 ornaments and added old-fashioned toys from a museum.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Old-Fashioned toys.
	1982	Fraser fir, North Carolina	Ornaments were made by patients at Second Genesis.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Foil paper cones and metallic snowflakes
	1981	Douglas fir, Pennsylvania	Ornaments were loaned by the Museum of American Folk Art.	Nancy Reagan	Blue Room	Ornaments from the Museum of American Folk Art.
	1980	Douglas fir, Bristol, Indiana	Decorated with dolls, hats, fans, tapestries, and laces.	Rosalynn Carter	Blue Room	Victorian theme
	1979	Douglas fir, West Virginia	Art students created ornaments from balsa wood, fabric, and dried flowers.	Rosalynn Carter	Blue Room	American folk art of the colonial period
	1978	Veitch fir, New York	Victorian dolls and tiny furniture were loaned from a museum.	Rosalynn Carter	Blue Room	Antique toys
	1977	Noble fir, Washington	A group called the National Association for Retarded Citizens made eggshell ornaments.	Rosalynn Carter	Blue Room	Painted milkweed pods, nut pods, foil, and eggshell ornaments.
	1976	Balsam fir, Wisconsin	Natural ornaments were made by the Garden Club of America.	Betty Ford	Blue Room	"Love that is the spirit of Christmas"
	1975	Douglas fir, New York	Ornaments from 1974 were reused. Experts made new ones from paper snowflakes, acorns, dried fruits, pinecones, vegetables, straw, cookies, and yarn.	Betty Ford	Blue Room	Old-fashioned children's Christmas
	1974	Concolor fir, Mayville, Michigan	Ornaments were made by women from Appalachia and senior citizen groups.	Betty Ford	Blue Room	Handmade crafts, thrift, and recycling
	1973	Fraser fir, North Carolina	In honor of James Madison.	Pat Nixon	Blue Room	Gold theme
	1972	Noble fir, Washington	Reused 1969 ornaments, and added 3,000 pastel satin balls and 150 gold federal stars.	Pat Nixon	Blue Room	Still Life with Fruit and Nature’s Bounty, paintings by Severin Roesen
	1971	Fraser fir, North Carolina	Reused 1969 ornaments, and added Monroe fans and gold foil angels.	Pat Nixon	Blue Room	American Flower Tree
	1970	White spruce, Wisconsin	Reused 1969 ornaments, and added 53 Monroe fans.	Pat Nixon	Blue Room	American Flower Tree
	1969	Blue spruce, Ohio	Disabled workers from Florida made velvet and satin balls featuring each state's state flower.	Pat Nixon	North Entrance	American Flower Tree
	1968	White pine, Indianapolis	Decorated in a 19th-century American style with gingerbread cookies.	Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson	Blue Room	19th century gingerbread tree
	1967	Blue spruce, Ohio	Similar to 1965–66, but with silver baubles, silver stars, and round mirrors added.	Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson	Blue Room	Early American
	1966	Balsam fir, Wisconsin	Traditional ornaments: nuts, fruit, popcorn, dried seedpods, gingerbread cookies, and wood roses from Hawaii.	Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson	Blue Room	Early American
	1965		Traditional ornaments: nuts, fruit, popcorn, dried seedpods, gingerbread cookies, and wood roses from Hawaii.	Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson	Blue Room	Early American
	1964	Balsam fir		Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson	Blue Room
	1963		The tree was very simple because the nation was sad after John F. Kennedy's death.	Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson	Blue Room
	1962		Reused ornaments from 1961, plus others made by disabled people and senior citizens.	Jacqueline Kennedy	North Entrance	Childhood
	1961	Balsam fir	Toys, birds, and angels designed after Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite ballet.	Jacqueline Kennedy	Blue Room	Nutcracker Suite

Other White House Christmas Trees Over Time

Here are some other Christmas trees that have been displayed in the White House:

Images for kids

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  The 2002 Blue Room Christmas tree.

• 2013 Blue Room Tree.jpg

  Ornaments on the 2013 Blue Room tree paid tribute to military families.

• 2011 Blue Room Tree.jpg

  The 2011 Blue Room tree displayed medals, badges, and patches from all military branches.