White House Christmas trees - then and now

Obama Family's Christmas tree this year.

The White House has been decking the halls for Christmas since the mid 1850s, when President Franklin Pierce first brought a tree indoors for the holidays. In the 1890s, first lady Caroline Harrison helped decorate that year's tree, and a tradition was born.

The White House Christmas tree (in spite of the rumors, there are no generic "holiday" trees here) became official in 1929, during the Hoover administration, but it wasn't until the Kennedy administration that first ladies were charged with choosing an official decorating theme.

There's been a bit of controversy to go with all of the celebration: In 1899, Americans criticized President William McKinley for even having a tree, saying that it was "un-American" given the tradition's German origins. (The Chicago Daily Tribune reported that the letters protesting the government's "Christmas tree habit" also called it "arboreal infanticide.") In 1972, President Richard Nixon fanned the flames by using the atomic symbol of peace as a tree topper instead of a traditional star. And there's the nearly annual debate about whether the White House should stick with tradition, emphasize religion, or avoid religion altogether.

Official themes have ranged from the traditional (like the "Early American" decorations that Lady Bird Johnson chose three years in a row) to the trendy (Nancy Reagan's 1982 tree, which was covered in foil-paper cones and metallic snowflakes). Jacqueline Kennedy, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Clinton all had trees featuring "The Nutcracker Suite."

The 2011 tree came from Schroeder's Forevergreens in Wisconsin, a member of the National Christmas Tree Association, according to The White House. Forevergreens is one of 800 or so vendors that donates free, full-grown trees to military families as part of the Trees for Troops program, which makes it a perfect fit for this year's official theme, which honors military families.

1962 White House Christmas tree with President John F. Kennedy and First lady Jacqueline Kennedy. She decorated the tree with ornaments created by disabled veterans and senior citizens.

1965 White House Christmas tree with First lady Lady Bird Johnson. The theme that year was "Early American" and the tree was decorated with popcorn, fruit, nuts, and seed pods.

1974 White House Christmas tree with First lady Betty Ford. The tree had a patchwork theme and she offered instructions for creating the ornaments.

1978 White House Christmas tree with First lady Roselyn Carter. She decorated the tree with antique toys, dolls, and doll houses from Rochester, NY.

1983 White House Christmas tree with First lady Nancy Reagan and Santa-clad Mr. T. The tree had over 2,000 old-fashioned toy ornaments

1990 White House Christmas tree with First lady Barbara Bush. The tree had a nutcracker theme and decorated with porcelain dancers. 

1992 White House Christmas tree with First lady Hilary Clinton. The theme was "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and ornaments were made from school children across the country.

2005 White House Christmas tree with First lady Laura Bush. The theme was "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and the tree was decorated with lilies, crystals, and garland.

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