When First Lady Jackie Kennedy decided in 1961 to decorate the White House for the holidays using a "Nutcracker" theme, she launched a tradition at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that gets bigger and better every holiday season.
Planning for the decorations in the 132-room mansion--with 28 fireplaces that need mantel decorations, 412 doors that need wreaths and 147 windows that need fake snow, candles or pine cones--begins in July. The current First Lady is given a list of suggested themes and chooses one. In 2004, "A Season of Merriment and Melody" was depicted by creative and talented artists and artisans around the country.
Past White House yuletide themes have varied widely, from "Angels," "Holiday Treasures" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Santa's Workshop" and "Winter Wonderland."
For "A Season of Stories" in 2003, Harry Potter, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew stood watch from atop the East Room mantels while Curious George greeted visitors in the hallway. A former librarian, the First Lady wanted a theme that would combine the wonder of the holiday season with the magic of classic children's stories.
Storybook figures made by White House staffers were scattered throughout the Executive Mansion along with giant red and white balls, candy canes and strings of garland made from red candy apples and popcorn balls.
In 2002, "All Creatures Great and Small" honored presidential pets past and present. Papier maché likenesses included Woodrow Wilson's sheep, John Quincy Adams' alligator, Calvin Coolidge's raccoons, President Johnson's beagles and Caroline Kennedy's pony.
Bush pets Barney, Spot Fetcher and India greeted visitors in the entrance hall. Meanwhile, the flesh-and-blood Barney, a Scottish terrier, and Spot, an English Springer spaniel, roamed about, sniffing at the garlands and soliciting pats from reporters.
The "Home for the Holidays" theme of 2001 was selected prior to Sept. 11, becoming even more meaningful in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. For the public room displays, staff built 18 dollhouse-sized replicas of past presidents' homes, from Franklin Roosevelt's Hyde Park to a gingerbread model of the 1800 White House.
Adding to the glow of 61,050 Christmas lights, artists from all 50 states contributed miniature houses to the interior trees, which were also covered with artificial snow, tinsel and white ribbon. Huge green wreaths were hung from the windows and a tableau of carolers adorned the dining room table.
In 2000, President and Mrs. Clinton prepared for a nostalgic Christmas with their "Holiday Reflections" motif, incorporating treasures from earlier in their administration. Highlights included hundreds of needlepoint stockings on display in the room where FDR gave his "fireside chats," and where President and Mrs. Clinton shook some 3,000 hands on their first day in office in 1993.
The 2000 White House was also decked out in 1,120 feet of garland, 50,000 lights, 220 poinsettias and 44 Christmas trees, 34 inside and 10 on the grounds.
The Clintons' "Winter Wonderland" of 1998 featured snowmen ornaments made by fabric artists who were recommended by the spouse of the Governor of each state. Mittens and hats came from members of The Knitting Guild of America and wooden ornaments were made by members of the Society of Decorative Painters.
For the 1997 "Santa's Workshop" White House, needleworkers, fashion designers and other craftspeople produced ornaments, including 100 miniature Santa Suits, hand-blown glass balls and needlework toys.
Reprising the 1961 "Nutcracker" theme, the 1996 White House trees displayed ornaments made by regional and professional ballet companies, while woodcraft artisans contributed wooden nutcrackers and members of the American Needlepoint Guild and the Embroiders Guild of America fashioned needlepoint stockings.
In 1995, architects and architecture students depicted the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" theme, and culinary schools from across the country dressed the trees with edible ornaments.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" focus of 1994 featured decorations by art and design students from Blue Ribbon Schools, and the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painters made ornaments.
For the "Angels" theme of 1993, 7000 craft artists from around the nation created angels in five different media to place throughout the Executive Mansion.
For details of White House themes from the 1960s through the 1990s, visit the White House Historical Association website at www.whitehousehistory.org.
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