Exploring the Origin of the Official White House Ornaments: A Historical Perspective | Opinion
This year’s ornament pays tribute to President Jimmy Carter, the only U.S. president to reach 100 years of age and, notably, the first president alive when the ornaments were first created.
It’s incredible how much history can be represented on a Christmas tree.
The tradition of connecting holidays with history began in 1981, thanks to First Lady Nancy Reagan, who supported the creation of a special ornament to adorn the White House and homes nationwide. The White House Historical Association, established by Jacqueline Kennedy to honor the history of the residence, took on the project.
Since that inaugural ornament, which depicted an angel in flight, this annual tradition has linked the holiday season with significant moments in American history.
That first official ornament charmed history enthusiasts and the public alike, kicking off an enduring series.
The 2024 White House Christmas Ornament Celebrates Jimmy Carter
The ornaments typically honor presidents in chronological order.
The ornament representing George Washington, released in 1982, is a precise model of the Dove of Peace weathervane commissioned by the first president for his estate at Mount Vernon.
Some ornaments celebrate significant events in White House history, like the 1989 ornament, which featured a detailed tiny replica of the presidential seal for the bicentennial anniversary of the presidency.
This year’s ornament celebrates Jimmy Carter, America’s 39th president, who is the only president to live to 100 and was the first president to be alive when their ornament was introduced.
The 2024 Christmas ornament is designed as an anchor, a time-honored symbol of hope, representing Carter’s Navy service and his unique connection as the only president to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. The intricate details, including doves, reflect Carter’s commitment to peace, human rights, conflict resolution, and environmental stewardship.
The collection also highlights key events in presidential and White House history.
An ornament from 2000 celebrates the White House’s 200th anniversary, made from stone collected from the same Virginia quarry that provided materials for the original construction of the building.
The ornament for President John F. Kennedy features his official portrait along with a quote from First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, which says, “The White House belongs to the American people” on its reverse side.
Holiday Ornaments Offer a Unique Lens on U.S. History
Beyond the White House itself, these ornaments tell wider stories about American life during each presidency and reflect the technological advances of their times:
- The 2012 ornament honors President William Howard Taft and the nation’s growing love for cars.
- The 2016 ornament represents President Herbert Hoover with a fire truck, reminding us of the fire that damaged the West Wing on Christmas Eve in 1929 and the resilience shown in its reconstruction.
- Meanwhile, the 2019 design honoring President Dwight D. Eisenhower features a detailed depiction of Marine One, illustrating his status as the first sitting president to travel officially by helicopter and acknowledging his embrace of technological change.
Each ornament in this series is a unique creation, developed collaboratively and handcrafted since its inception by a veteran-owned small business in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Over the past 43 years, these ornaments have evolved from simple, flat designs to intricate, vibrant three-dimensional works of art.
An innovative highlight of the 2015 ornament is the inclusion of LED lights that illuminate in tribute to President Calvin Coolidge’s first lighting of the National Christmas Tree in 1923, underscoring another long-standing U.S. holiday tradition.
Each holiday season, the White House showcases the new ornaments. The first lady typically hangs the ornament on a Christmas tree in the mansion, celebrating history, unity, and seasonal joy.
Every year’s ornament holds historical significance, reminding everyone that the White House is more than just a structure – it is the “People’s House,” representing collective heritage and dreams. The Christmas Ornament by the White House Historical Association stands as more than mere dĂ©cor; it embodies a tradition that encapsulates history, featuring one president and significant event at a time.
Stewart D. McLaurin serves as the president of the White House Historical Association and is the director of The People’s House: A White House Experience. Details on obtaining this year’s ornament can be found at whitehousehistory.org/2024
