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All Creatures Great and Small
| The Blue Room has long been the location of the official White House
Christmas Tree. Ed and Cindy Hedlund and their son Thomas, of Hedlund
Christmas Farm in Elma, Washington presented this year's 18-foot noble fir to
President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush. White House photo by Tina Hager.
| The tradition of a placing a decorated tree
in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning during
the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison. The President's grandchildren,
young Benjamin and Mary McKee, led the Harrison household
into the second floor Oval Room to take a look at the first
White House Christmas tree, which was lit with candles. Filled
stockings hung from the mantel, and presents, candy and nuts
were distributed to family and staff. President Harrison gave turkeys
and gloves to his employees, and he received a silver-dollar-shaped
picture holder from his daughter, Mame Harrison McKee.
What began as a family gathering has become
a national tradition. Over the years, the White House Christmas
tree has reflected both the times and the tastes of the First
Family. First Lady Frances Cleveland created a "technology
savvy" tree in 1895 when she hung electric lights on the White
House tree. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition
of Christmas Tree themes when she decorated the 1961 Christmas
tree in toy trimmings from the Nutcracker Suite ballet by
Tchaikovsky.
Today, the First Lady selects a theme and
taps the talents of American artisans, who give life to the
idea. Laura Bush chose "Home for the Holidays" for the 2001
theme, which features replicas of the family homes of the
nation's Presidents.
Past White House Trees
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