The National Christmas Tree (R) lights up with the White House in the background. The National Christmas Tree lighting tradition, now in it's 95th year and started by President Calvin Coolidge, kicks off the holiday season in the nation's capital. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump speaks during the lighting
ceremony for the 2017 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, on Thursday. Photo by Al Drago/UPI
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The Beach Boys perform Christmas music during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree ceremony. Other performers included Craig Campbell, Wynonna Judd, Boys II Bow Ties, The Texas Tenors, Jack Wagner, the U.S. Navy Band, Mannheim Steamroller, Us the Duo and Steve Gibson. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump (R) and First Lady Melania Trump greet guests as they arrive. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump told the crowd, "We want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year. Have unbelievable holidays. And we are now going to light a very beautiful tree." Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
(L-R) Tiffany Trump, daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, White House adviser, Jared Kushner, senior White House adviser, and their children Theodore, Joseph, and Arabella, wait for the lighting ceremony. Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump (R) and first lady Melania Trump speak with National Park Service Acting Director Michael Reynolds, during the lighting ceremony. The event is organized by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation. Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
The first Christmas
celebrated in the White House was in 1800 with President John Adams and his wife enjoying the holiday with their granddaughter Suzannah. The first White House Christmas tree was placed in the second floor oval room during President William Henry Harrison's term in 1889. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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The White House holiday card is on display. The tradition of having a White House Christmas card began in 1953 with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The Christmas tree is placed in the Blue Room as has been traditional since President William Howard Taft in 1909. During President Theodore Roosevelt's tenure in the White House he banned the cutting down of trees for decoration in the "People's House" as he was an environmentalist. However, in an act of rebellion, his son Archie smuggled in a small tree that he decorated and hid in a closet in the upstairs sewing room. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The White House in gingerbread. In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt and first lady Edith Roosevelt hosted a "carnival" for 500 children including dinner, dancing, musical entertainment, souvenirs and a special treat of ice cream formed in the shape of Santa. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
In the grand foyer, miniature crystal nutcrackers pay homage to Jacqueline Kennedy's "Nutcracker Suite" which was the first themed tree in the White House and began the tradition. This year will also be the 50th
anniversary of the Nativity scene display being featured in the White House. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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Past White House Christmas themes include the Bush's "Red, White, and Blue Christmas" after letters inspired by Americans who wrote to the White House after 9/11 suggested it. First lady Michelle Obama had a "Simple Gifts" theme in 2010 and said, "The greatest blessings of all are the ones that don't cost a thing: the time that we spend with our loved ones, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and the joy we feel from reaching out to those in need." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
First lady Melania Trump participates in arts and crafts projects with children and students from Joint Base Andrews. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Trump first met children from the Maryland base when she visited in September. She said at the time, "Every child whose parent serves in our great military should be enormously proud because your mom or dad is a true American hero." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Melania said in a press release, "The president, Barron and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House. As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People’s House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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The theme for this year's Christmas is "Time-Honored Traditions" as designed by Melania Trump to pay homage to the 200-year tradition of decorating the White House for the holidays. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The Marine Band has played for the first family every year for two centuries in the grand foyer. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Melania Trump watches as dancers perform to music from the Nutcracker. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1866 edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is on display in the White House library. He would read the story to his family on Christmas Eve. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The China Room at the White House honors the tradition of hospitality. A gilded plateau purchased by President James Monroe is centered on the table. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The China Room, designed for a family Christmas dinner, displays a table setting of President Ronald Reagan's china. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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Garlands decorate many of the White House's architectural features. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
A USO Christmas tree in the East Wing pays tribute to service members. The tree was decorated with gold stars and a patriotic ribbon to honor Gold Star families. The White House is encouraging visitors to write messages to their loved ones on duty. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Mistletoe hangs on the entrance to the East Room. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The Red Room features holiday treats, including peppermints, candy and cookies. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Holiday decorations in the Red Room. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
