Christmas at the White House
Look back at presidential decorations and celebrations through the years in Christmas at the White House, a book of beautifully restored photos by Jennifer B. Pickens.
![President and Mrs. Kennedy at the White House President and Mrs. Kennedy at the White House](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-17-284x426.jpg)
As reception guests look on, President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy pose for a photo in front of the 1962 official tree in the Grand Foyer.
![Caroline Kennedy at the White House Caroline Kennedy at the White House](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-1-284x426.jpg)
Four-year-old Caroline Kennedy gets a long-anticipated look at the enchanting decorations on the Blue Room tree.
![Patricia Nixon and Julie Eisenhower Nixon Patricia Nixon and Julie Eisenhower Nixon](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-4-284x426.jpg)
Mother and daughter (Patricia Nixon and Julie Eisenhower Nixon) admire the gingerbread house in the State Dining Room, 1963.
![Lady Bird Johnson at the White House Lady Bird Johnson at the White House](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-2-284x426.jpg)
Jane Engelhard, her daughter Annette Reed de la Renta and 6-year-old granddaughter Beatrix Reed pose with Lady Bird Johnson at the unveiling of the Engelhard family's gift to the White House, December 15, 1967.
![The Johnsons gather for a family portrait in the private residence. The Johnsons gather for a family portrait in the private residence.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-3-284x426.jpg)
The Johnsons gather for a family portrait in the private residence, 1968.
![Betty and Susan Ford at the White House Betty and Susan Ford at the White House](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-5-284x426.jpg)
Betty and Susan Ford make ornaments for the tree in the Solarium of the private residence.
![First Lady Rosalynn Carter displays a ball gown made for daughter Amy. First Lady Rosalynn Carter displays a ball gown made for daughter Amy.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-7-284x426.jpg)
First lady Rosalynn Carter displays a ball gown made for daughter Amy. It was designed by Louis Nichole after one of the Victorian dolls on the tree and handmade from Nottingham lace tablecloths.
![President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-6-284x426.jpg)
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan peer through the flocked branches of the trees in the East Room, 1984.
![A Marine Band pianist plays in the Grand Foyer. A Marine Band pianist plays in the Grand Foyer.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-8-284x426.jpg)
A Marine Band pianist plays the Steinway grand piano in the Grand Foyer among sparkling Christmas trees.
![President Bush at Camp David President Bush at Camp David](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-18-284x426.jpg)
President George H.W. Bush reads Christmas stories to his grandchildren during the holidays at Camp David.
![The Blue Room set for a Christmas party for Mrs. Bush's 2005 All Things Bright and Beautiful theme. The Blue Room set for a Christmas party for Mrs. Bush's 2005 All Things Bright and Beautiful theme.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-9-284x426.jpg)
The Blue Room set for a Christmas party for Laura Bush's 2005 All Things Bright and Beautiful theme.
![The Official White House tree arrives at the White House. The Official White House tree arrives at the White House.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-10-284x426.jpg)
The official White House tree arrives at the White House.
![Barney and Mrs. Beazly outside the South Portico of the White House. Barney and Mrs. Beazly outside the South Portico of the White House.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-11-284x426.jpg)
President George W. Bush's dogs, Barney and Mrs. Beazly, outside the South Portico of the White House.
![Larry Forrest of the national Park Service assembles 12-foot-tall nutcrackers for Mrs. Bush's 2003 Christmas, A Season of Stories. Larry Forrest of the national Park Service assembles 12-foot-tall nutcrackers for Mrs. Bush's 2003 Christmas, A Season of Stories.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-12-284x426.jpg)
Larry Forrest of the national Park Service assembles 12-foot-tall nutcrackers from ETC Hoffmans The Nutcracker and the Mouse King for Laura Bush's 2003 Christmas, A Season of Stories.
![The 2008 Gingerbread House in the State Dinning Room The 2008 Gingerbread House in the State Dinning Room](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-13-284x426.jpg)
The 2008 Gingerbread House in the State Dining Room, trimmed for a Red, White and Blue Christmas theme.
![Handmade ornaments on one of the many White House Christmas trees Handmade ornaments on one of the many White House Christmas trees](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-14-284x426.jpg)
Handmade ornaments adorn one of the many White House Christmas trees.
![First Lady Laura Bush at the White House First Lady Laura Bush at the White House](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-15-284x426.jpg)
First lady Laura Bush and executive pastry chef Roland Mesnier display the gingerbread house for the press on December 4, 2003.
![Hillary Clinton gazes at the recently restored White House Creche. . Hillary Clinton gazes at the recently restored White House Creche. .](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/seriesandspecials/screeningroom/20091217-christmas-white-house-19-284x426.jpg)
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton gazes at the restored White House Creche, 1999.
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Published 12/17/2009