19811981, the White House Historical Association has created the Official White House Christmas Ornament.

What year did the White House ornaments come out?

Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has been proud to design and manufacture the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Collecting and giving these unique ornaments has become a holiday tradition for millions of Americans.

Who started the White House Christmas ornaments?

Though the ornaments themselves are conceived by a new designer every year, they have been manufactured since the beginning of the program by ChemArt, a veteran-founded small business in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

When was the first ornament created?





Thought to have originated in 16th century Germany, the first ornaments were nothing like what we know today.

What was the first Christmas tree ever displayed at the White House?

The first known Christmas tree in the White House was placed upstairs in the Second Floor Oval Room (then used as a family parlor and library) in 1889 during the Benjamin Harrison administration. It was decorated with candles for the Harrison grandchildren.

How many president ornaments are there?

Every year since 1981, when first lady Nancy Reagan first gave approval, the historical association has designed an ornament honoring a president or a key White House anniversary. The association is working its way through all 46 presidents; Johnson was the 36th.

Does post office sell White House ornaments?



All of the ornaments will be made in the USA and will be sold in Post Offices and commercial retail channels,” says Gary Thuro, manager, USPS Licensing. “We are pleased to bring quality products to our customers and generate revenue for the Postal Service.”

What is the oldest Christmas ornament?

The first decorated trees were adorned with apples, white candy canes, and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts and flowers. Glass baubles were first made in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner (1550–1609), who produced garlands of glass beads and tin figures that could be hung on trees.



What is the history of ornaments?

Ornaments today are associated with Christmas but the tradition of decorating evergreen trees started in 16th century Germany. Trees were first thought to be trimmed with real apples to represent the tree of forbidden fruit in the Bible and to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

What is the top of an ornament called?

The very top of a finial can be a floral or foliated element called a bouquet. Smaller finials in materials such as metal or wood are used as a decorative ornament on the tops or ends of poles or rods such as tent-poles or curtain rods or any object such as a piece of furniture.

Which president banned Christmas trees in the White House?

When I was a kid fifty years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt had a bad rap. We learned that way back in the 1900s, he banned Christmas trees from the White House.

When did they start decorating the White House for Christmas?



President Benjamin Harrison erected the first Christmas tree in the White House in 1889, decorated with candles, toys, and ornaments to delight his grandchildren, but it wasn’t until Cleveland’s presidency that the first Christmas lights appeared in 1894.

Which president had the most Christmas trees?

The Eisenhowers would hold that record for three decades. In 1990 they were unseated when the first Bush administration beat them by having over 47 trees as part of their White House Christmas decor. The Clinton administration also topped the Eisenhowers, though they had fewer than the Bushes — just 32 in 1995.

What did first Christmas ornaments look like?

Early ornaments were made out of whatever items that families had available to them – fruit (especially apples), nuts, strings of popcorn and cranberries, paper streamers, candles, and metal foil. They really came to show off American inventiveness!

Are old ornaments worth anything?

Because ornaments have been used annually on holiday trees since around the turn of the 20th century on into the 1920s, they rarely come to market in pristine condition now. When they do, they’re worth a good bit of cash to collectors. Some of these beauties have been reproduced as well.

What old Christmas decorations are worth money?



These are the most valuable vintage Christmas ornaments.

  • Vintage Glass Annealed Leg Victorian Child With Long Hair Christmas Ornament. …
  • Gladys Boalt Vintage Cleopatra Christmas Ornament. …
  • Rare Antique German Mercury Glass Three-Inch Kugel Christmas Ornament. …
  • Early Cotton Batting Father Christmas Ornament.

Why do we put an angel on the Christmas tree?

Because angels appeared high in the sky on the first Christmas, people began placing angels high on the top of their trees as a way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Who put the angel on the Christmas tree?

Quote from video: He shoved it up my. And left me stranded on this Christmas tree.

What is the most popular ornament on top of a Christmas tree?

Quote from video:

What is White House ornament?

The Official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament represents the cherished White House tradition of displaying a gingerbread house each holiday in the State Dining Room.

Where is White House Christmas tree?



Traditionally, the tree in the Blue Room is the official White House Christmas tree. The White House Christmas tree usually stands nearly 20 feet (6.1 m) tall and the crystal chandelier in the Blue Room must be removed for the tree to fit the room.

How do you get a White House Christmas card?

How To Order A White House Christmas Card

  1. Make a request to your Congressman or Congresswoman.
  2. Donate to the Republican or Democratic party whose candidate is in office.
  3. Be a member of the media/press who covers Washington politics.
  4. Convince Party officials that you are an ardent and important supporter.


What are ornaments?

noun. an accessory, article, or detail used to beautify the appearance of something to which it is added or of which it is a part: architectural ornaments. a system, category, or style of such objects or features; ornamentation: a book on Gothic ornament. any adornment or means of adornment.

What does ornaments mean in the Bible?



An ornament is something that lends grace or beauty to something, is a manner or quality that adorns, is a person whose virtues or graces add luster to a place or society, and is the act of adorning or being adorned.

What is the origin of ornament?

From Middle English ornament, from Old French ornement, from Latin ornamentum (“equipment, apparatus, furniture, trappings, adornment, embellishment”), from ornāre, present active infinitive of ornō (“I equip, adorn”). The verb is derived from the noun.

What makes an ornament an ornament?

Definition of ornament



(Entry 1 of 2) 1 archaic : a useful accessory. 2a : something that lends grace, beauty, or festivity holiday ornaments. b : a manner or quality that adorns. 3 : one whose virtues or graces add luster to a place or society.

What is the oldest Christmas ornament?



The first decorated trees were adorned with apples, white candy canes, and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts and flowers. Glass baubles were first made in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner (1550–1609), who produced garlands of glass beads and tin figures that could be hung on trees.

What is the top of an ornament called?

The very top of a finial can be a floral or foliated element called a bouquet. Smaller finials in materials such as metal or wood are used as a decorative ornament on the tops or ends of poles or rods such as tent-poles or curtain rods or any object such as a piece of furniture.

Why do we hang ornaments on a tree?

Tradition states that from that moment, fir trees were brought into Christian homes, decorated in the name of Jesus. Hanging religious ornaments on a tree was a way to honor the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ’s birth.

Is the Christmas tree pagan?

Christmas trees did begin as a pagan tradition as early as the fourth century C.E., according to ABC News. European pagans were largely responsible for dressing their homes with the branches of evergreen fir trees in order to bring color and light into their dull winters. But pagans weren’t the only people to do this.

What is the meaning of the pickle in the Christmas tree?

Description. In the tradition, an ornamental pickle is placed on a Christmas tree as one of the Christmas decorations. On Christmas morning, the first person to find the pickle on the tree would receive an extra present from Santa Claus or would be said to have a year of good fortune.

What does the Christmas tree symbolize in the Bible?

“That became a symbol of Christ — being triangular in shape it represents the trinity — and from there came the idea that the tree should be a symbol of Christ and new life,” Dr Wilson said. “That’s one of the main origins of the Christmas tree and bringing it into the house.”

Where in the Bible does it talk about not celebrating Christmas?

As Jesus said in Luke 16:15, “That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” More importantly, though, Christians are commanded in Galatians 4:10-11 to not observe days of the year such as Christmas, for they are an abomination to the Lord God.

Is Christmas Biblical or pagan?

Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we’ve come to associate with Christmas actually evolved from pagan traditions celebrating the winter solstice.