Skip to main content

The Festive Evolution of White House Christmas Trees and Decor Over the Years, From Kennedy to Biden

Elaborate Christmas decorations, including a massive Christmas tree, have become a staple of White House end-of-year decor over the last 70 years. The first Christmas tree in the White House dates back to 1889 when Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the U.S., decorated the tree with candles. Christmas trees, originating in Germany, gained popularity in the U.S. in 1850 but didn’t become a widespread tradition until an artificial tree was invented in the 1930s. Not every presidential family set up trees in the White House; it depended if they typically celebrated with a tree, had young kids or grandkids, and lived in the White House during the holidays. The first Christmas tree lit by electric lights is believed to have been used by Grover Cleveland in 1894, three years after the White House got electricity. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower established the tradition of setting up the tree in the Blue Room, which has been continued by every first lady, except when Patricia Nixon set her American flowers-themed tree up in the Entrance Hall. Jacqueline Kennedy created the tradition of the first lady choosing a theme for the White House Christmas tree in 1961. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has held

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.



from WWDWWD https://ift.tt/c7fkVMR

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Michael Urie Is in His Dreamy Era

“It’s been a dreamy couple of years,” says Michael Urie on a Friday afternoon phone call, just hours before a performance of his latest Broadway show “Once Upon a Mattress” at the Hudson Theatre. These dreamy years have also been busy ones for the star, who rose to fame for his role as Marc St. James on the sitcom “Ugly Betty.” Now, Urie stars in the hit Apple TV dramedy “Shrinking” alongside Harrison Ford and Jason Segel — season two premieres Oct. 16. He has also taken the stage by storm over the past couple of years, starring in Broadway’s revival of “Spamalot” and now the revival of “Once Upon a Mattress,” which also had a stint at New York City Center in the winter. While both shows feature Urie in showstopping musical numbers, he never considered himself to be “very musical.”  Michael Urie in “Once Upon a Mattress.” “Doing a musical at all, it’s still a pinch me thing,” he says. “I fell in love with theater because of musicals…[but singing] didn’t come naturally to me.” ...

Prince Harry Returns to London With His Signature Style for the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary

Prince Harry returned to London on Tuesday and Wednesday for events celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Invictus Games Foundation. The Duke of Sussex is the patron of the Invictus Games, a multisport event for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women launched in March 2014. On Tuesday, Prince Harry was joined by journalist Louise Minchin, entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills and more for a panel conversation titled “Realizing a Global Community.” For the occasion, the British royal family member kept his business attire approachable, opting for a gray suit and white button-down shirt with the top few buttons undone. Louise Minchin and Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex’s conversation with panelists highlighted the global impact the Invictus Games have had since their inception 10 years ago. Prince Harry was also on hand for another event on Wednesday. Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex attended The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, ...

The 12 Best Sunscreens for Acne-prone Skin, According to Dermatologists

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission. If you deal with acne, odds are that you think twice before applying anything new on your skin — forbid the wrong serum, moisturizer, or makeup primer causes a flare up. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable in all skin care routines, and the very best sunscreens for acne-prone skin types will keep your skin calm and covered this season. Regardless of your skin type, tone, or texture, sunscreen is vital for preventing skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, daily use of a facial sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 may reduce your risk of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, by a whopping 50 percent, according to a 2011 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Though most dermatologists agree that SPF 30 is the sweet spot for everyday coverage — particularly in the summer, when t...