The history of White House Christmas trees, including Theodore Roosevelt's decision to end the holiday tradition.

Presidents past and present have displayed breathtaking Christmas trees at the White House.

In 1889, the first Christmas tree was displayed in the White House by former President Benjamin Harrison, in the Second Floor Oval Room.

According to the White House Historical Association, the first known Christmas tree to be displayed in the White House was decorated with candles for Harrison's grandchildren.

During Theodore Roosevelt's presidency from 1901 to 1909, there is no clear evidence that a Christmas tree ban was in place, and the reasons for this are not fully understood.

Roosevelt may have banned the Christmas tree from the White House due to environmental concerns.

In 1901, Roosevelt attempted to halt the tradition of having Christmas trees in homes due to his worry about forest destruction. The National Christmas Tree Association concurred with this notion, stating it on their website.

The tradition of a Christmas tree at the White House was not established until the 1920s, with presidents prior to Roosevelt deciding whether or not to have a tree.

According to the source, it was mainly families with young children who opted to display and decorate Christmas trees in their homes during the early days of the tradition.

The claim that Roosevelt banned Christmas trees at the White House is a "myth," according to the White House Historical Association, with little evidence to support it other than the fact that the family opted not to put up a tree.

According to the source, the Roosevelt family celebrated Christmas with many popular traditions like gift exchanges, attending church service, and enjoying a lovely meal as a family, but they did not put up a tree.

In 1902, Archie Roosevelt, the president's son, secretly placed a miniature tree in a White House closet and decorated it, presenting it to his family.

The president permitted the continuation of the tradition, according to the White House Association.

The reason for Roosevelt not having a large tree on display during his presidency is not linked to his conservationism, but rather because the Christmas tree tradition was not practiced by the family, according to the White House Association.

In 1912, the first Christmas tree was displayed in the Blue Room by former President William H. Taft's children as a surprise for their parents.

During Dwight Eisenhower's presidency, the Christmas tree was consistently placed in the Blue Room by his first lady, Mamie. This tradition was continued by Jackie Kennedy, as per the White House Association.

In 1961, Kennedy started the tradition of decorating the Blue Room tree with a theme, which is still followed today.

Jill Biden selected a "Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 White House theme, while Kennedy initially chose the "Nutcracker Suite" ballet for the Christmas tree theme.

The annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, initiated in 1923 by former President Calvin Coolidge, is a modern tradition that has endured.

According to the National Christmas Tree Lighting website, the tree that was lit in 1923 was a 48-foot Balsam fir.

Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has been providing a Christmas tree for display in the Blue Room of the White House.

The family-owned and operated Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, North Carolina provided the 2024 White House tree.