Vintage Photos of Presidents Celebrating the Holidays Through the Years
Vintage Photos of Presidents Celebrating the Holidays Through the Years
Between the White House Easter Egg Roll and the elaborate decorations for Christmas, the president and first lady typically go all out for holidays while living in the White House. From carrying out long-standing traditions to celebrating privately with their family, see how former first families got into the festive spirit—no matter the season.
1922: Easter
President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Harding watch the White House Easter Egg Roll from the balcony in 1922. The tradition began during the Hayes administration in 1878 and still happens today.
1927: New Year's Day
President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge host the annual New Year's Reception at the White House in 1927. Held since 1801, the reception was one of Washington's biggest events until President Herbert Hoover cancelled it in 1932.
1927: Independence Day
President Coolidge dresses in Western garb with the First Lady, as they celebrate the 4th of July at their Summer White House—a.k.a. the State Game Lodge in South Dakota.
1933: Thanksgiving
President Franklin D. Roosevelt carves the Thanksgiving turkey as his wife, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, looks on during their White House celebrations in 1933.
1933: Easter
Eleanor Roosevelt tends to bouquets of Easter lilies on the patio of the White House. The flowers were given to her as a gift from the Governor General of Bermuda.
1934: Christmas
Visitors make their way to the East Room of the White House to see the official Christmas tree decorations.
1940: Christmas
The Roosevelts gather with their children and grandchildren for Christmas celebrations at the White House in 1940.
1948: Thanksgiving
President Harry S. Truman deciding which turkey to spare on Thanksgiving, as part of the presidential turkey pardon tradition.
1954: Thanksgiving
President Dwight D. Eisenhower looks pleased as he grants a turkey pardon during Thanksgiving in 1954.
1958: Christmas Eve
President Eisenhower and the First Lady are joined by their son, John Eisenhower, and his family on Christmas Eve. The First Family was photographed outside of the White House carrying presents.
1961: St. Patrick's Day
Caroline Kennedy wears a green ribbon pin as she walks around the White House portico with her father on St. Patrick's Day. Even President John F. Kennedy got into the festive spirit, donning a green neck tie.
1962: Christmas
The White House is no stranger to Christmas morning chaos. While living at the White House, the Kennedys spent Christmas with First Lady Jackie Kennedy's sister, Lee Radziwill, and her family.
1963: Halloween
President Kennedy gets a visit in the Oval Office from his children, Caroline and John Jr., in their costumes for Halloween.
1963: Easter
The Kennedys spent Easter weekend at their home in Palm Beach, Florida in 1963. Here, the family is photographed in their Sunday best before heading to church for the holiday.
1967: Thanksgiving
President Lyndon B. Johnson stares down the candidate for that year's presidential turkey pardon. The bird was presented to the President by the National Turkey Federation.
1967: Christmas
Lady Bird Johnson showcases the theme of the White House Christmas tree in 1967. The tradition of having a themed tree began with Jackie Kennedy in 1961.
1968: Easter
Lady Bird Johnson celebrates Easter with her daughter and grandson on the lawn of the White House.
1969: Halloween
First Daughter Tricia Nixon hands out goodies to trick-or-treaters at the North Portico entrance of the White House in 1969.
1969: Christmas
Every member of the Nixon family got into the holiday spirit—even the family's dogs. Pasha, Vicki, and King Timahoe are photographed with their own miniature Christmas tree at the White House in 1969.
1970: Easter
Before the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Tricia Nixon poses with the Easter Bunny and a clown in the lawn.
1970: Mother's Day
The Nixon family gathered in May 1970 to celebrate Mother's Day together, which included a stroll through the White House Rose Garden after a church service.
1975: Christmas
First Lady Betty Ford dons a red and green apron and Christmas wreath broach as she unveils the 1975 White House Christmas tree.
1977: Easter
President Jimmy Carter gives his grandson a lift to the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities in 1977, which took place on the South Lawn.
1981: Christmas
First Lady Nancy Reagan pops into the White House kitchen to offer a hand in preparing Christmas desserts in 1981. The First Lady was dressed in a festive red dress for the occasion.
1981: Valentine's Day
As they disembark Air Force One, President Reagan surprises his wife with a giant heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day.
1982: Thanksgiving
After pardoning the turkey, President Reagan enjoys some much needed R&R with his wife. The couple spent Thanksgiving on their ranch.
1983: Christmas
With the official White House Christmas trees done and decorated, Nancy Reagan enlists the help of the Commander in Chief to decorate the tree in their private residence.
1983: Easter
The Reagans autograph Easter eggs for children at the White House Easter Egg Roll, while surrounded by Easter bunnies and clowns.
1985: Christmas
President Reagan surprises his wife with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for Christmas. The puppy, later named Rex, arrived with a festive bow tied around his collar.
1986: Valentine's Day
Nancy Reagan is accompanied by Rex on a shopping trip to pick out a Valentine's Day card for the President in 1986.
1986: Independence Day
The Reagans celebrate the 4th of July aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in New York City's harbor. Naturally, they were decked out in red, white, and blue.
1990: Valentine's Day
President George H. W. Bush takes time to look at the Valentine's Day cards that were sent to him by students across the country.
1991: Christmas
President Bush reads a book to his grandchildren during a Christmas Eve visit at the White House in 1991.
1993: St. Patrick's Day
President Bill Clinton accepts a bowl of shamrocks from the ambassador of Ireland on St. Patrick's Day. The annual exchange is known as the St. Patrick's Day shamrock ceremony and began in 1952.
1999: Valentine's Day
Since the President and First Lady were traveling on February 14, the Clintons shared their giant box of Valentine's Day chocolates with the media on board Air Force One.
2000: Thanksgiving
Before carving the turkey, President Clinton poses for the camera. The First Family spent the holidays at Camp David in Maryland.
2000: Memorial Day
President Clinton removes his cap for a moment of silence as a horn player plays "Taps" at the White House on Memorial Day.
2001: Christmas
President George W. Bush makes calls to members of the military on Christmas Eve in 2001. The President and his family spent the holiday at Camp David.
2002: Halloween
President Bush greets a group of well-dressed trick-or-treaters on Halloween at the White House in 2002.
2005: Easter
President Bush and his family attend a church service at Camp David's Evergreen Chapel on Easter Sunday. The First Family was joined by former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.
2009: Halloween
First Lady Michelle Obama dresses up as a cheetah as she and President Barack Obama hand out treats to children at the White House on Halloween.
2009: Father's Day
Just like many dads, President Obama spent his Father's Day behind the grill. No need for fancy chefs for him.
2020: Thanksgiving
President Donald Trump pardons a turkey named Corn during a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden in 2020.
2021: Valentine's Day
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden spread a little love during Valentine's Day with heart-shaped signs with sweet messages on them on the White House lawn.
They go all out at the White House.
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