Did you know the White House has an annual Christmas ornament?
It does, and this year marks its 45th anniversary.
The first ornament was created and sold in 1981 to support the White House Historical Association, whose mission is to preserve the White House’s history. Since 1981, the association has released a new ornament each year, often focusing on a specific president or White House anniversary.
Stewart D. McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, spoke about the ornament while at The Breakers on Nov. 18.
“If I had been in the office with Nancy Reagan in 1981, and a group of staff came in and said, “Let’s do a Christmas ornament,” I would have thought, “OK. Sure. Fine. Do a Christmas ornament,” McLaurin said.
“But thank goodness they did, because this little ornament was the lifeblood of our organization for probably 40 years. And it has been American-made in a little town called Lincoln, Rhode Island, since 1981.
“Each one tells a story. It is not our mission, but it has made our mission possible by selling these across the country. It’s really almost a cult following of people who buy these.”
Here are some facts about the White House Christmas ornament:
What was the first ornament?
The inaugural ornament was the 1981 “Angel in Flight,” which was a gold-toned tree topper, according to whitehousehistory.org.
The second, the 1982 Dove of Peace, honored George Washington, our nation’s first president. The dove of peace is a replica of the weathervane that Washington commissioned for his home at Mount Vernon.
What is the 2025 ornament?
The 2025 edition “honors 150 years of state dinners,” and “honors the elegance and social diplomacy of White House State Dinners, where world leaders have gathered with presidents and first ladies for more than 150 years,” according to whitehousehistory.org.
What is the 2025 White House Christmas ornament made of?
It is made of brass, and finished with 24-karat gold. It features the service plate from the Reagan State china Service (china is fine ceramic dinnerware). on the front. On the back is the Clinton gold-rimmed service plate, distinguished by a gilded White House in the center.
The Reagan and Clinton china services continue to be used for State and Official Dinners today.
The central plates on the ornament are encircled by holly and snowflakes, evoking the traditions of White House holiday decor. It also has a red and gold tassel cord for hanging on a Christmas tree or ornament stand.
How much is the White House Christmas ornament?
The ornament costs $24.95 and can be bought on the White House Historical Association’s website at Shop.WhiteHouseHistory.org. Amazon also sells it.
The ornament comes in a keepsake box, and the ornament is encased in a decorative and protective flocked form and includes an educational booklet detailing the history of White House china services and formal entertaining.
What’s the purpose of the White House Christmas ornaments?
Sales of the ornaments support the White House Historical Association, whose mission is to preserve the White House’s history. The ornaments capture the history of the Executive Mansion and its residents, according to whitehousehistory.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: The White House has had an official Christmas ornament for 45 years
Reporting by John Bisognano and Jodie Wagner, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
