White House Christmas Ornaments Through the Years

1981: Angel in Flight

First lady Nancy Reagan launched the tradition of releasing official White House Christmas ornaments each year, starting in 1981. The first design, a trumpeting angel in flight, was inspired by American folk art and celebrated the role of music in White House holiday traditions. Each ornament is still handmade in Rhode Island by a veteran-owned company—a detail that has remained part of the tradition ever since.

1982: Dove of Peace

The second ornament is a tribute to our first president, George Washington. In addition to being a traditional symbol of Christmas, the design is a miniature replica of the dove of peace weathervane that Washington commissioned for his Mount Vernon Home.

1983: The White House

The 1983 ornament honors John Adams, who was the second President of the United States, but the first to live in the White House. The design is of the north facade of the building before the addition of the famed porticos.

1984: The Jefferson Peace Medal

Honoring its namesake president, the design of this ornament is based on the historic Jefferson peace medal, which was minted in 1801. Jefferson’s portrait is on one side of the ornament, while the other side depicts the clasped hands of an American Indian and a soldier, crowned by a pipe of peace and a tomahawk.

1985: Madison Silhouettes

This ornament features the silhouettes of James Madison and his wife, Dolley Madison. The first lady is famous for saving a portrait of George Washington when the British burned the White House in 1814.

1986: The South Portico

The 1986 ornament commemorates James Monroe. It shows the south front of the building as it looked during the 1824 holiday season. The semi-circle portico was built the previous year.

1987: White House Doors

In 1987, the White House Doors ornament honored John Quincy Adams. An avid gardener, he planted a variety of different trees on the grounds, as represented by the evergreen wreaths and red poinsettias.

1988: The President’s Children

This one of the White House Christmas ornaments represents the children of Andrew Jackson. According to the Library of Congress, Jackson adopted, cared for or was guardian to many children throughout his life, but had no biological children of his own.

1989: The Bicentennial of the Presidency

The 1989 ornament commemorates the 200th anniversary of the presidency with the official presidential seal. This seal is displayed on the platform whenever a president makes a public appearance or delivers a speech.

1990: The Blue Room

The Blue Room ornament is a tribute to Martin Van Buren. When Congress gave President Van Buren funds to renovate the White House, he had the oval parlor painted blue, and it has stayed that color ever since.

1991: White Charger

The 1991 ornament honors William Henry Harrison, who mounted a white charger (aka a horse) en route to the Capital to take his official oath of office. He passed away just 32 days later.

1992: Bicentennial of White House Cornerstone

One face of this ornament features the text on the White House’s first cornerstone. The other side is a reproduction of an 1848 lithograph of the building’s north side, based on a watercolor painting by the artist August Kollner.

1993: May and September

The 1993 ornament is a tribute to John Tyler. He was the first president to get married while in office. His second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler, was 30 years his junior.

1994: Imperial Christmas

Honoring James K. Polk, this cameo ornament features an illustration of the president and his wife on the South Lawn as the United States Marine Band plays.

1995: A Patriotic Christmas

The 1995 ornament is dedicated to the 12th president, Zachary Taylor. Its design is inspired by the Fourth of July celebration he attended in 1850 at the Washington Monument, just days before his sudden death.

1996: The Presidential Seal

This ornament honors the 13th president, Millard Fillmore, who sketched the seal himself, along with an image of the White House’s North Portico.

1997: The White House Grounds

The design of this 1997 ornament was inspired by President Franklin Pierce’s renovations and redecoration of the White House. Presidents and their families aren’t the only residents of the White House.

1998: The American Bald Eagle and Shield

The eagle and shield on this 1998 ornament first appeared on the glassware President Andrew Jackson commissioned for the White House in 1829. The ornament commemorates James Buchanan, who was the last president to use that pattern.

1999: Portrait of President Abraham Lincoln

Honoring the 16th President of the United States, this ornament is a replica of his official White House portrait. The frame surrounding the portrait was inspired by a Civil War-era frame from the White House collection.

2000: 200th Anniversary of the White House

This ornament is made of stone from the same Aquia quarry sourced to construct the White House itself, depicting the north and south facades.

2001: A First Family’s Carriage Ride

The charming 2001 official White House ornament is a replica of the horse-drawn carriage often used by President Andrew Johnson. Carriage rides were one of his favorite things to do with his family.

2002: The East Room in 1902

Inspired by the East Room’s Glass chandeliers, the 2002 ornament includes a holiday ribbon, acanthus leaves from the East Room’s Louis XVI-style wall panels and a sturdy eagle, as a tribute to the decor in the room.

2003: Child’s Rocking Horse

This ornament honors President Ulysses S. Grant and his family. The design is inspired by toys sold at a fancy goods store in Washington, D.C., during his administration.

2004: A First Family’s Sleigh Ride

A tribute to Rutherford B. Hayes, the 2004 ornament depicts the president’s favorite season and family activity on the North Lawn of the White House.

2005: The South Facade

The 2005 ornament is a tribute to James A. Garfield, who was shot and died before the end of the first year of his term. The design of the collectible is a reflection of the 20th president’s personal style, with his monogram featured at the bottom center portion of the wreath.

2006: Tiffany Glass in the White House

This beautiful ornament honors President Chester A. Arthur, who assumed office just six months after serving as vice president to James A. Garfield. The Tiffany-inspired glass represents an upturn in the nation’s economy as a result of his presidency, which began in 1881.

2007: A President Marries in the White House

The 2007 ornament honors 22nd President Grover Cleveland. In 1886, the then 49-year-old bachelor married 21-year-old Frances Folsom. He was the first U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms.

2008: A Victorian Christmas Tree

This ornament is dedicated to President Benjamin Harrison, who famously said, “We shall have an old-fashioned Christmas Tree for the grandchildren upstairs, and I shall be their Santa Claus myself.”

2009: First Electric Christmas Lights

The 2009 ornament depicts the first electric Christmas lights in the White House. With a hologram that displays the south facade during snowfall, it serves as a tribute to President Cleveland’s holiday celebrations.

2010: U.S. Marine Band

The 2010 ornament depicts the U.S. Marine band playing during the administration of President William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States.

2011: Santa Visits the White House

This ornament represents the excitement associated with the first family’s first White House Christmas during Roosevelt’s administration. It depicts Santa Claus on the North Lawn announcing, “I hear that there are some kids in the White House this year.”

2012: First Presidential Automobile

This ornament honors President William Howard Taft, who was the first president to officially use an automobile in 1909, ending the long tradition of horse-drawn carriages. He and his wife, Nellie, are depicted being driven by their chauffeur, George H. Robinson.

2013: The American Elm Tree

The 2013 ornament commemorates Woodrow Wilson, who planted an American Elm tree on the North Lawn shortly before Christmas in 1913.

2014: Voyage of Understanding

The 2014 ornament is a tribute to Warren G. Harding, who, as a young boy, dreamed of becoming an engineer. While president, he took over the control of the Alaska Railroad for several hours during the “Voyage of Understanding.”

2015: First Lighting of the Christmas Tree

The 2015 ornament depicts President Coolidge’s lighting of the first White House Christmas tree. The ceremony took place on Christmas Eve 1923.

2016: Herbert Hoover and the West Wing Fire in 1929

The 2016 ornament honors Herbert Hoover, the 31st U.S. president. The design is inspired by the fire trucks that responded to the 1929 Christmas Eve fire during his administration.

2017: Honoring Franklin D. Roosevelt

The 2017 ornament commemorates the administration of 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The eagle cartouche is a replica of the one on the speaker’s stand at his first inauguration. As the enactor of the New Deal and president during World War II, FDR left his mark on the world.

2018: Harry S. Truman’s White House and Seal

The 2018 ornament depicts the changes the 33rd president made to the seal, as well as his renovations to the White House. The change to the seal was small but symbolic—the American eagle was originally looking to its left talons, which hold a cluster of spears; Truman had it redesigned in 1945 to have the eagle look toward its right talons, which hold olive branches, the universal symbol of peace.

As for the changes to the White House, Truman added a balcony to the South Portico; it came to be known as the Truman Balcony and is seen on the front of the ornament. The other side features the renovated Blue Room, which was rebuilt during the renovation from 1948 to 1952.

2019: White House Helicopter

It wasn’t an accident that the White House Historical Association picked a helicopter to honor Eisenhower for this year’s ornament; in 1957, he was the first sitting president to travel by one regularly. One side of the helicopter features the Presidential Seal, a representation of Eisenhower’s two terms as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, and the other side shows his five-star rank, a tribute to his service as a general in the United States Army.

2020: The Kennedy Blue Room

The 2020 ornament honors John F. Kennedy and features his posthumous official White House portrait. On the back is a quote from first lady Jacqueline Kennedy—”The White House belongs to the American people”—who restored the White House State Rooms to represent an earlier era and took part in a TV special to share them with the public.

2021: Lyndon Johnson’s Texas Roots

The 2021 ornament honors President Lyndon B. Johnson. It depicts a wreath inspired by the Christmas decorations used during his time in the White House, along with imagery reflecting his Texas heritage and commitment to public service.

2022: The Nixon Family’s Holiday Traditions

The 2022 ornament honors President Richard Nixon. It shows a gingerbread White House and holiday scenes inspired by the Nixon family’s Christmas celebrations, including their love of music and festive decor.

2023: President Gerald R. Ford

The 2023 ornament honors President Gerald R. Ford. It features a holiday wreath with design elements inspired by the Fords’ time in the White House, including symbols of unity, family and seasonal traditions.

2024: President Jimmy Carter

The 2024 ornament honors President Jimmy Carter. The ornament’s anchor shape represents Carter’s service in the U.S. Navy, and the design also features images that reflect peace, service and faith, values closely associated with Carter’s presidency and personal life.

2025: 150 Years of State Dinners

The 2025 ornament marks the 150th anniversary of State Dinners at the Executive Mansion. It’s made from delicate brass and finished with 24-karat gold. It features two iconic plates from the State China collection, honoring decades of presidential hospitality and diplomacy.

FAQs

Are the White House Christmas ornaments made in the USA?

Yes, they are. Every official ornament is handcrafted in the United States, typically by a veteran-owned company based in Rhode Island.

How much do official White House ornaments cost?

Prices vary by year and design, but most ornaments retail for around $24. Sets or older editions may cost more, especially collectible releases.

Can I buy past White House ornaments?

You can. The White House Historical Association offers current and past designs through its official shop, though availability may be limited for earlier years.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• White House Historical Association: “Ornaments”
• Library of Congress: “Andrew Jackson: Family History”