EntertainingMagazine

Christmas at the Kennedy White House

This napkin fold was used when the Kennedys were in the White House. It is a simple fold, but still very beautiful. Here are some impressions from that time.

 

Kennedy White House, John and Jacqueline Kennedy, 1962
John and Jacqueline Kennedy
Photograph by Robert Knudsen, 13 December 1961

In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas tree. She decorated a tree placed in the oval Blue Room with ornamental toys, birds and angels modeled after Petr Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet. Mrs. Kennedy reused these ornaments in 1962 for her children’s theme tree. Set up in the North Entrance, this festive tree also featured brightly wrapped packages, candy canes, gingerbread cookies and straw ornaments made by disabled or senior citizen craftspeople throughout the United States.

 

Kennedy White House Table, 1961
Kennedy White House Table, 1961

 

Kennedy White House napkin fold

 

White House Christmas Tree, 1961
White House Christmas Tree
Blue Room, 1961

I love this 18 ft Balsam tree. In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the official White House Christmas tree. She decorated a tree placed in the oval Blue Room with ornamental toys, birds and angels modeled after Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet. Mrs. Kennedy reused these ornaments in 1962 for her children’s theme tree. Set up in the North Entrance, this festive tree also featured brightly wrapped packages, candy canes, gingerbread cookies and straw ornaments made by disabled or senior citizen craftspeople throughout the United States. The blue ribbon looks so regal and ties the room together.

 

Lighting-of-National-Christmas-Tree_John-F-Kennedy
Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony by John F. Kennedy
17 December 1962

 

The National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree

John F. Kennedy Library and Museum

2020