Presidential Christmas Addresses

Traditionally, "Merry Christmas" has been a safe and generally appreciated greeting for the 'holly-draped' time of the year, but in the spirit of inclusivity, it has become important to remember that not everyone celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Just about everyone celebrates something in December, if only the retail madness of the shopping season, so "Happy Holidays" has become a default, 'politically correct' greeting.

One person who is expected to say the right thing during the season is the President of the United States (some would point out that it would be the right thing because POTUS says it). The First Family does not set the tone for all Americans to the extent that other leaders have, but the White House does influence fashion and tastes.

The first White House Christmas Tree was set up in the Second Floor Oval Room in 1889 to be enjoyed by Benjamin Harrison's grandchildren. It has been widely reported that Teddy Roosevelt objected to Christmas Trees, fearing the practice would encourage deforestation. In 1902, little Archie Roosevelt snuck a small tree into the Mansion and hid it in his closet until he could present it to the family fully decorated; the President was so delighted that it became a family tradition.

President Coolidge began the tradition of lighting a National Christmas Tree on December 24, 1923, when he flipped the switch to illuminate a 48-foot tall balsam fir from Vermont festooned with 2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs. Today, the National Park Service runs "the Pathway of Peace" surrounding the National Christmas Tree, a collection of 56 trees decorated to represent each State and Territory. The National Tree and the Pathway of Peace are illuminated each night around sunset and the lights are extinguished promptly at 10:00 pm Sunday-Thursday and 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. This collection includes presidential Christmas and holiday addresses. 

See also:

• Herbert Hoover
• FDR Fireside Chats 
• Harry Truman
• Dwight D Eisenhower
• John F Kennedy
• Lyndon Johnson
• Richard Nixon
• Gerald Ford
• Jimmy Carter
• Ronald Reagan
• George HW Bush
• Bill Clinton
• George W Bush
• Barack Obama
• Donald Trump
• President Inaugurations
• Presidential Campaigns
• State of Union Addresses
• Mr President Old Time Radio Series