Letter #80 Christmas with the Nixons

in Featured Letters from Yorba Linda by Jimmy Byron — December 22, 2010 at 11:14 am | 0 comments

“Think Mariah Carey is the queen of Christmas cheer? Think again.” MSNBC recently highlighted as a part of its BLTWY programming – a series of news, political, and entertainment stories and photographs – that the true Queen of Christmas was Pat Nixon, credited with introducing the most festive traditions of any First Lady.

For five Christmases, Mrs. Nixon oversaw and approved the decorating of the White House in all aspects. She ordered wreaths by the dozens, including four measuring 50 inches each, and sixteen special ones reserved for the windows looking out to Pennsylvania Avenue. Garland, holly, and “poinsettia trees” were in abundance; there was even a pear tree, complete with partridge.

As the bright chandelier lights were replaced by festive red bulbs, pastry chefs Heinz Bender and Hans Raffert added the final touches to their Gingerbread House, displayed prominently in the State Dining Room. Begun by Mrs. Nixon in 1969, the tradition continues today, as these holiday customs are among her most lasting legacies.

The most popular addition was opening the White House for candlelit evening tours. Julie Nixon Eisenhower recounted that because so many Americans would be working and unable to see the decorations, Mrs. Nixon opened the house at night. She said she wanted visitors to tour the mansion’s famous rooms, “so filled with history, and now aglow with the magic and spirit of Christmas.” Army, Navy, and Air Force bands contributed to the ambiance by playing Christmas Carols in the Grand Foyer, which over 20,000 people enjoyed annually.

The decorations weren’t the only things that set the Nixon White House apart; as the White House hostess, Mrs. Nixon’s calendar was full of dozens of parties, large and small, as well as Sunday Worship Services.

The President’s penchant for Christmas festivities was well known among his staff; said one aide: “When the President gets going on Christmas, there’s no stopping him.” Well, not quite. In 1970, as Mrs. Nixon was showing him the decorations, he tried to break off a piece of the Gingerbread House. “Don’t you dare!” said Mrs. Nixon – he didn’t.

Related posts:

1. Letter #14: A Child’s Christmas In Whittier
2. Letter #70 – Christmas, What Price Nixon?