This 2019 White House Holidays Green Room ornament is the second in a series of ornaments featuring White House Rooms that graced the Presidents' official Christmas cards and gifts. The first, the White House Holidays Red Room ornament was introduced in 2018. The Blue Room will be featured in 2020. Collect the Trio of State Room Ornaments.
The Green Room is one of the most treasured State parlors in the White House due to its color, furniture and paintings. The Green Room was featured by four Presidents and First Ladies on their official Christmas cards and gifts. Over the years, the First Families have used the Green Room as a parlor for hosting teas, small receptions and dinners to encourage informal conversation, and as a sitting or drawing room.
Dwight Eisenhower enjoyed painting and allowed six of his original creations to be used as Christmas gifts for his staff. Experiencing health issues midway through his administration, "Ike" gifted photographs instead of paintings for two years. In 1957, President and Mrs Eisenhower chose a color photo of the Green Room as their staff gift. The Eisenhowers' Christmas gift was embossed with the Presidential Seal which also was the centerpiece of the carpet on the floor in the Green Room. The gift carried the sentiment: “With best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season.”
Jacqueline Kennedy made extensive renovations to the White House, which included the Green Room. When Mrs. Kennedy showcased her home to the nation on Valentine's Day, the Philadelphia Bulletin published watercolors of the State Rooms. Mrs. Kennedy saw the art of illustrator, Edward Lehman and asked him to paint additional paintings for her personal use. In 1963, the Kennedy's decided to give the Green Room watercolor as their Christmas gift in 1963. Hallmark reproduced 2300 gift prints with the sentiment: "With our appreciation and best wishes for a happy Christmas 1963." It included the printed signatures of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Nancy Reagan began a search for a young American artist who could paint a detailed watercolor of the Green Room for the Reagan’s official Christmas card and gift in 1983. Mark Hampton was able to capture the detail in the French crystal chandelier, the Duncan Phyfe secretary and the 1767 portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
President and Mrs. Clinton chose Thomas McKnight to design their 1996 Christmas card and print. True to his contemporary style, McKnight added fantasy to the historically correct room. McKnight included his version of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait hanging above the fireplace.
Quick Note About the Design
This ornament is even more beautiful in your hands and on your tree than it is in the pictures. The 3-D chandelier is physically mounted above the rest of the ornament, casting real shadows. The green banner at the bottom of the ornament is surfaced above the beautiful gold frame. Much attention was paid to details in the design.
Details
- Finish: 24 karat gold
- Size: 3 1/4" x 2 3/4 x 1/4"
- Included: Ornament, history card
- Package: Beautiful, custom green and gold box
- Origin: Made in America
- Exclusivity: These ornaments are designed and made exclusively by White House Holidays, and should not be confused with other official ornaments by the White House Historical Association.
About The White House Holidays Annual Series
This ornament is a continuation of a series of White House Holidays annual ornaments that complement "Season's Greetings from the White House," now in its eighth edition. The book documents nearly a century of Christmases at the White House - from Calvin Coolidge to Donald J. Trump.
Find Out More
Read all about this collectible ornament with the history card that accompanies the ornament in its beautiful green and gold box. A description of the Christmas cards that inspired the ornament can be found in the book, "Season's Greetings from the White House" by Mary Evans Seeley.