Jacqueline Kennedy: The Nutcracker Suite

Jacqueline Kennedy, while always chic and stylish, also embodied a cozy, classic and homespun tone when it came to the Holidays. Her first theme, “The Nutcracker” portrayed her love for ballet, classical music and culture. Plentiful use of miniature ornaments, especially wrapped mini presents and faux candlelight clips, were a common theme in her Christmas trees. In 1961, a Victorian Style decorated Christmas Tree was the centerpiece for the holiday and filled with a variety of angels, birds, candy canes, and white snowflakes. The theme in 1962 was “The Children’s Tree” in Mrs. Kennedy’s pursuit of capturing the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of children. This tree was placed in the Grand Foyer and covered in stuffed animals, tiny twig stars, more miniature presents and reindeer. (Photos courtesy of White House Photographs, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)