Which president is featured in the 2024 official White House ornament?
The White House Historical Association has released its 2024 White House Christmas Ornament and, for the first time, it’s honoring a living president. Constructed from solid brass and finished in 24-karat gold, this year’s ornament honors President Jimmy Carter. The shape of the ornament, an anchor, represents President Carter’s service with the U.S. Navy while capturing iconic moments from his life and presidency (1976-1980). The former president turned 99 in Ocotber 2023 and is the first president to witness the release of his official White House ornament.
When did the White House start selling presidential ornaments?
The White House Historical Association released its first Official White House Christmas Ornament in 1981. According to the Association, each ornament honors a single president or White House anniversary in a series that “progresses chronologically, and each is a piece of the American story, a uniquely tangible way to learn about the people and events that have shaped history at the Executive Mansion.”
Like all official White House ornaments, this unique keepsake comes in a specially designed box with a booklet on the featured president. According to the White House Historical Association, “both the front and reverse side of the ornament feature peace doves, symbolic of President Carter’s work for peace in the Middle East, and perhaps, most significantly, the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty signed on the North Lawn of the White House on March 26, 1979. On the reverse side of the ornament is the Seawolf-class USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23). Commissioned in 2005, it is the only submarine to be named for a living president. The globe at the center refers to Carter’s lifelong work on environmental conservation. At the base of the anchor is a garland of peanut flowers, a reminder of Carter’s years as a farmer and businessman in Plains, Georgia.”
What is the White House Historical Association?
The White House Historical Association is a charitable nonprofit, nonpartisan institution whose purpose is to enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. To fulfill its purpose, the White House Historical Association produces educational literature, and develops special educational programs interpreting the White House and its history and the persons and events associated with it. From private funding and the sale of its educational products, the Association helps to preserve, protect and provide public access to the rich history of the Executive Mansion.
You can purchase the new 2024 White House ornament, which was made in the U.S. by a veteran-founded business, and all past ornaments, by clicking here. And you’ll find a variety of other official White House Christmas keepsakes by clicking here.
Chris LaFontaine has been a Christmas enthusiast since opening his first Christmas present and after helping to decorate his first Christmas tree. He created Christmaseveryminute.com for those who want to celebrate Christmas a little longer, a little earlier, or every day. You can contact him at celebratechristmaseveryminute@gmail.com to talk all things Christmas, submit your Christmas-themed photos for publishing consideration or to simply share a Christmas story with website readers.
