The White House Historical Association’s Official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament represents the cherished White House tradition of displaying a gingerbread house each holiday in the State Dining Room.

A perfect addition to any holiday tree, this American-made holiday ornament illustrates this decades-long tradition, complete with delicate icing, red and white striped candies, gumdrops, and candy canes. If you look closely, you can even see little gingerbread children frolicking in front of the North Portico. Included with this beautifully gift-boxed keepsake is a gingerbread scented insert, booklet, and recipe card ​featuring a gingerbread recipe from First Lady Pat Nixon’s time at the White House.

Whether you display this on your tree, wreath or on a stand as part of your home decor, the ornament’s design is two-sided so there’s no wrong view. Designed by an American artist and produced by a veteran-founded business, you’ll love this whimsical addition to your holiday collection.

Did you know, prior to 1969, gingerbread had been used for decorating Christmas trees, and, at times, gifts of gingerbread houses had been sent to the White House? Or, that it was not until that year under First Lady Pat Nixon that the first official White House gingerbread house was created? Mrs. Nixon asked Assistant Chef Hans Raffert to build a traditional German A-frame style house for the Nixon family. Chef Raffert continued making a gingerbread house in this fashion every year until his retirement in 1992. Since then, White House gingerbread displays have become larger and more elaborate under White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, who oversaw the creation of festive villages, childhood homes, castles, national monuments and historic sites, and marzipan sculptures of the first families and their pets. The White House Historical Association’s Official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament represents the cherished White House tradition of displaying a gingerbread house each holiday in the State Dining Room.

Every ornament supports the work of our historians, researchers and archivists to discover hidden figures, educate the public about lesser-known stories, and preserve White House History.

SPECIAL PURCHASING NOTE

The sale of the Official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament is intended for individuals to add to their personal collections. Any individual or organization wanting to purchase the ornament for resale must register a wholesale account on our website. The Association reserves the right to limit quantities, refuse orders, and/or cancel orders at its discretion.

For more information on our wholesale account process, visit our Wholesale Account Information