The only president to forbid Christmas trees at the White House was Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States. This occurred in the 1850s, a time of political unrest and conflicting views on Christmas trees among the general people. Pierce made the decision to forgo the custom of the White House being decorated with a Christmas tree at the time because he was going through a personal sorrow.
The custom of adorning Christmas trees originated in Germany in the 16th century, and German immigrants carried it to America in the 19th century. Christmas trees first gained popularity in the US in the 1840s, and by the time Franklin Pierce became president, they had become a long-standing custom. Pierce, an ardent Episcopalian, considered Christmas trees as a pagan emblem and thought their usage in the White House was improper.
Christmas trees remained popular in America and in the White House despite Pierce’s prohibition. In actuality, Benjamin Harrison was the first president to decorate the White House for Christmas in 1889. Every president since has maintained the custom, and the White House Christmas tree has come to represent the festive season.
Multicolored lights are one of the most widely used Christmas tree decorations. According to legend, these lights first appeared in the early 20th century, when a corporation by the name of General Electric started making electric light strings for Christmas trees. The lights were all one color in the beginning, but as technology developed, it was feasible to make lights of varied hues. Today, multicolored lights are a standard component of Christmas tree ornaments and are frequently utilized to produce a joyful and festive ambiance.
Fairy lights are another common Christmas tree ornament. The term “fairy lights” refers to the usage of these tiny, tinkling lights to produce a mystical and whimsical atmosphere. In the nineteenth century, small, ornamental lights used in theaters and other entertainment places were referred to as “fairy lights” in the UK. Fairy lights are becoming a common Christmas tree ornament as well as for other events like weddings and parties.
The 12 emblems of Christmas are a collection of images that stand in for the various facets of the holiday season. The Christmas tree, star, wreath, holly, candy cane, gingerbread man, snowman, reindeer, angel, Nativity scene, bells, and candles are just a few examples of these symbols. These images, which each have their own significance and meaning, are frequently used in Christmas decorations and customs.
The only US president to forbid Christmas trees in the White House was Franklin Pierce, to sum up. His ban, nevertheless, had no effect on the custom of Christmas tree decorating, which is still widely practiced in both America and other countries today. The 12 symbols of Christmas stand for the various facets of the holiday season, and Christmas lights, particularly multicolored lights and fairy lights, have become a fixture of Christmas tree decorations.
A string of lights is frequently referred to as Christmas lights or fairy lights.
A string light is a collection of tiny lights that are strung along walls or ceilings of a room or hung on Christmas trees for ornamental purposes.