John Adams and the First White House Christmas
President John Adams and his wife Abigail were the first President and First Lady to live in what would come to be known as the White House. (It was originally just called "the Presidential Mansion" until Theodore Roosevelt later gave it the name we know it by today). The first Adams family moved into the home in November of 1800. It was a cold, damp, and drafty place, located at the edge of a swamp, one that many believe was a spawning ground for cholera. The home had 13 fireplaces and in winter Adams had all of them lit in able to too warm.
It was here that Adams held the very first White House Christmas party. It was held in honor of his granddaughter, Susanna. Invitations were sent out for this party, at a time before White House Christmas cards were sent out. The party was planned by First Lady, Abigail Adams.
The party turned out very successfully. A small orchestra was brought in to play festive music in the grand ballroom, which was decorated with seasonal flora. After the dinner, cakes and punch were served while the staff and guests sang Christmas carols. Games were organized for the children. At the party, one of the young guests accidentally broke one of Susanna Adams’ new doll dishes. The president's young granddaughter became upset and she bit the nose off of one of her offending friend’s dolls. It is said that President Adams stepped in to intervene and make sure that the incident didn’t escalate.
The Adams family followed up their first Christmas in the White House with the first presidential levee on New Year’s Day. It was described as a "grand celebration" at which cookies, custards, and cakes were served. All of these were baked in the new hearths beside the enormous kitchen fireplace. The guests were also served puddings, pastries, trifles, and tarts. Abigail Adams followed court etiquette she had seen displayed by European royalty that she had seen while her husband was U. S. Minister to Britain. She greeted guests from a throne-like chair, while her husband stood beside her, wearing velvet breeches and lace with fashionably powdered hair. Unfortunately, this contributed to the perception of Adams that the opposition Republicans portrayed as being someone who was overly pompous and a Royalists at heart, rather than a man of the people.
Although that reception was a lavish affair, John and Abigail preferred more basic fare, and a few of their favorite foods, which can be traced to their New England roots, included "Green Turtle Soup, Indian Pudding, and Gooseberry Fool.”
It was here that Adams held the very first White House Christmas party. It was held in honor of his granddaughter, Susanna. Invitations were sent out for this party, at a time before White House Christmas cards were sent out. The party was planned by First Lady, Abigail Adams.
The party turned out very successfully. A small orchestra was brought in to play festive music in the grand ballroom, which was decorated with seasonal flora. After the dinner, cakes and punch were served while the staff and guests sang Christmas carols. Games were organized for the children. At the party, one of the young guests accidentally broke one of Susanna Adams’ new doll dishes. The president's young granddaughter became upset and she bit the nose off of one of her offending friend’s dolls. It is said that President Adams stepped in to intervene and make sure that the incident didn’t escalate.
The Adams family followed up their first Christmas in the White House with the first presidential levee on New Year’s Day. It was described as a "grand celebration" at which cookies, custards, and cakes were served. All of these were baked in the new hearths beside the enormous kitchen fireplace. The guests were also served puddings, pastries, trifles, and tarts. Abigail Adams followed court etiquette she had seen displayed by European royalty that she had seen while her husband was U. S. Minister to Britain. She greeted guests from a throne-like chair, while her husband stood beside her, wearing velvet breeches and lace with fashionably powdered hair. Unfortunately, this contributed to the perception of Adams that the opposition Republicans portrayed as being someone who was overly pompous and a Royalists at heart, rather than a man of the people.
Although that reception was a lavish affair, John and Abigail preferred more basic fare, and a few of their favorite foods, which can be traced to their New England roots, included "Green Turtle Soup, Indian Pudding, and Gooseberry Fool.”