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Season's Greetings from the White House
Book on Presidential Christmas Cards
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 10, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 5, 2022
Review originally published December 2006
All through the year I get many catalogs in the mail, but this time of year in particular my mailbox is full of all kinds of enticements to order everything from sporting goods to toys and clothing. One of the most attractive catalogs that came recently was called Frontgate, and their cover says they "outfit America’s finest homes."
As I looked from page to page, I noticed all the unique items and then came to a beautiful two-page spread of all things to do with the White House, along with a picture of a lady I knew. Well, I don’t actually know her, but I know who she is because we have a book of hers in our library.
Season’s Greetings from the White House by Mary Evans Seeley is the book, and hers was the smiling face I saw on the pages of the catalog. The book was donated a few years ago by the author, who is originally from West Salem, and still has family members who live in the area. We love it that Mrs. Seeley signed the book for us!
The Frontgate catalog is selling the 5th edition of this book of behind-the-scenes stories of First Family holidays in the White House, along with other complimentary collectibles.
Mrs. Seeley credits her avid collector husband, Ron, for pushing her into writing this book. He bought a portrait of George Washington, a gift from President and Mrs. Nixon to a White House employee, which eventually found its way into a political memorabilia shop. He was so excited about his find that it was contagious, and she began learning everything she could about presidential Christmas cards and gift prints.
Along the way, they have acquired a Christmas gift book signed by William McKinley in 1900, and a Christmas creche card signed by President and Mrs. Kennedy just days before his assassination.
Their early collection gained them an invitation to the White House from its then curator, who also encouraged Mrs. Seeley to write a book. Concerned about accuracy, there were hundreds of conversations documented, and research compiled over nearly four years, with the help of Hallmark and American Greetings Companies.
For the human interest stories, she interviewed the artists and photographers whose work has adorned Presidential Christmas cards and gift prints. For firsthand historical information, she went straight to the source whenever possible and collected personal anecdotes and memories from First Family members to make this a book that your whole family can enjoy.
You will read about the first national Christmas tree that came about while Calvin Coolidge was in office; the controversy that FDR caused when he insisted on lighting wax candles on the tree in the family’s living quarters; and the paintings Dwight Eisenhower did for his Christmas cards and gift prints even though he’d had no instruction.
It was interesting to know how Jackie Kennedy felt when she took her kids on a sleigh ride on the South Lawn and forbid photographers to take pictures of them but, when they did anyway, she ended up using the pictures for their Christmas cards.
How Betty Ford decided to emphasize thrift and simplicity by using an old-fashioned handmade theme when her husband took office after Richard Nixon resigned with little time to prepare. Nancy Reagan remembers, “Christmas at the White House was truly magical.”
Mary Evans Seeley’s collection of Presidential memorabilia has long been displayed at seven presidential libraries. Along with Season’s Greetings from the White House, Frontgate catalog is selling several tree ornaments, including a north and south portico ornament and a White House ornament.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
All through the year I get many catalogs in the mail, but this time of year in particular my mailbox is full of all kinds of enticements to order everything from sporting goods to toys and clothing. One of the most attractive catalogs that came recently was called Frontgate, and their cover says they "outfit America’s finest homes."
As I looked from page to page, I noticed all the unique items and then came to a beautiful two-page spread of all things to do with the White House, along with a picture of a lady I knew. Well, I don’t actually know her, but I know who she is because we have a book of hers in our library.
Season’s Greetings from the White House by Mary Evans Seeley is the book, and hers was the smiling face I saw on the pages of the catalog. The book was donated a few years ago by the author, who is originally from West Salem, and still has family members who live in the area. We love it that Mrs. Seeley signed the book for us!
The Frontgate catalog is selling the 5th edition of this book of behind-the-scenes stories of First Family holidays in the White House, along with other complimentary collectibles.
Mrs. Seeley credits her avid collector husband, Ron, for pushing her into writing this book. He bought a portrait of George Washington, a gift from President and Mrs. Nixon to a White House employee, which eventually found its way into a political memorabilia shop. He was so excited about his find that it was contagious, and she began learning everything she could about presidential Christmas cards and gift prints.
Along the way, they have acquired a Christmas gift book signed by William McKinley in 1900, and a Christmas creche card signed by President and Mrs. Kennedy just days before his assassination.
Their early collection gained them an invitation to the White House from its then curator, who also encouraged Mrs. Seeley to write a book. Concerned about accuracy, there were hundreds of conversations documented, and research compiled over nearly four years, with the help of Hallmark and American Greetings Companies.
For the human interest stories, she interviewed the artists and photographers whose work has adorned Presidential Christmas cards and gift prints. For firsthand historical information, she went straight to the source whenever possible and collected personal anecdotes and memories from First Family members to make this a book that your whole family can enjoy.
You will read about the first national Christmas tree that came about while Calvin Coolidge was in office; the controversy that FDR caused when he insisted on lighting wax candles on the tree in the family’s living quarters; and the paintings Dwight Eisenhower did for his Christmas cards and gift prints even though he’d had no instruction.
It was interesting to know how Jackie Kennedy felt when she took her kids on a sleigh ride on the South Lawn and forbid photographers to take pictures of them but, when they did anyway, she ended up using the pictures for their Christmas cards.
How Betty Ford decided to emphasize thrift and simplicity by using an old-fashioned handmade theme when her husband took office after Richard Nixon resigned with little time to prepare. Nancy Reagan remembers, “Christmas at the White House was truly magical.”
Mary Evans Seeley’s collection of Presidential memorabilia has long been displayed at seven presidential libraries. Along with Season’s Greetings from the White House, Frontgate catalog is selling several tree ornaments, including a north and south portico ornament and a White House ornament.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
February 3, 2024
Great bit of research, well written and interesting tidbits about Presidential gifts, Xmas cards, tales about (and includes speeches) from the lighting of the national tree. Interesting weave of historical events into the narrative which gives some perspective.
November 23, 2018
Read for research purposes. Not the most important history ever published, but I commend Ms. Seeley for her thorough research, attention to detail, and genuine patriotism. Her political views aren't exactly hidden, but since her tone ranges from respectful to Democrats and reverent toward Republicans, I'm merely making an observation, not a criticism.
December 9, 2009
enjoying so far. lots of interesting trivia and facts.
March 30, 2008
Beautiful pictures.
April 19, 2012
great read about christmas in the white house.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews