Franklin D. Roosevelt planted thousands of trees on his land annually in the 1930s, including Christmas trees

During his time in office, Franklin D. Roosevelt had many Christmas traditions that he took part in with his family and White House staff. Born in 1882 in Hyde Park, New York, Roosevelt considered this place his home throughout his life. His political career began in 1910 when he was elected to the New York Senate, and by 1912, he was serving as the chairman of the Forestry Committee of the New York Senate.

One of Roosevelt’s enduring traditions was planting trees on his land in Hyde Park. This practice began in the 1910s and continued for 34 years, with thousands of trees being planted annually on his estate. By the 1930s, Roosevelt was planting anywhere from 20,000 to 55,000 trees each year. Additionally, during this time, he started growing Christmas trees on his estate, with some even being sent to Winston Churchill.

Roosevelt’s holiday spirit extended to the White House during his presidency, where he spent 12 years, the longest term of any U.S. president. He spent 10 consecutive Christmases in the White House, celebrating with traditions such as a Christmas Eve party for White House staff and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. On Christmas morning, the president would attend services with his family and open presents with his grandchildren. The annual Christmas feast included a variety of dishes, from roasted turkey to plum pudding.

Despite the challenges of his time in office, including the Great Depression and World War II, Roosevelt’s Christmas traditions remained a constant. During World War II, with four of his sons serving in the armed forces, his family was scattered around the globe, leading to a shift in holiday celebrations. Gifts given out to White House employees during this time reflected the wartime circumstances, such as war savings bonds and scrolls with the president’s “D-Day” prayer.

Roosevelt’s last Christmas message was delivered from his home in Hyde Park in 1944, where he expressed hope for a new day of peace on earth. His legacy of holiday traditions and messages of unity continue to inspire to this day.