On Christmas morning, the grandchildren typically went to wake their grandfather, who then sent them to rouse the other guests. As the Roosevelt family grew during the 1930s, the grandchildren became more rambunctious in the early morning hours, so much so that Eleanor instructed them to wake her first so the president could sleep a little longer.⁸ Once the president was up, the family crowded into his bedchamber to take down their stockings. In 1940, even Fala had his own stocking containing a rubber bone and an assortment of dog toys. However, according to one newspaper account the dog was far more interested in “a 6-inch mechanical Scotty that came out of the President’s sock.”⁹

After breakfast, the family departed the White House for Christmas Day services. During their time in Washington, the Roosevelts often attended St. Thomas’ Church or the Church of the Covenant, but they also visited Foundry Methodist Church, First Congregational Church, and Calvary First Presbyterian Church.¹⁰ In the afternoon, the Roosevelt family assembled to exchange presents and open some of the many gifts sent to the president from across the country and around the world. In 1934, some 6,000 presents arrived at the White House before Christmas. According to one report, there were “nine turkeys so far; ducks, pheasants and quail beyond number; crates of oranges and grapefruit; and the cakes are coming in by the dozen.” The highlights were a “big buck deer” given by the Woodmont Rod and Gun Club and a 150-pound fruitcake.¹¹ The following year, the club gave the president a wild turkey that was later served in the State Dining Room.¹² The annual Christmas dinner featured a number of family favorites such as roasted turkey, chestnut dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pineapple salad, and calf’s head soup. For dessert, the Roosevelts often feasted on plum pudding, eggnog, ice cream, and a variety of delicious cakes.¹³

Most of the perishable gifts and presents sent to the Roosevelts were donated to local charities. Within this spirit of giving, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt participated in a number of worthy causes during the Christmas season. Beginning in 1936, she visited African-American and working-class neighborhoods to attend their respective tree lightings, where she would often speak and disperse gifts to the city’s poorer residents.¹⁴ She also worked with organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Central Union Mission, and the Kiwanis Club of Arlington. On Christmas Eve 1940, she stopped off at the Central Union Mission’s Christmas party to help distribute presents and food bags to over 1,500 children. After the tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse, Eleanor traveled to Green’s Court, “an inhabited alley” to deliver Christmas cheer. Her seasonal hospitality extended to the White House as well. As the honorary president of the Girl Scouts of America, Eleanor invited 50 lucky scouts in 1936 to sing Christmas carols in the East Room.¹⁵

These Christmas traditions were transformed in December 1941. After the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, national defense and public safety became major priorities for the federal government. Some even advocated cancelling the National Christmas Tree lighting that year, fearing that America’s enemies might attack the 40,000 expected attendees. “War and blackouts notwithstanding, plans are going forward for the public to be admitted to the White House south grounds Christmas Eve for the lighting by President Roosevelt of the National Community Christmas Tree,” wrote one correspondent.¹⁶ Additional security precautions were taken as President Roosevelt, joined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, illuminated the Christmas tree from the South Portico. In his address, Roosevelt acknowledged that some considered it inappropriate to light trees and give gifts this season under the circumstances. However, he reasoned that the “dignity and brotherhood of man which Christmas Day signifies-more than any other day or any other symbol” would serve as the country’s greatest weapon against “enemies who preach the principles of hate and practice them.”¹⁷ While Roosevelt would continue to participate in the National Christmas Tree lighting from the confines of the White House and later from his Hyde Park residence, the brightly colored bulbs for the tree were replaced by highly decorated ornaments produced by local schoolchildren in an effort to promote wartime conservation.¹⁸

The Roosevelts tried to maintain their customary Christmas activities and traditions but World War II made that exceedingly difficult. The four Roosevelt sons—James, Elliott, Franklin Jr., and John—were all on active duty in different branches of the Armed Forces. Daughter Anna Roosevelt Boettiger lived across the country in Seattle, Washington. 1941 was the first time that the Roosevelts celebrated Christmas without their children and grandchildren.¹⁹ Over the next few years, the war scattered the Roosevelt boys across the globe, making it impossible for the entire family to celebrate the holiday together.

During his last two Christmases away from the White House, President Roosevelt cherished those who could make it while maintaining focus on the war effort. On Christmas Eve 1943, he delivered one of his famous Fireside Chats from Hyde Park. “We may look forward into the future with real, substantial confidence that, however great the cost, ‘peace on earth, good will toward men’ can be and will be realized and insured,” he remarked.²⁰ As the family gathered afterwards to exchange presents in the family library, they were surprised to see unwrapped gifts scattered beneath the tree. The president had requested this in order “to save paper.”²¹ The Roosevelts continued to host their annual party for the White House staff and Executive Office employees, but their gifts also reflected the impact of the war. In 1942, each employee received a black leather folder filled with war savings bonds. In 1944, the president gave each staff member a scroll with his “D-Day Prayer.”²² The paper was engraved with black, gold, red and blue letters, and signed “Christmas, 1944—from FDR.”²³

In 1944, some 15,000 Americans gathered near the South Lawn to see the National Christmas Tree and listen to what would be President Roosevelt’s last Christmas message. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited wounded servicemen from Walter Reed General Hospital and their families to enjoy the ceremonies from the comfort of the South Portico. The tree was “speckled with hundreds of brilliant ornaments contributed by the children of Washington,” wrote one reporter. The United States Marine Band provided lively seasonal music while the jubilant crowds sang along.²⁴ Nearly 300 miles away in his study at Hyde Park, President Roosevelt delivered his address to the nation and the world: “We pray that with victory will come a new day of peace on earth in which all the Nations of the earth will join together for all time. That is the spirit of Christmas, the holy day. May that spirit live and grow throughout the world in all the years to come.”²⁵