Jackie Kennedy Christmas: 15 Elegant Nutcracker Ideas That Copy Her Famous 1961 White House Tree
Jackie Kennedy Christmas style began with one idea that changed the White House forever. In 1961, the new First Lady chose a theme for the official tree, and she picked the Nutcracker ballet. Every first lady since has followed her lead with a theme of her own. What makes her tree so lovable is that it was not about costly glitter. It was filled with toys, little wrapped packages and handmade ornaments, the kind of things you and I can make at the kitchen table. Below you will find 15 elegant ideas inspired by that famous tree, from paper ballerinas and tiny drums to a soft tulle tree skirt that looks like a tutu. Put on some holiday music, gather your craft basket and let us make your home feel a little like the Blue Room..
Jackie Kennedy Christmas Began With a Nutcracker Tree
Jacqueline Kennedy served as First Lady from 1961 to 1963, and she cared deeply about arts and culture. That love showed up at Christmas. In 1961 she decorated the official tree with a Nutcracker Suite theme, taken from the famous Tchaikovsky ballet, and she started a tradition that every first lady has kept since. You can read more about the tree’s history on Wikipedia. The good news is that her look is easy to copy with simple crafts, a few yards of ribbon and a little patience. Ready to bring a bit of that White House magic into your living room? Let us begin..
You will need: A real or faux tree, warm white lights, red and gold velvet ribbon, and the handmade ornaments from the ideas below.
How to make it: 1. Start with lights, tucking them deep into the branches. 2. Add ribbon bows in red and gold all over the tree. 3. Fill the gaps with ballerinas, soldiers, birds and tiny packages, larger pieces low and small pieces high.
The Real Blue Room Tree That Started It All
Here is the real thing. The President and the First Lady stand beside the Blue Room tree, dressed in the Nutcracker theme. According to the photo’s archive notes, the ornaments included gingerbread cookies, tiny toys, wrapped packages, candy canes and straw ornaments made by senior citizens and craftspeople with disabilities across the United States. That detail is the heart of this look. It was a tree of handmade things, made by everyday people, and that is exactly why it still feels warm today. Which of those ornaments would you like to make first?
You will need: Wheat straw or raffia, red thread, scissors, a gingerbread cookie recipe or salt dough, and a few candy canes.
How to make it: 1. Soak straw in warm water for 20 minutes so it bends without cracking. 2. Tie bundles into simple stars with red thread. 3. Bake or dry cookie shapes, add a ribbon loop and hang them beside the straw stars and candy canes.
Paper Ballerina Ornaments With Tulle Tutus
Nothing says Nutcracker like a ballerina in mid twirl. These are cut from plain white cardstock, and the fluffy skirt is just a strip of tulle gathered around the waist. Hung on gold thread, they seem to dance every time someone walks past the tree. Make a whole troupe in one evening and let the kids help with the tulle. How many dancers will your tree hold?
You will need: White cardstock, a ballerina template, craft knife or small scissors, white and pale pink tulle, glue dots, and gold thread.
How to make it: 1. Trace and cut the ballerina shape from cardstock (an adult handles the craft knife). 2. Gather a 10 inch strip of tulle and glue it around the waist. 3. Punch a tiny hole at the top and add a gold thread loop.
Mini Toy Drum Ornaments From Wooden Spools
Toy drums were a classic part of the toy shop look on the Nutcracker tree, and these little ones start as old wooden thread spools. A coat of red, white and blue paint and a gold zigzag cord turns them into the kind of drum a toy soldier would carry. Two toothpicks with tiny bead tips make the drumsticks. Do you have a sewing box full of empty spools waiting for a new job?
You will need: Empty wooden thread spools, acrylic paint in red, white and blue, gold cord, toothpicks, small wooden beads, and craft glue.
How to make it: 1. Paint the middle of each spool white and the rims red or blue. 2. Glue gold cord in a zigzag around the middle. 3. Glue beads onto toothpicks for drumsticks, cross them on top and add a hanging loop.
Sugar Plum Fairy Garland in Pastel Felt
The Sugar Plum Fairy is the sweetest part of the ballet, so give her a garland on your Jackie Kennedy Christmas tree. Soft felt balls in pink, lavender and mint mixed with frosted beads look like sugared candy draped across the branches. It adds a gentle touch of color to a red and gold tree, and it is quiet, safe and lovely for homes with pets. Would you string yours in pastel or go bold with deep plum?
You will need: About 40 felt balls in pastel colors, frosted round beads, a large needle, and strong gold thread or fishing line.
How to make it: 1. Thread the needle with a 6 foot length of gold thread. 2. Push it through the center of each felt ball, adding two beads between balls. 3. Knot both ends with a small loop and drape the garland in swoops.
Jackie Kennedy Christmas Felt Bird Ornaments
Birds are a sweet and timeless choice for a Jackie Kennedy Christmas tree, and they are surprisingly easy to sew. Two felt bird shapes, a little stuffing and a few blanket stitches are all it takes. A real feather tucked in the tail makes them look like they just landed. Clip them onto the branches instead of hanging them so they sit upright like real birds. Which colors would match your tree?
You will need: Felt in red, cream and gold, embroidery floss, a needle, a bit of stuffing, small craft feathers, and mini clips or clothespins.
How to make it: 1. Cut two bird shapes and one wing per side. 2. Stitch around the edges, stuffing lightly before you close it. 3. Glue a feather at the tail and a small clip under the belly.
Paper Doily Angel Ornaments
These angels cost almost nothing. A folded paper doily becomes a lacy skirt, a wooden bead becomes the head and a scrap of gold cardstock becomes the wings. Hang a few near the top of the tree where the lights shine through the lace. They are a gentle, old fashioned craft that grandparents and grandkids can make together at the table. Who would you make one for this year?
You will need: Round white paper doilies, wooden beads about 3/4 inch, gold cardstock, glue, and gold thread.
How to make it: 1. Fold a doily like a fan, then pinch the top together into a cone. 2. Glue a wooden bead on top for the head. 3. Cut wings from gold cardstock, glue them on the back and add a thread loop.
Jackie Kennedy Christmas Tiny Wrapped Package Ornaments
Little wrapped packages were among the ornaments on the famous tree, and they are perfect for a Jackie Kennedy Christmas look at home. Small boxes from matches, jewelry or tea bags become tiny presents with a scrap of wrapping paper and thin velvet ribbon. Make them in red, gold and cream so they match the bows. Want a sweet surprise? Tuck a tiny note inside each one for the family to open on Christmas morning.
You will need: Small empty boxes, leftover wrapping paper in red, gold and cream, tape, thin velvet ribbon, and gold thread.
How to make it: 1. Wrap each box neatly like a full size gift. 2. Tie thin ribbon around it with a small bow on top. 3. Slip a gold thread loop under the ribbon to hang it.
Tulle Tutu Tree Skirt
Finish the base of the tree like a ballerina’s tutu. Strips of white and blush tulle tied onto a ring of ribbon puff out into a soft, cloud like skirt. There is no sewing at all, just a lot of knots, and it looks amazing with gifts wrapped in white and gold. If you want more ideas for this theme, see our Nutcracker Christmas decor gallery. Would you go pure white or add a blush of pink?
You will need: About 6 rolls of tulle in white and blush pink, a long piece of wide ribbon or elastic, and scissors.
How to make it: 1. Cut tulle into strips about 24 inches long. 2. Fold each strip in half and tie it onto the ribbon with a slip knot. 3. Pack the strips tightly, then wrap the ribbon around the tree base and tie it.
Jackie Kennedy Christmas Gilded Pine Cones
A walk in the yard can fill a whole bowl for a Jackie Kennedy Christmas table. Brush just the tips of each pine cone with gold paint so they look touched by frost and candlelight without any real flame. Tie a few with red velvet ribbon to hang on the tree and pile the rest in a bowl. This is one of the cheapest ways to add elegance to a room. How many cones are waiting in your yard?
You will need: Clean, dry pine cones, gold acrylic paint or gold leaf, a small brush, red velvet ribbon, and a bowl or tray.
How to make it: 1. Bake cleaned pine cones at a low heat with adult help, or let them dry for a few days. 2. Dry brush gold paint onto the tips. 3. Tie ribbon loops on some and display the rest in a bowl.
Paper Snow Village Under the Tree
In the ballet, Clara travels through a snowy land, so set up a little snow village of your own under the branches. White paper houses with cut out windows glow softly when you slip a battery tea light inside. Fluffy batting makes the snow and tiny bottle brush trees complete the scene. Kids love rearranging it every morning. What would you name your little village?
You will need: White cardstock, a small house template, a craft knife, glue, battery LED tea lights, white batting, and bottle brush trees.
How to make it: 1. Cut and fold the houses, with an adult cutting the windows. 2. Glue the seams and let them dry. 3. Spread batting under the tree, arrange the houses and place a battery light inside each one.
Jackie Kennedy Christmas Velvet Bows and Gold Streamers
Velvet bows give a Jackie Kennedy Christmas tree its rich, classic feel. Tie big bows from wired red velvet and let long gold streamers fall from the top of the tree like ribbons on a ballet costume. Clear glass balls between them catch the lights and keep the look clean and elegant. Wired ribbon is the secret, because you can shape it so the bows never droop. Have you tried tying a bow with long tails before?
You will need: Wired red velvet ribbon 2.5 inches wide, wired gold ribbon, floral wire, and clear glass or plastic ball ornaments.
How to make it: 1. Make loops of velvet ribbon and pinch the center with floral wire. 2. Twist the wire onto a branch and fluff the loops. 3. Tuck one end of the gold ribbon at the top and let it cascade down in loose curls.
Satin Ballet Slipper Ornaments
A pair of tiny pointe shoes hanging on the branches is a lovely Jackie Kennedy Christmas nod to the ballet. These are cut from felt, covered in pale pink satin and finished with long ribbon ties. They make a thoughtful gift for a little dancer or a grown up who still remembers her first recital. Who in your family would love a pair?
You will need: Pale pink felt, pale pink satin fabric, satin ribbon, fabric glue, a slipper template, and gold thread.
How to make it: 1. Cut two slipper shapes from felt and cover them with satin. 2. Glue the edges and let them dry. 3. Glue ribbon ties at the heel, tie the pair together and add a hanging loop.
Land of Snow Paper Snowflakes
The Land of Snow scene is one of the most magical moments in the ballet. Bring it to your windows with big paper snowflakes. Fold, snip and open, and every one comes out different. Hang them on clear thread at different heights so they look like they are falling. It is a cozy craft for a snowy afternoon, and it costs only a few sheets of paper. Can you remember the last time you cut a snowflake?
You will need: White printer or tissue paper, sharp scissors, clear fishing line, and removable tape.
How to make it: 1. Fold a square of paper in half three times to make a thin wedge. 2. Snip small shapes along both edges. 3. Unfold gently, press flat under a book and hang with clear thread.
Jackie Kennedy Christmas Glass Ball Finish
Every Jackie Kennedy Christmas tree needs a calm, timeless base. Clear and silver glass balls tucked deep into the branches reflect the lights and let your handmade ornaments stand out. Fill a few clear balls with snippets of tulle, gold thread or tiny pine sprigs to tie them into the theme. For more first lady inspired ideas, see our Laura Bush Christmas gallery. Which handmade idea from this list will you try first?
You will need: Clear and silver ball ornaments, a few fillable clear balls, tulle scraps, gold thread, and small pine sprigs.
How to make it: 1. Hang the plain glass balls deep inside the tree first. 2. Fill a few clear balls with tulle or thread and close the caps. 3. Hang the filled balls near the front so guests notice them.
