Laura Bush Christmas: 14 White House Holiday Ideas You Can Copy at Home for Less

Laura Bush Christmas decorating had a quiet kind of magic that still makes people smile. As First Lady from 2001 to 2009, the former teacher and librarian gave every White House holiday its own theme, from hand-painted musical instruments to tiny ornaments for the national parks. Her little Scottish terrier, Barney, even starred in his own Christmas videos. The best part? Almost every idea started with simple materials and patient hands, which means you can borrow the look for your own living room without a White House budget. Grab some paint, a bit of felt, a few old postcards and a cozy evening, and let these 14 ideas turn your tree, mantel and windows into something your family will talk about all season..

Laura Bush Christmas Tree With Hand-Painted Instrument Ornaments

The 2004 Laura Bush Christmas tree in the Blue Room had a sweet theme, A Season of Merriment and Melody, and it was covered in small musical instruments hand-painted by members of the Society of Decorative Painters, according to the White House Christmas tree history. You can copy it with plain wooden craft instruments from any hobby shop. Paint them in soft cream, gold and pine green, then add tiny holly leaves and dots. Which instrument would you paint first..

You will need: Unfinished wooden mini instruments (violins, drums, trumpets), acrylic paints, fine detail brushes, gold paint pen, clear sealer, thin gold cord.

How to make it: 1. Base coat each instrument in cream or soft green and let it dry. 2. Paint tiny holly leaves, berries and dots with a fine brush. 3. Outline the edges with a gold paint pen. 4. Seal, add a gold cord loop and hang near the lights.

National Park Postcard Ornaments

In 2007 the Blue Room tree was called Holiday in the National Parks, and each ornament stood for one of the 391 National Park Service sites. If you love this kind of history, our White House holiday traditions gallery shows how other First Ladies decorated too. That idea works beautifully at home with old travel postcards or printed photos from your own road trips. Glue each picture to a wooden disc, trim the edges and add twine. Suddenly your tree tells the story of every place your family has loved. Which park would hang front and center on yours?

You will need: Wooden slice discs, old postcards or printed trip photos, decoupage glue, small brush, craft knife (adult use), gold paint pen, jute twine.

How to make it: 1. Trace the disc onto the postcard and cut it out. 2. Brush glue on the disc, press the picture down and smooth it. 3. Add a thin top coat of glue to seal. 4. Edge it in gold, drill or screw in a small eye and tie on twine.

Laura Bush Christmas Scottie Dog Ornaments for Barney

No Laura Bush Christmas memory is complete without Barney, the family’s Scottish terrier, who starred in the White House Barney Cam holiday videos. A black felt Scottie is one of the easiest ornaments you can sew in an evening, even by hand. Give each pup a tiny plaid scarf and a red bow and make one for every dog lover on your list. They also make lovely gift toppers. Do you have a four-legged star at home who deserves an ornament of their own?

You will need: Black felt, red plaid ribbon, white embroidery thread, needle, a little stuffing, printed Scottie dog outline, red mini bows.

How to make it: 1. Print a simple Scottie outline and cut two felt pieces. 2. Blanket stitch around the edge with white thread, leaving a small gap. 3. Add a little stuffing and close the gap. 4. Tie a plaid scarf around the neck and sew on a loop.

Storybook Library Christmas Tree

The 2003 White House theme was A Season of Stories, a perfect fit for a First Lady who once worked as a school librarian. Bring that spirit into a reading corner with a tree dressed in tiny book ornaments, paper stars folded from old book pages and rolled paper scrolls. It costs almost nothing if you use damaged books from a thrift store. Put a soft blanket and a stack of favorite stories nearby and you have the coziest spot in the house. What book would you wrap first?

You will need: Small wooden blocks or matchboxes, scrap fabric or paper for covers, old damaged book pages, glue stick, ribbon, string lights.

How to make it: 1. Wrap small blocks in paper or fabric to make mini books and add ribbon loops. 2. Fold book pages into simple five point stars. 3. Roll a few pages into scrolls and tie with string. 4. Hang the books and scrolls and drape the stars as a garland.

White Lily and Crystal Tree

The 2005 theme, All Things Bright and Beautiful, filled the Blue Room tree with white lilies, crystal spheres and light catching garland. An all white Laura Bush Christmas tree looks expensive, yet it can come together with dollar store balls and faux lilies from a craft shop. Mix matte, frosted and clear finishes so it never looks flat, then tuck the lilies deep into the branches. Clear beads and a few mirrors catch the lights all evening. Would you go all white this year or add one soft color?

You will need: White and clear shatterproof balls, faux white lilies, clear bead garland, floral wire, wire cutters, warm white lights.

How to make it: 1. Light the tree first with warm white lights. 2. Hang the larger white balls deep inside, smaller clear ones near the tips. 3. Wire the faux lilies into the branches in a loose spiral. 4. Drape the bead garland last so it catches the light.

Iridescent Glass Bead Garland

For 2006 the tree sparkled with crystals and ornaments of iridescent glass. You can catch that same rainbow glow with a simple handmade garland of pearly beads and mini glass balls strung on silver ribbon. It takes one evening and a movie, and it looks lovely on a flocked tree or across a mirror. Buy beads in bulk bags to keep the cost low. Even a short garland on a bookshelf adds a little shimmer. Where would you drape yours?

You will need: Iridescent mini ornaments, large crystal or pearl beads, silver ribbon or fishing line, scissors, a large needle.

How to make it: 1. Cut a long length of ribbon or line. 2. String three beads, then one mini ornament, and repeat. 3. Knot a bead at each end to stop slipping. 4. Drape loosely in swoops across the tree from top to bottom.

Laura Bush Christmas Red, White and Blue Tree

The final Laura Bush Christmas in 2008 was called A Red, White, and Blue Christmas, with patriotic ornaments made by artists from around the country. A red, white and navy tree looks crisp and classic, and it suits farmhouse and cottage rooms alike. Sew simple fabric stars from old shirts and mix them with glass balls and striped ribbon. Keep the colors strict and the look stays polished. Would this be your main tree or a cheerful second tree for the porch?

You will need: Red, white and navy glass or shatterproof balls, red and white striped ribbon, scrap cotton fabric, stuffing, needle and thread, small wooden stars.

How to make it: 1. Cut two star shapes from fabric for each ornament and stitch around the edge. 2. Stuff lightly and close. 3. Weave striped ribbon down the tree in loose loops. 4. Fill in with balls, then fabric stars, keeping each color spread evenly.

Painted Native Bird Ornaments

In 2002 the theme All Creatures Great and Small asked an artist from each state to design an ornament based on a native bird. Try a family version: everyone paints the bird from their own home state or favorite backyard visitor on a wooden or clay ornament. Cardinals, bluebirds and chickadees are easy for beginners. It turns into a fun evening at the kitchen table and a set of keepsakes you will unpack for years. Which bird visits your feeder most in winter?

You will need: Wooden or air dry clay bird shapes, acrylic paints, small brushes, black paint pen for eyes, clear sealer, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Look up a simple picture of your chosen bird. 2. Base coat the body color and let it dry. 3. Add wings, beak and chest colors, then a dot eye. 4. Seal, add a ribbon loop and clip it to a branch.

Hometown House Ornaments

The very first tree of her years, in 2001, was called Home for the Holidays, and artists from each state made miniature replicas of historic houses. Make your own little village of homes that matter to your family: the house you grew up in, grandma’s farmhouse, your first apartment. Paint small wooden house blanks or cut them from card stock and add tiny windows. Line them on a shelf or hang them on the tree. Which house would you make first?

You will need: Small wooden house blanks or heavy card stock, acrylic paints, fine brushes, white paint pen, glue, ribbon or a shelf to display.

How to make it: 1. Pick a photo of the house you want to copy. 2. Paint the main walls and roof color. 3. Add doors, windows and trim with a fine brush and paint pen. 4. Add a ribbon loop or stand them in a row on a mantel.

Laura Bush Christmas Gingerbread House of Your Own Home

White House pastry chefs have built a gingerbread house every holiday season for decades, and it was always one of the most photographed parts of a Laura Bush Christmas. Instead of a fairy tale cottage, try making a gingerbread copy of your own home. Kits work fine; just add a front door color, wreath and porch that match your real house. Kids love spotting their own window. It makes a sweet centerpiece and a great photo for the family album. Who in your house is the best decorator?

You will need: A gingerbread house kit or graham crackers, royal icing, piping bag, candies, green sprinkles, food coloring, a cake board.

How to make it: 1. Build the walls and roof with icing and let them set for an hour. 2. Pipe windows and doors to match your home. 3. Add a candy wreath and painted front door color. 4. Finish with icing snow and tiny candy shrubs.

Mini Wreaths on Every Window

Rows of wreaths with red bows in every window are one of the most famous White House holiday looks, and they make any house look grand from the street. Small wreaths are cheap if you make them yourself from wire rings and trimmed branches. Hang them inside the glass with clear suction hooks and ribbon so they stay fresh and safe from wind. Matching bows tie the whole front together. How many windows would you dress this year?

You will need: Small wire wreath rings, fresh or faux greenery, floral wire, red velvet ribbon, clear suction hooks, battery fairy lights (optional).

How to make it: 1. Wire small bundles of greenery around each ring. 2. Tie a full red bow at the bottom. 3. Add a tiny battery light strand if you like. 4. Hang each wreath at the same height in every front window.

Patriotic Mantel Garland

Carry the red, white and blue idea over to the mantel for a look that feels proud and cozy at the same time. Start with a full pine garland, weave red and white ribbon through it, then tuck in navy fabric stars and painted wooden stars. Battery fairy lights give a soft glow without any worry. It also works for a winter long display if you skip the Christmas extras. Would you keep it simple or add a row of stockings below?

You will need: Faux or fresh pine garland, red and white striped ribbon, navy fabric stars, small wooden stars, white paint, battery fairy lights, command hooks.

How to make it: 1. Hang the garland on hooks along the mantel edge. 2. Weave ribbon through it in loose loops. 3. Paint the wooden stars white with red tips and tuck them in. 4. Add fabric stars and wrap the battery lights through last.

Laura Bush Christmas Heirloom Ornament Shadow Box

The 2003 Laura Bush Christmas tree reused ornaments first hung by Barbara Bush in 1989, a lovely reminder that family decorations deserve a second life. Gather the fragile ornaments you are afraid to hang, like grandma’s glass balls or a baby’s first ornament, and display them in a deep shadow box. Add a small handwritten card with the year and who it belonged to. It becomes a little holiday museum on the wall. Which ornament in your box has the best story?

You will need: A deep shadow box frame, linen or felt backing, small cup hooks or clear glue dots, vintage ornaments, card stock, fine pen.

How to make it: 1. Cover the backing with linen or felt. 2. Lay out the ornaments before fixing anything. 3. Hang them on tiny hooks or secure with glue dots. 4. Add a handwritten label with names and years and close the frame.

Hand-Painted Gift Boxes

Borrow the decorative painting skills from the Laura Bush Christmas instrument tree and use them on your gift wrap. Plain kraft or white boxes turn into keepsakes with a few holly sprigs, snowflakes and little evergreen trees painted by hand. People often keep these boxes for years and reuse them every December. It is a calm, happy project for an evening with music on, and it makes even a small gift feel special. Who on your list would love a box they can keep?

You will need: Plain white or kraft gift boxes, acrylic paints in blue, red, green and cream, small brushes, white paint pen, satin ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the lid a soft solid color and let it dry. 2. Add simple holly, snowflakes or trees with a small brush. 3. Dot details with a white paint pen. 4. Tie with satin ribbon and add a handwritten tag.