Pat Nixon Christmas: 17 Gold and Poinsettia Ideas From Her White House Holidays

Pat Nixon Christmas decorating was gold, red and wonderfully handmade, and almost every idea can be copied at home for very little money. During her White House years, the official tree wore gold paper fans, foil angels and gold bead garlands, poinsettias filled the rooms, and fresh wreaths hung in the windows facing the street. She even asked the pastry chef for the first White House gingerbread house in 1969. The Nixon Library holiday history shows how much of it was made by hand. This gallery turns those signature touches into 17 easy projects, from folded paper fans to gilded pinecones. Each slide lists what you will need and a few quick steps, so you can bring a little Pat Nixon Christmas sparkle into your own living room..

Pat Nixon Christmas Style Starts With Gold and Red

This Pat Nixon Christmas room shows the full look in one glance. A tall tree wears nothing but gold: bead garlands, shiny baubles and pleated paper fans. A deep ring of red poinsettias hides the stand, and fresh wreaths with red bows hang in each tall window. Cream walls and pale sofas let the gold and red do all the work. Start with the tree and the poinsettias, then add window wreaths if you have time. For more first lady ideas, see how Jackie Kennedy decorated..

You will need: A green tree, gold bead garland, gold bauble ornaments, six to eight potted poinsettias, two or three fresh wreaths and red wired ribbon.

How to make it: Dress the tree in gold garland first, then fill the gaps with gold baubles. Set the potted poinsettias in a tight ring around the stand. Hang a wreath with a red bow in each window that faces the street.

Hang a Wreath in Every Window

Wreaths hung in every window facing Pennsylvania Avenue made the White House look dressed for the season from the sidewalk. This cottage does the same thing on a smaller scale, with a fresh wreath and red bow at each shutter and swags along the porch rail. Matching wreaths look tidy, but they do not need to be expensive. Bundle grocery store greenery onto wire rings and add one simple bow to each. Want a different fill? These ornament wreath ideas show another way to cover a ring.

You will need: Wire wreath rings, bundles of fresh or faux greenery, green floral wire, red wired ribbon and over the door or suction hooks.

How to make it: Wire small bundles of greenery around each ring, all pointing the same way. Tie a matching red bow at the top of every wreath. Hang them at the same height in each front window.

Fold Gold Paper Fans Like the 1970 Pat Nixon Christmas Tree

In 1970 the official tree was trimmed with gold fans, and paper versions are among the easiest ornaments you can make. Pleat a length of metallic gold gift wrap like an accordion, pinch one end and tie it with thin gold ribbon so the top spreads open. A dozen take less than an hour and cost almost nothing. Hang some deep in the branches as well as on the tips so the tree looks gold all the way through. For more paper projects, try these printed paper ornaments.

You will need: Metallic gold gift wrap, a ruler, scissors, thin gold ribbon and a little craft glue.

How to make it: Cut pieces about 4 by 12 inches and fold them back and forth in half inch pleats. Pinch one end and tie it tightly with ribbon, leaving a loop. Spread the top into a half circle and glue the two inside edges together.

Mass Your Poinsettias Into One Big Block of Red

In 1972 the White House showed off poinsettia trees, built from potted plants stacked in tiers into a tall cone of red. It is a Pat Nixon Christmas favorite you can copy with supermarket plants. Crowd five to nine pots together on a stepped plant stand or on upturned crates hidden under a red cloth, tallest in the back. Massed together, the leaves read as one big block of color. Water from below and keep them away from cold drafts. Spare small pots suit these clay pot crafts.

You will need: Five to nine potted poinsettias, a stepped plant stand or sturdy crates, a red tablecloth and saucers for each pot.

How to make it: Stack the crates into steps and cover them with the cloth. Set the tallest plants at the top and back. Fill every gap so no pot rims show from the front.

Make Glittering Gold Flower Ornaments

The 1969 tree carried flower ornaments that honored the states, one of the details that made the decor feel personal. A gold glitter flower clipped onto a branch gives the same effect. Buy plain silk flowers at the dollar store, brush them with Mod Podge and dust them with fine gold glitter. Clip each one to the tree with a small hair clip hot glued to the back. Choose a bloom that means something to your family. This grandma style tree shows how sentimental ornaments mix in.

You will need: Silk flowers, Mod Podge Gloss, a soft brush, fine gold glitter, small hair clips and a hot glue gun.

How to make it: Pull the flower heads off the stems and brush on a thin coat of Mod Podge. Sprinkle glitter over the wet glue and let it dry, then add a second coat to seal. Hot glue a clip to the back of each flower.

Cut Gold Foil Angels for a Pat Nixon Christmas Tree

Gold foil angels trimmed the tree in 1971, and these folded versions are a weekend project the entire family can share. Pleat a rectangle of gold foil paper for the skirt and a smaller piece for the wings. Glue a gold wooden bead on top for the head and add a thread loop. They weigh almost nothing, so they can hang on the thinnest tips. Make a few extra to tie onto gifts. For more inspiration, see this Eleanor Roosevelt holiday gallery.

You will need: Gold foil craft paper, scissors, a ruler, gold wooden beads, gold thread and tacky glue.

How to make it: Pleat a 5 by 8 inch piece of foil for the skirt and pinch the top. Pleat a 2 by 6 inch piece, pinch the middle and glue it behind the skirt as wings. Glue the bead on top and thread a hanging loop through it.

Plant a Poinsettia in a Classic White Urn

One full poinsettia in a classic white urn instantly feels formal, like a plant set out in a grand hallway. This one mixes deep red with bright pink, which keeps it cheerful. Look for a plastic urn at a garden center, paint it with cream chalk paint, then seal it with Mod Podge. Slip the nursery pot inside so watering stays easy. Set one on each side of an inside doorway for a balanced welcome. Pair it with a festive bench display by the front door.

You will need: A plastic urn planter, cream chalk paint, Mod Podge Matte, a foam brush and a potted poinsettia.

How to make it: Paint the urn with two coats of chalk paint and let it dry. Brush on Mod Podge to seal the finish. Drop the nursery pot inside and tuck moss over the rim.

Gild a Bowl of Pinecones

Gold painted pinecones are a classic way to carry the gold theme across a room without buying new ornaments. Collect cones on a walk, bake them on low heat to dry them out, then spray them with metallic gold paint. A light coat lets a little brown show through, which looks richer than solid gold. Pile them in a glass bowl, line them along a mantel or scatter them around a tree base. They also fill apothecary jars beautifully.

You will need: Pinecones, a baking sheet lined with foil, metallic gold spray paint, a cardboard box and a glass bowl.

How to make it: Bake the cones at 200 F for about 30 minutes to dry them. Set them in the box outdoors and mist them with gold paint from 12 inches away. Let them dry fully before piling them into the bowl.

Swag Gold Bead Garland the Pat Nixon Christmas Way

The 1973 tree was dressed in gold beads and gold baubles, and it is the easiest Pat Nixon Christmas look to copy. Swag bead garland in loose scallops from branch to branch rather than wrapping it tight. Add gold baubles in two finishes, shiny and matte, and tie small gold ribbon bows into the gaps. Keep to one color and the tree looks expensive even with dollar store ornaments. For another regal idea, see this Queen Charlotte tree.

You will need: Gold bead garland, shiny and matte gold bauble ornaments, gold satin ribbon and ornament hooks.

How to make it: Start at the top and drape the garland in shallow scallops around the tree. Hang the baubles next, mixing the two finishes. Tie short ribbon bows and wire them into any empty spots.

Wrap Twine Cone Trees With Gold Stars

Mini cone trees wrapped in cream twine bring a soft, handmade note next to all that gold. Cover a paper cone with glue and wind twine from the bottom to the tip. Top each with a small gold star cut from glitter cardstock. Make them in two or three heights and group them on a mantel or a windowsill. They are calm enough to stay up all winter. Arrange them on a tiered tray for an easy vignette.

You will need: Paper or foam cones, cream cotton twine, Mod Podge Matte, a brush, gold glitter cardstock and scissors.

How to make it: Brush Mod Podge over the lower third of a cone and wind the twine tightly upward. Keep brushing and wrapping until you reach the tip. Glue on a gold star cut from the cardstock.

Wrap Presents in Gold Paper

Gold paper under the tree makes the gifts part of the Pat Nixon Christmas decor. Choose one embossed gold wrap and one plain, then finish each box with wide gold satin ribbon. Wrapping everything in the same color looks deliberate and calm, the way a formal holiday room should. Save the brightest gifts for the morning itself and keep the gold ones on display all season. Find more wrapping tricks in these gift packaging ideas.

You will need: Embossed and plain gold wrapping paper, wide gold satin ribbon, double sided tape and scissors.

How to make it: Wrap each box with crisp folds and double sided tape so no tape shows. Run the ribbon around both directions. Tie a full bow and trim the tails on an angle.

Try a Blue and Gold Pat Nixon Christmas Tree

The official White House tree traditionally stands in the oval Blue Room, and a blue and gold version is a lovely twist on the Pat Nixon Christmas palette. Use royal blue satin baubles, plain gold baubles and a wide gold ribbon wound in loose spirals. A white tree skirt keeps the colors crisp against pale walls. This is a smart choice if your room already has blue in it. For a shimmery alternative, try this iridescent decor.

You will need: Royal blue satin bauble ornaments, gold baubles, wide gold wired ribbon and a white tree skirt.

How to make it: Wind the ribbon down the tree in loose spirals first. Add the blue baubles, then fill in with gold. Finish with the white skirt and a few blue wrapped gifts.

Give an Outside Wall a Big Red Bow Wreath

A plain fir wreath with one big red bow is the most classic outdoor decor there is. Hang it high on a brick wall or between two windows so it reads from the street. Choose a bow in wired ribbon so it holds its shape in the wind. Fluff the greenery and trim any long tips for a neat round outline. A brick clip means no drilling. For a grand entrance, add this garland arch over the door.

You will need: A fresh fir wreath, red wired ribbon, floral wire, pruning snips and a brick clip or masonry hook.

How to make it: Fluff and trim the wreath. Tie a large bow with long tails and wire it to the top or bottom. Hang it on the clip and shape the bow loops by hand.

Scatter Gold Jingle Bells With Tiny Trees

Gold jingle bells are cheap, shiny and fun to mix into a gold color scheme. Scatter them with small bottle brush trees along a shelf, tie them onto napkins or string them on ribbon for a door hanger. A coat of gold spray paint turns plain silver bells gold in minutes. Keep the arrangement airy so each bell stands out on its own. They pair nicely with these tassel decorations.

You will need: Gold jingle bells in two sizes, mini bottle brush trees, thin ribbon and gold spray paint if needed.

How to make it: Paint any silver bells gold and let them dry. Group the trees in odd numbers along a shelf. Tuck the bells between them with plenty of space around each.

Tie a Copper Ribbon Bow on a Fresh Wreath

A wired copper ribbon bow softens an evergreen wreath and makes it feel elegant rather than rustic. Tie a loose bow with long tails, add a few small metallic bells near the knot and let the ends trail over the greenery. Copper, gold and bronze all sit happily with the gold theme. Hang it inside on a door or above a sideboard. For softer styling, see these shabby chic ideas.

You will need: An evergreen wreath, sheer copper wired ribbon, three small metallic bells and floral wire.

How to make it: Make a loose four loop bow and leave long tails. Wire the bow to the wreath and thread the bells onto the wire. Drape the tails across the greenery and tuck the ends in.

Finish Gifts With Velvet Ribbon Bows

Velvet ribbon gives a gift box instant luxury. Wrap boxes in patterned paper, then tie them with thick red velvet ribbon and a strand of gold cord. Add a gold paper flower or a glittered ornament at the knot. Velvet is soft and holds a full bow, so a little goes a long way. Leftover lengths look lovely tied on dining chairs too. Go bigger with these giant present decorations.

You will need: Wrapped gift boxes, wide red velvet ribbon, gold cord and small gold ornaments or paper flowers.

How to make it: Wrap the ribbon around the box in both directions and knot it on top. Tie the gold cord over the knot. Make the bow and slip an ornament under the cord.

Tuck Gold Stars Into a Pat Nixon Christmas Garland

Small gold stars tucked into fresh greenery add sparkle to a mantel, a table runner or a stair rail. Buy a bag of gold stars, or cut them from cardstock and coat them with Mod Podge and glitter. Wire them in every few inches with red berries and small pinecones. It is a gentle final touch for a Pat Nixon Christmas home and works on any budget. Lay it along a buffet with these sideboard decor ideas.

You will need: A fresh or faux greenery garland, gold stars, red berry picks, small pinecones and floral wire.

How to make it: Lay the garland flat and plan where each star will sit. Wire in the stars, berries and pinecones every few inches. Hang or drape the garland and fluff the greenery around each piece.