which president banned christmas trees in the white house

You might be surprised to learn that it was none other than the first president of the United States, George Washington, who banned Christmas trees from the White House. In 1789, he issued a proclamation declaring December 25th a day of "public thanksgiving and praise" instead of a holiday for gift-giving or feasting. He felt that the practice of decorating trees with gifts and ornaments was too closely associated with pagan rituals and "unnecessary" spending. This decision remained in effect until 1809 when President James Madison lifted the ban and allowed Christmas trees to once again be displayed in the White House