2022 Richard M Nixon

The White House Historical Association’s 2022 Official White House Christmas Ornament commemorates the presidency of Richard M Nixon. The ornament represents what has become one of the homes’ most cherished holiday traditions – the official White House gingerbread house.

Prior to Nixon’s presidency, gingerbread had been used for decorating Christmas trees, and, at times, gifts of gingerbread houses had been sent to the White House, but it was not until 1969 that the first official White House gingerbread house was created. That year Assistant Chef Hans Raffert built a traditional German A-frame style house for the Nixon family and decorated it with white icing as well as colorful candies and gumdrops. He continued making a gingerbread house in this fashion every year until his retirement in 1992.

*White House ornaments are NOT eligible for Oval Namedrop.