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| President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford in front of the Blue Room tree |
The Ford Holidays
The Ford’s family traditions were based on creativity, love and above all - thriftiness. Mrs. Ford had her family’s approach in mind when she chose “Patchwork Christmas” as the theme for 1974. Pastel blue calico fabric bows, tiny mirrors, wood animals, and calico quilted animal ornaments decorated the tree. In 1975, a “Children’s Christmas” was sponsored by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Abby Aldrich Folk Art Museum. The trees and house were decorated with antique toys and American crafts made from simple materials such as yarn and straw. For Christmas 1976, the year of the nation’s Bicentennial, Mrs. Ford chose “America is Love” for the theme. Big red velvet bows, handmade flowers made from a variety of materials and Bicentennial dolls decorated the House. (Photos courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Library)
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| First Lady Ford pointing out Christmas ornaments on the White House tree. December 9, 1976. |
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| First Lady Ford treats the press to a preview of the Blue Room Christmas tree and its decorations, December 10, 1974. |
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| Close-up of traditional, handmade ornaments created by Colonial Williamsburg staff and volunteers, December 22, 1975. |
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| First Lady Betty Ford and her daughter, Susan, make their own hand-made Christmas ornaments for, November 19, 1975. |
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| View of the Blue Room Christmas tree featuring decorations with a Bicentennial motif during the 1976 Bicentennial year, December 14, 1976. |
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