December 23, 2014 Notes: Kennedy family Christmas stockings hung on the mantel of the Paul House in Palm Beach, Florida on December 24, 1962. The "loaned" Paul House gave the First Family some privacy away from the busy Palm Beach residence of nearby Joe and Rose.

Source: JFK Library. Image edited by Steven L. Brawley.

By Steven L. Brawley, Editor-in-Chief

December 21, 2014: A study of Jackie's favorite things provides us with a fun glimpse into what she might have wanted stuffed in her stocking or under the tree at 1040. What would Jackie want?

Clothing:

• Oleg Cassini
• Chanel
• The Gap
• Givenchy
• Carolina Herrera
• Lilly Pulitzer
• Pucci
• Valentino

Footwear:

• Keds
• Manolo Blahnik
• Ferragamo
• Starvos Melissinos sandals
• Jack Rogers sandals
• Tretorn
• Roger Vivier
• E. Vogel boots

Jewelry:

• Kenneth Jay Lane
• Tiffany
• Van Cleef & Arpels
• Harry Winston

Research by Steven L. Brawley

The White House 1961-1963

1961:

• White House Card: For the Kennedy's first official White House Christmas card, Hallmark creates a design that features a wide green silk screen band on a white stock accompanied by the official Presidential Seal and the sentiment “Season’s Greetings 1961” engraved in gold. The imprint reads: “The President and Mrs. Kennedy wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
• White House Staff Gift: For the Kennedys’ first Christmas in the White House in 1961, they give their staff a a color photograph by Cecil Stoughton of Caroline's ducks in the fountain on the South Lawn.
• November 8: Charles O. Finley, Chairman for the National Tuberculosis Association Campaign, and Dr. Henry Stuart Willis, President of the National Tuberculosis Association, present the 1961 Christmas Seals for the National Tuberculosis Association to Jackie in the Diplomatic Reception Room, White House, Washington, D.C
• December 12: Jackie visits with children at the D. C. Children's Hospital.
• December 13: Jackie unveils her "Nutcracker Suite" themed Christmas tree featuring trimmings derived from the ballet by Tchaikovsky in the Blue Room of the White House, Washington, D.C. Jackie wears a deep pink silk dress by Bergdorf Goodman (circa 1958). President Kennedy delivers annual holiday season message to the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• December 20: Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson lights the National Christmas tree - a 75-foot Washington state Douglas fir, initiating the first Pageant of Peace during the Kennedy administration. The President could not be present at the ceremony because his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, had recently suffered a stroke.

By Steven L. Brawley, Editor-in-Chief

December 13, 2014: Looking for some ways to have a Jackie themed Christmas? Here are some fun ideas:

• Amazon
• Danbury Mint
• Dapper and Dreamy
• Etsy
• Kennedy Center
• Kennedy Library
• QVC
• The Great American Doll Company
• The Hamilton Collection
• The Smithsonian
• The White House Historical Association

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy) - Jackie's 1961 Chez Ninon (Dior design) red wool day suit.