First Lady Christmas Pictures

It looks a lot like Christmas at the White House, where First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the White House Christmas tree and unveiled 2012's decorations and theme — "joy to all" — at a White House holiday event for military families earlier this month. This is especially meaningful, considering the Blue Room tree is decorated this year with ornaments made by children whose military parents are based around the world.

Michelle's motif for the White House Christmas tree is the latest in a long line of themes, beginning when Jackie Kennedy first decorated it with Nutcracker Suite ornaments in 1961 (a popular theme that both Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton used during their time as first ladies).

Since President Benjamin Harrison and his family first introduced the indoor White House Christmas tree in the upstairs oval room in 1889, first wives have been integral in taking part in presidential holiday traditions. From the first White House gingerbread house in 1972 to the inaugural Hanukkah party in 2001, see our US presidents' better halves spread holiday cheer in Washington DC each December. As we dive into the holiday season, take a look back at how first ladies like Jackie Kennedy, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama got in the Christmas spirit over the years.