In the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sold Christmas trees from his own estate to local residents.

 Franklin D. Roosevelt cherished many Christmas traditions, which he celebrated with his family and White House staff during his presidency.

Born in 1882 in Hyde Park, New York, Roosevelt remained deeply connected to his hometown throughout his life. His political career began in 1910 when he was elected to the New York Senate. By 1912, he became chairman of the Forestry Committee, marking the start of his lifelong dedication to conservation. According to the National Park Service, Roosevelt began planting 20,000 to 55,000 trees annually on his Hyde Park estate in the 1930s.

Among these trees were Christmas trees, which Roosevelt grew and shared with local residents. The National Christmas Tree Association notes that some of these trees were even sent to Winston Churchill as gifts.

While in office, Roosevelt embraced the holiday season with great enthusiasm. He served 12 years as president, the longest term in U.S. history, spending 10 Christmases at the White House and the final two at Hyde Park. White House holiday traditions included a Christmas Eve party for staff, hosted by the president and first lady, and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. In 1933, Roosevelt delivered his first "fireside chat" holiday message to the nation, a tradition that became deeply cherished.

Christmas mornings often saw Roosevelt attending church services and exchanging gifts with his grandchildren. Festive meals featured dishes such as roasted turkey, chestnut dressing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce, with desserts like plum pudding, eggnog, and cakes.

The Roosevelt family’s holiday celebrations adapted to the challenges of the era. During World War II, for instance, four of Roosevelt’s sons were serving in the armed forces, leaving the family scattered. In 1942, the president gifted employees black leather folders filled with war savings bonds, and in 1944, a scroll featuring his "D-Day" prayer was distributed.

Roosevelt’s final Christmas message in 1944, delivered from Hyde Park, reflected his enduring hope for peace:

"We pray that with victory will come a new day of peace on earth in which all the Nations of the earth will join together for all time. That is the spirit of Christmas, the holy day. May that spirit live and grow throughout the world in all the years to come."

For 34 years, Roosevelt remained committed to planting trees on his estate, a testament to his lifelong dedication to the environment and the legacy of his beloved Hyde Park home.