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The Official 2017 White House Christmas ornament was designed to honor the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was president from 1933 to 1945. It remembers the story of how FDR strove to restore the faith of the American people in the wake of the Great Depression. The ornament is crafted from shiny brass plated with nickel and 24-karat gold.
The ornament was designed using elements that were connected to the life and legacy of FDR. The eagle cartouche emblazoned on the speaker’s stand at President Roosevelt’s first inauguration was the inspiration for the center piece of the 2017 ornament. The two flags which appear below the eagle have forty-eight stars each, representing the number of states in the union during Roosevelt’s four terms. The shape of the ornament is designed to resemble the silhouette of a tabletop radio. This is a reference to how many Americans had such radios in their homes and used to listen to President Roosevelt’s reassuring Fireside Chats. Roosevelt’s beloved Terrier, Fala, is pictured on the back of the ornament, sitting next to a festive Christmas tree and presents. A white leaf motif accents the ornament edges. It is based on exterior stone molding that adorned the White House north entrance. Four stars toward the top of the ornament represent Roosevelt’s historic four terms as president and the chevron border recalls the design of a card case he carried while serving in office.
The ornament sells for $20.95 each, but larger quantities sell at a discount.